§ 5-14. Procedure when animal has bitten person; quarantine fees.

(a)

Procedure. When any animal has bitten, scratched, mauled or otherwise attacked a person to the extent the skin tissue is penetrated or torn, that person or anyone having knowledge of such incident shall immediately notify the city of the incident. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of the animal to have the animal confined in the city animal control shelter or at a veterinary hospital approved by the city for a period of not less than ten days from the date of the exposure at the expense of the owner, and such animal shall, during such period of confinement, be subject to inspection by an animal control officer, or by a licensed veterinarian at any time. If after the ten-day period the animal is found to be in satisfactory health, the animal shall be released to its owner or keeper upon payment of all associated fees. If the animal is not claimed within three days, the animal control officer may provide for the disposal of the animal.

(b)

Exception to procedure. If the animal in question has a valid and current rabies vaccination, is the only animal in the household, and wasn't in violation of any provisional section of this chapter of the city's ordinances at the time of the exposure, the owner may be given the authority to quarantine the animal within his own home subject to inspection by an animal control officer at any time during the quarantine period. If an animal control officer determines noncompliance has occurred, approval for in-home quarantine shall be revoked and the animal shall be removed from the home and isolated at the city animal shelter immediately.

(c)

Quarantine fee. The owner is responsible for all associated fees, and any owner not wishing to claim a quarantined animal shall pay all associated costs plus the current release of ownership and euthanasia fees.

(Ord. No. 10-1843, § 1, 1-5-2010)