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State law reference—Rabies Control, Texas Health, and Safety Code § 826.001 et seq.
It shall be the duty of every animal or livestock owner or harborer, veterinarian, physician, or any person to report to the local rabies control authority (LRCA) or their designee all cases of rabies with which he comes in contact or to which his attention has been directed. This report shall be made immediately upon diagnosis or suspicion of a case of rabies.
(Ordinance 58-2024 adopted 11/5/2024)
Every physician or other medical practitioner who treats a person or persons for any animal bite or scratch, or any person having knowledge of an animal bite or scratch shall immediately report the bite or scratch to the LRCA or their designee. The report should include the following information:
(1) 
Date and time the bite or scratch occurred;
(2) 
Name, age, and sex of the injured person;
(3) 
Any and all treatment received, if known; and
(4) 
Any other information as may be required by the LRCA or their designee.
(Ordinance 58-2024 adopted 11/5/2024)
(a) 
If any person alleges that an animal or livestock has bitten, scratched, or otherwise attacked a person within the city limits in a manner that caused a break in the skin of the person, he shall report the incident to the LRCA or their designee. It shall be the duty of the owner to deliver the animal or livestock for quarantine purposes either immediately or the next business day if the bite occurs after normal operating hours.
(b) 
Quarantine shall take place either at the ASC or at a local veterinary hospital for a period of at least ten (10) days (240 hours from the time of the incident).
(c) 
The LRCA may offer home quarantine on a limited basis as determined by the LRCA or director. All criteria for home quarantine as mandated by the LRCA must be met and approval received from the LRCA. If home quarantine is offered, owner shall allow LRCA, or designee, access to the home quarantine area for inspection prior to, and during the home quarantine. If LRCA determines tests are required, all fees associated with testing shall be borne by owner.
(d) 
Impoundment at any approved facility for rabies quarantine purposes shall be at the expense of the owner of the impounded animal or livestock. No animal or livestock confined for quarantine purposes under this article shall be released to any person until all vaccinations required under section 14-41 have been paid for and scheduled with a licensed veterinarian.
(e) 
Any owner or harborer of an animal or livestock that has bitten or scratched a person within the city who fails to turn over the animal for quarantine, or refuses to allow the quarantine of the animal or livestock pursuant to this section, or attempts to interfere with impoundment, shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine set out under the provisions of this article. Each day of refusal constitutes a separate and individual violation. Violators will receive a citation for each day the animal is not quarantined.
(f) 
Unvaccinated animals shall not be vaccinated against rabies during the ten (10) day (240 hours) observation period; however, animals may be treated for unrelated medical problems diagnosed by a veterinarian.
(g) 
Animals requiring quarantine at the animal services center must be spayed/neutered within thirty (30) days after being released from quarantine. The owner must schedule and provide proof of an appointment and prepayment prior to picking the animal up from quarantine.
(Ordinance 58-2024 adopted 11/5/2024)
The following measures shall be followed for an animal under quarantine that is not showing signs of rabies and requires treatment or unrelated medical care from a veterinarian:
(1) 
The veterinary hospital/clinic shall be contacted and notified of the incoming animal and quarantine status.
(2) 
The ACO shall follow all veterinary hospital/clinic rules and/or policies regarding quarantine animals coming into the facility.
(3) 
The animal shall remain quarantined and away from other animals at all times.
(4) 
The ACO shall be responsible for safe transport to and from the veterinary hospital/clinic.
(5) 
The owner is responsible for meeting the ACO at the veterinary hospital/clinic and paying for all associated veterinary care.
(Ordinance 58-2024 adopted 11/5/2024)
It shall be the duty of the LRCA or their designee to obtain a seizure warrant for the seizure and quarantine of an animal that has bitten or scratched a person or animal if the harborer refuses to release the animal for quarantine.
(Ordinance 58-2024 adopted 11/5/2024)
(a) 
Conditions warranting.
A citywide quarantine may be invoked by the local health authority for a period of 30 days after an investigation determines an immediate threat of rabies exists.
(b) 
Animals in public restricted.
It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any animal to be taken, whether restrained or not, into any public place during a period of citywide quarantine.
(c) 
Extension of time.
Additional positive cases of rabies that occur during a period of citywide quarantine may be grounds for an extension of the quarantine period for a reasonable period of time.
(Ordinance 58-2024 adopted 11/5/2024)