Section 6.08.090 Rabies.
A. Every dog or other animal which has been bitten by
or exposed to any animal suspected to
have been infected with rabies shall be seized and impounded by the animal control officer. All
such animals shall be quarantined in the animal shelter or at a licensed veterinarian hospital for a
period of ten days, at the owner's expense. It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to notify
the health officer of every such animal impounded.
B. If, after observation under the supervision of the
city health officer for such period, any
such animal is adjudged free of rabies, the owner may reclaim the animal upon payment of the
regular keeping fees and upon compliance with licensing requirements.
C. In the event that any animal under quarantine is diagnosed
as being rabid, it shall be
disposed of only under the orders and directions of the health officer in his/her absolute discretion.
D. No person shall kill, or cause to be killed, any animal
suspected of being rabid, unless such
action is necessary to protect lives or property.
E. If a veterinarian diagnoses rabies in an animal in
quarantine, then the animal shall be
humanely killed and the head of such animal shall be sent to a laboratory for pathological
examination and confirmation of diagnosis.
F. Nothing herein shall prevent disposition of a vicious
dog that does not have rabies. (Ord.
172 (part), 2000: Ord. 131 (part), 1998: prior code § 8.02.550)
