03-05-13: RABIES, DISEASE AND QUARANTINE:

   (1)   Afflicted Animals Prohibited: It is unlawful for a person other than a veterinarian or the county animal shelter to own, keep or harbor any animal afflicted with rabies.

   (2)   Duty To Detain: The sheriff or his/her designee or the owner shall secure the disposition of any animal afflicted with rabies.

   (3)   Suspect Animals: It is the duty of every owner of an animal showing symptoms of rabies, or for which the owner has no proof of current rabies vaccination, or which has bitten any person causing an abrasion of the skin, to surrender the animal for confinement and isolation at the county animal shelter or to a licensed veterinarian for a period not to exceed fifteen (15) days (but not less than 10 days from the date of the bite); provided, for the animals with proof of a current rabies vaccination, the sheriff or his/her designee has the discretion to allow the canine to be quarantined in the owner's home under such terms and conditions as the sheriff or his/her designee shall impose. If such animal shall be determined free of rabies, it shall be released from quarantine or returned to the owner upon payment of the regular fee for keeping such animal impounded, if applicable. If such fee is not paid, the animal shall be subject to disposal as provided in this section.

   (4)   Sterilization: If a canine over three (3) months of age is quarantined pursuant to this section and has not been sterilized, the owner or claimant must have the canine sterilized. The owner or claimant is responsible for the cost of sterilization.

   (5)   Redemption: If the owner of any canine impounded under this article shall fail to pay the required fees within twenty four (24) hours after actual notice to the owner, or within five (5) working (business) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after reasonable or diligent effort to notify the owner, the canine may be disposed of through adoption or through euthanasia.

   (6)   Contagious Diseased Animals: Any animal which has a contagious disease shall not be shipped or removed from the premises of the owner of such animal except under the supervision of the sheriff.

   (7)   Rabies Inoculation: It is unlawful to keep or harbor any canine or feline over the age of three (3) months in the county unless such canine or feline has been inoculated against rabies within the preceding three (3) years. (Ord. 11-010, 9-29-2011)