§ 3-17. Bites by animals.

(a)

Animal control shall investigate reports in which animals have bitten, and/or scratched persons or animals. It shall be the responsibility of animal control to obtain details on the bite cases, and to conduct an investigation of the animal to determine if it is suffering from rabies.

(b)

Any animal suspected of biting a person shall be placed under quarantine to determine if the animal is capable of transmitting or exposing humans or other persons and/or animals to rabies. This quarantine shall be for a period of not less than ten days after the biting of such person.

(c)

The owner of the animal required to be quarantined under subsection (b) shall surrender the animal to the animal control officer immediately, or otherwise arrange for the animal control officer to pick up and retain such animal, in a separate kennel at the animal shelter, or in quarters supervised by a veterinarian whose facility is located within the city limits of Terrell for the period of the quarantine. Should the animal be released to the animal control officer to be retained at the animal shelter, the owner of the animal held in quarantine shall be charged a fee for every day or faction of a day the animal is at the animal shelter. This fee is in addition to any impoundment fee. Upon release from quarantine, the owner may redeem the animal from the animal shelter or other quarters by payment of the applicable fees.

(d)

It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with the enforcement of this section or fail or refuse to surrender to an animal control officer any animal involved or suspected of being involved in a bite case, or otherwise fail or refuse to provide for the quarantine of animals as may be authorized by this chapter.

(e)

If an owner fails or refuses to surrender an animal to the animal control officer for quarantine under this chapter, the animal control officer may apply to the judge of the municipal court of the city for a warrant to seize the animal. The officer executing the warrant shall cause the animal to be impounded at the city animal shelter.

(Ord. No. 2520, Art. I, 3-6-12)