§ 6-67. Confinement when rabies suspected.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    Upon the request of any person who has been bitten by a dog or other animal within the corporate city limits (or by a parent or legal guardian of a person bitten who is under a disability), the animal control officer shall take such dog or animal, or a plurality of same if they are reasonably suspected of the biting, into custody and confine and quarantine same under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, who shall keep such dog or animal in quarantine until he shall issue his certificate that:

    (1)

    He has complied with the observation provisions of A.C.A. § 20-19-306; and

    (2)

    The dog or other animal appears to be free of infection of rabies (hydrophobia).

    (b)

    Any dog or other animal having rabies, or symptoms thereof, or suspected of having rabies, or which has been exposed to rabies, shall be immediately released by the owner or custodian of such dog or animal to the animal control officer and the animal control officer shall confine such dog or animal in quarantine as provided for in subsection (a) of this section.

    (c)

    When the licensed veterinarian supervising the quarantine of any dog or other animal quarantined under subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall issue the certificate provided for in subsection (a) of this section, the owner of such dog or animal may retake custody of it upon tender to such veterinarian or the city animal control officer of his customary and reasonable fees and charges for impounding, boarding, lodging, observation and testing; except a person who is bitten by an animal while baiting, teasing or molesting such animal or while trespassing on the premises of the owner or keeper of such animal shall pay all customary and reasonable charges and fees resulting from his request to have such animal confined and quarantined.

    (d)

    The fee for quarantining an animal at the city animal shelter shall include board y as established by the city, an impound fee as established by the city, the cost of rabies vaccination and city license if applicable.

    (e)

    If any dog or other animal confined under subsections (a) and (b) of this section is not reclaimed by its owner, such dog shall be released by the veterinarian to the animal control officer who shall treat such dog or animal as one found running at large within the corporate city limits. If an animal is vicious, it can be destroyed before quarantine time is over, for the protection of shelter staff.

(Code 1973, § 9.04.120; Ord. No. 1867, § 12, 1999)