§ 4-11. Procedure when animal bites a human being.

Whenever any domesticated animal owned, kept, or harbored within the city limits bites or scratches a human being, the following procedure shall be followed:

(1)

The animal shall be considered a rabies suspect. The animal shall be immediately taken to and impounded at a veterinary hospital where the animal shall be kept isolated and under observation for a period of ten (10) days for the purpose of determining whether or not it is infected with rabies. In the event it is determined that the animal is so infected, it shall be immediately destroyed.

(2)

All costs incurred by reason of the impoundment and examination of the rabies suspect animal shall be borne by the owner of the animal.

(3)

Upon expiration of the ten-day confinement period, if the animal is determined by the veterinarian not to be infected, the animal shall either be retrieved by the owner or without delay transported to an animal shelter for further confinement. Transporting said animal shall be the responsibility of the enforcement officer.

(4)

No owner shall be entitled to the return of the animal from the veterinary hospital or animal shelter unless he shall first have paid the city for all costs incurred by reason of the confinement. The costs shall be paid in the office of the city clerk and no animal will be released to its owner without a receipt signed by the city clerk.

(5)

If the owner has not paid costs and retrieved the animal within seven (7) days of impoundment at an animal shelter, the animal shall be destroyed in a humane manner.

(Code 1978, § 235.090; Ord. No. 96-67, § I, 9-24-96)