Chapter 9.32 — PROTECTION AGAINST RABIES—QUARANTINE

Whenever the owner of any dog observes or learns that such dog has shown symptoms of rabies or has acted in a manner which would lead a reasonable person to suspect that it might have rabies, or that it has been bitten by a dog having rabies or suspected of having rabies, or otherwise exposed to rabies, or has bitten a human being, such person shall immediately notify the health officer and shall immediately confine the dog.

(Ord. No. 21-01, § 1(Exh. A), 5-4-2021)

Whenever any dog has bitten any human being or whenever the health officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that the dog has rabies, he is empowered to immediately quarantine the dog either upon the premises of the owner or within the county pound. Such quarantine shall be by written notice served upon the owner of the dog and shall contain the statement that the dog is quarantined and the instructions to be followed. If the quarantine is upon the premises of the owner of the dog, it shall be immediately confined within a locked enclosure so constructed that it cannot escape or have contact with any other animal or human being other than the person responsible for its care, or at the discretion of the health officer it may be kept under restraint by leash in charge of a responsible person or under such other restriction as the health officer may deem necessary; provided, however, that the owner may, in lieu of quarantine of the animal upon the premises, place the same in care of a duly licensed veterinarian for the purpose of confinement. The owner of any such dog quarantined on the premises shall immediately report to the health officer any change in disposition or unusual actions of the dog. The dog shall be kept quarantined and restrained until the health office shall in writing order its destruction or release. Where such dog is quarantined in the county pound, it shall be restrained for a sufficient period to determine whether or not it is infected with rabies and thereupon shall be destroyed if determined to be rabid, or if not, released to the owner. Upon its release the owner thereof shall be notified in writing and the dog shall be released to him upon the payment of the sum of seventy-five cents for each day the dog has been detained in the pound as a charge for keeping such animal; provided, however, that if no person lawfully entitled thereto appears

within six days from the date of the giving of such written notice and claims the dog and pays for such charges, it may be sold or destroyed as provided in Chapter 9.28.

(Ord. No. 21-01, § 1(Exh. A), 5-4-2021)

When any dog is quarantined, it is unlawful for the owner or person in possession thereof to violate the quarantine by removing the dog from the premises, allowing it to run at large, destroying it without authorization, concealing it from the health officer or disobeying any other quarantine restriction which may have been imposed by the health officer.

(Ord. No. 21-01, § 1(Exh. A), 5-4-2021)