Any person having knowledge of the existence of any animal known to have been, or suspected of being, exposed to rabies or having knowledge of an animal bite or scratch to an individual that the person could reasonably foresee as capable of transmitting rabies must immediately report such knowledge or incident to the animal control officer, city health authority or any police officer, and in no case longer than twenty-four (24) hours from the time of the incident.
(2014 Code, sec. 70.20)
The animal control officer, any police officer, or the city health authority shall have the authority to order the quarantine of animals responsible for bite incidents or suspected of having any zoonotic disease considered to be a hazard to human population or other animals.
(2014 Code, sec. 70.21)
(a) 
When a dog or cat which has bitten or scratched a human or attacks another animal has been identified, the owner shall be required to produce the animal for ten (10) days’ confinement to determine whether such dog or cat has been exposed to rabies. Any unclaimed animal may be destroyed for rabies diagnosis prior to the end of this observation period. The dog or cat may be released from quarantine if a veterinarian determines that the animal does not show the clinical signs of rabies, provided the owner has paid all reasonable costs associated with the quarantining. Refusal to produce such animal is a misdemeanor and each day of such refusal constitutes a separate and individual violation. Quarantine must be at an approved vet at the owner’s expense. Written notification must be received by the vet.
(b) 
No animal which has a high probability of transmitting rabies, including skunks, bats, foxes and raccoons, will be placed in quarantine for observation. All such animals involved in biting incidents will be humanely killed in such a manner that the brain is not mutilated. The brain shall be submitted to a laboratory certified by the department of state health services for rabies diagnosis.
(c) 
The city health authority may require an animal which has inflicted multiple bite wounds, punctures, or lacerations to the face, head, or neck of a person to be humanely killed and the brain tested for rabies.
(2014 Code, sec. 70.22)
(a) 
Domestic animals.
(1) 
Vaccinated animals which have been bitten or otherwise significantly exposed to a rabid animal should be humanely destroyed or, if sufficient justification for preserving the animal exists, the exposed vaccinated animal should be immediately given a booster rabies vaccination and placed in strict isolation for forty-five (45) days. Unvaccinated animals shall be immediately given a rabies vaccination and placed in strict isolation for ninety (90) days and given booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks of isolation. If the unvaccinated animal is under three (3) months of age at the time of the second vaccination, an additional booster should be given when the animal reaches three (3) months of age.
(2) 
If a veterinarian determines that a quarantined animal does not show the clinical signs of rabies, it may be released to the owner prior to or upon expiration of the quarantine period, provided the owner has paid all of the reasonable costs of such quarantine and any veterinarian bills.
(3) 
However, if the quarantined animal shows the clinical signs of the disease of rabies, the animal shall be humanely destroyed and its head or brain submitted to the nearest laboratory certified by the department of state health services for rabies diagnosis.
(b) 
Wild or exotic animals.
No wild or exotic animal will be placed in quarantine. All wild or exotic animals will be humanely destroyed in such a manner that the brain is not mutilated. The brain will then be submitted to a laboratory certified for rabies diagnosis in order to be tested.
(c) 
Quarantine facilities.
(1) 
Any animal to be placed in quarantine must be placed in an animal control facility approved by the department of state health services.
(2) 
If the biting animal cannot be maintained in secure quarantine, it shall be humanely destroyed and the brain submitted to a laboratory certified by the department of state health services for rabies diagnosis.
(2014 Code, sec. 70.23; Ordinance adopting 2021 Code)