§ 3.01.010. Persons bitten by dog, cat or other animal

(a)

Should any person or animal be bitten or scratched by a dog or cat ("suspect dog or cat" herewith), such suspect dog or cat shall be quarantined for observation for a period of not less than ten days immediately following the date of the bite incident. For a temporary period of time pending quarantine, upon receipt of knowledge of the bite or scratch incident, such suspect dog or cat shall be confined by the owner in a building or secure enclosure or securely chained to prevent escape or injury to said suspect dog or cat and to prevent contact with other persons or animals.

(b)

Failure of the owner of a suspect dog or cat to act as herein described shall constitute an offense, and each hour of failure to comply with these provisions after receipt of knowledge of the incident by the owner will constitute a separate offense.

(c)

Should any person or animal be bitten or scratched by an animal of a species known to be a rabies carrier, not a dog or cat ("suspect animal"), and not a wild animal, such suspect animal shall be immediately delivered to the city animal shelter by the owner or person in control of the animal for examination and determination by the city veterinarian whether such suspect animal is to be quarantined (including the length and type of quarantine) after consultation with the veterinarian(s) who has previously attended said animal. Provided, however, if after examination and consultation as provided above, the city veterinarian determines that euthanasia for rabies determination is appropriate, such shall be done.

(d)

Quarantine arrangements for a suspect dog or cat or suspect animal shall be made by the owner of such suspect dog or cat or suspect animal within 24 hours of receipt of knowledge by the owner of the bite or scratch with the animal services department of the city. Failure of the owner of such suspect dog or cat or suspect animal to make quarantine arrangements and so advise the animal services department shall constitute an offense and each hour of failure to comply with this provision following the 24 hour time limit shall constitute a separate offense.

(e)

Quarantine of a suspect dog or cat or suspect animal shall be accomplished by one of the following methods:

(1)

Said animal may be quarantined by the city animal shelter under supervision of the veterinarian employed by the city.

(2)

Said animal may be quarantined at the clinic or hospital of any licensed veterinarian in the immediate area.

(3)

Said animal may be home quarantined upon approval of the animal services director.

(f)

Regardless of the place of quarantine, the animal shall be examined at the initiation of the quarantine and again at the conclusion of the quarantine period by a licensed veterinarian, who shall notify the animal services department of his findings from said examinations.

(g)

Any quarantined suspect dog, cat or ferret not vaccinated against rabies nor registered with the city during the 12-month period immediately preceding the date of the bite or scratch incident shall be vaccinated by the attending veterinarian at the conclusion of the quarantine period, and the animal shall be registered before being released.

(h)

The owner of the quarantined suspect dog or cat or suspect animal shall pay all fees incident to the quarantine prior to release of the animal from quarantine by the veterinarian except, if the animal bit or scratched the owner or a member of his immediate family, such animal may, at the discretion of the local rabies control authority, be quarantined at the home of the owner, provided the veterinary examination of said animal at the beginning of the quarantine period reveals no reason to suspect the presence of rabies in said animal. Should there be any doubt as to the rabies status of said animal by the examining veterinarian, then quarantine shall be accomplished by one of the methods described above, or the animal destroyed as described herein. Said animal must be examined at the conclusion of the quarantine by a veterinarian and all other portions of this section shall apply.

(i)

In the event the owner of a suspect dog, cat or ferret is unknown, said animal shall be considered a stray and it shall be quarantined at the city animal shelter. Should a person subsequently appear and claim said dog, cat or ferret, then said person shall be considered as the owner and be liable for all fees incident to the quarantine as described herein. If all fees are not paid within three days following the quarantine period at the city animal shelter, said dog, cat or ferret may be sold or destroyed by the animal services director.

(j)

Any animal suspected of being infected with rabies may be destroyed immediately upon recommendation of a licensed veterinarian for determination of rabies.

(k)

Any wild animal that is not a domesticated animal, without a licensing tag, found within the city corporate limits and subject to this section, may be euthanized by the animal services department or killed by a police officer and the head of said animal delivered to the animal shelter for rabies examination at the discretion of the local rabies control authority.

(l)

Whenever any animal bites any other animal, all regulations and requirements herein described shall apply to both the attacking animal and the animal that is bitten. Should an animal be bitten by an animal determined to have rabies, then it shall be handled by one of the following methods:

(1)

If not vaccinated against rabies for a period of at least 30 days and no more than 12 months immediately preceding the date of exposure, said animal shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 90 days immediately following the date of exposure at a veterinary hospital or the city animal shelter, with said animal being examined and vaccinated against rabies as required under current department of state health services regulations and reexamined at the end of the quarantine period by a licensed veterinarian, unless owner gives written consent to destroy it;

(2)

If vaccinated against rabies for a period at least 30 days and no more than 12 months immediately preceding exposure, said animal shall be given the appropriate rabies booster immediately and quarantined for 45 days; or

(3)

Euthanasia.

(1996 Code, art. 3.1500; Ordinance adopted 9-18-07, § 4; Ordinance adopted 10-6-15)

State law reference

Rabies reports and quarantine, V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code, sec. 826.041 et seq.