Sec. 4-79. - Disposition of biting animals and rabies suspects.

(a)

Every animal which bites a person shall be promptly reported to the animal control officer, and shall thereupon be securely quarantined at the direction of the animal control officer for a period of 14 days, and shall not be released from such quarantine except by written permission of the animal control officer. At the discretion of the animal control officer, such quarantine may be on the premises of the owner, at the shelter designated as the city public pound, or, at the owner's option and expense, in a veterinary hospital of his/her choice. In the case of stray animals, or in the cases of animals whose ownership is not known, such quarantine shall be at the shelter designated by the animal control officer.

(b)

The owner, upon demand by the animal control officer, shall forthwith surrender any animal which has bitten a human, or which is suspected as having been exposed to rabies, for supervised quarantine, the expense of which shall be borne by the owner. Said animal may be reclaimed by the owner if it is adjudged free of rabies, upon payment of the fees set forth in this chapter.

(c)

If an animal bites a person and such animal has not been properly vaccinated, such animal shall be quarantined at the city public pound. Prior to its return to the owner, the animal shall be properly inoculated at the direction of the officer in charge of the shelter and the costs of such inoculation shall be borne by the owner of the animal in addition to the cost of the quarantine.

(Code 1971, § 3-54)