As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL Dogs and other mammals susceptible to rabies.
OWNER Includes any person having a right of property in any animal and any person who keeps or harbors an animal or has it in his or her care or allows it to remain on or about any premises occupied by him or her.
VETERINARIAN A graduate of a recognized school of veterinary medicine licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to allow such dog to run at large upon the public streets of the municipality or upon the property of others unless accompanied by the owner.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any cat to allow such cat to run at large upon the public streets of this municipality or upon the property of others unless accompanied by the owner.
It shall be the duty of the owner of any animal which has been bitten or injured by a rabid animal or which has been bitten or injured by a skunk, fox, raccoon or bat that is unavailable for testing to follow the following procedures set forth below:
A. Dogs and cats that are currently vaccinated against rabies shall be revaccinated immediately and shall be kept by the owner for an observation period of 90 days from the date the bite occurred at the home of the owner or at some other location acceptable to the Board of Health and in such a manner as will prevent it from escaping or running at large.
B. Unvaccinated dogs and cats shall be destroyed immediately. If the owner is unwilling to have this done, the unvaccinated animal shall be placed in strict isolation at a veterinary hospital or other location acceptable to the Board of Health for a period of six months. The animal shall be vaccinated one month before being released. Any other species of animal that is bitten by a high-risk animal shall be destroyed immediately. The owner of the animal may file an appeal to the Board of Health within 10 days of the bite or injury for the purpose of holding a hearing. The animal shall be held in strict isolation at a veterinary hospital pending a decision by the Board of Health following such hearing.
C. At the end of said observation period, the animal shall be examined by a veterinarian employed by the owner and a written report of the results of such examination shall be submitted to the Board of Health by the owner within 24 hours. If the report reveals no symptoms indicative of rabies, the animal may then be released from confinement.
D. If at any time during said observation period the animal develops symptoms indicative of rabies, such fact shall be communicated at once to the Board of Health, and the animal shall immediately be removed to a veterinary hospital acceptable to the Board.
E. If at any time during said observation period the animal should die, the owner shall immediately submit to the Board of Health the head of the animal for examination.