A. If any person is a victim of an animal bite, he shall immediately notify the County Health Department of the incident, and provide a description of the animal and the identification, if possible, of the owner. When an animal is determined to have bitten a person, the animal shall be confined in quarantine for a period of not less than 10 days. The owner or person having had such custody shall immediately make a report to the County Health Department when and if such a dog dies and shall in addition have a licensed veterinarian preserve the head in ice for examination. If the dog/cat lives beyond such period, the fact will also be reported to the County Health Department.

B. If the owner of an animal which has bitten a person has proof of current rabies inoculations, the animal may be left in charge of the owner, under quarantine, unless, in the judgment of the Animal Control Officer, and based upon considerations of public safety, the Animal Control Officer determines it should be removed to an animal shelter or veterinary hospital for the period of observation.

C. In addition to any other legal obligations prescribed by law, the owner shall be liable for all costs incurred in the quarantine of the animal.

D. If the ownership of the biting animal cannot be determined, or if the owner does not furnish proof of current rabies inoculation, the animal shall be impounded under the authority of the County Animal Control Agency and confined in the County’s animal control facility for the period of observation of not less than 10 days.

E. Animal Control Officers shall be empowered to enter onto private property for the purposes of impounding animal(s) which are known to have bitten a person and shall obtain legal process to do so if necessary.

F. Unless otherwise provided, the County and any of its agents shall comply with the standards set forth in IC 15-2.1-6-1 through 15-2.1-6-13 entitled “Rabies.” [Ord. 12-1-97D § 1; Code 1988 § 74.08.]