§ 3-12. Animal quarantine/animal bites.

(a)

Any animal that has rabies or symptoms which could reasonably indicate rabies or that bites, scratches or otherwise creates a condition which may expose or transmit the rabies virus to a human being shall be impounded immediately. Upon notification, the owner shall surrender the animal to the animal control officer for quarantine at the City of Gainesville designated quarantine facility, or with approval from the animal control officer deliver the animal to a state-approved veterinarian quarantine facility for quarantine at the owner's expense. Quarantine shall be for a minimum of ten (10) days beginning on the date the incident occurred or longer as the animal control officer may deem necessary. Animal quarantine shall be in accordance with any applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Texas Department of Health.

(b)

Quarantine shall be subject to the following conditions:

(1)

The quarantine animal showing clinical signs of rabies shall be immediately destroyed and the head submitted to the nearest Texas Department of Health laboratory for testing.

(2)

The animal placed in quarantine shall not be released without prior notification to and written approval from the animal control officer.

(3)

Home quarantine at the residence of the owner, if approved by the animal control officer, must satisfy the following conditions:

a.

Secure facilities are available and approved by the animal control officer.

b.

The animal is currently vaccinated against rabies.

c.

The local rabies control authority must observe the animal on the first and last days of the quarantine period.

d.

The owner of the animal shall notify the animal control officer if the animal escapes, becomes or appears to become sick, or dies; and, in case of death of the animal while under quarantine, shall immediately surrender the dead animal to the animal control officer for diagnostic purposes.

e.

The animal is being isolated from all other animals, and human beings other than the individual(s) who own the animal.

(c)

A person who knows of an animal bite or scratch to an individual that the person could reasonably foresee as capable of transmitting rabies, or who knows of an animal that the person suspects is rabid shall report the incident or animal to the animal control officer. The report shall include the name and address of the victim and owner of the animal, and any other information relating to the incident or animal.

(d)

The owner shall submit for quarantine an animal that:

(1)

Is reported rabid or has exposed an individual to rabies; or

(2)

The owner knows or suspects is rabid or has exposed an individual to rabies; or

(3)

Has bitten, scratched or otherwise created a condition which may have exposed or transmitted the rabies virus to any human being.

(e)

When submitted for quarantine, the owner shall provide the name, address and any other relevant information about the animal.

(f)

The owner of a quarantined animal shall pay all reasonable costs of the quarantine and disposition of the animal, including charges for shipment of animal tissues, if required, to the Texas Department of Health laboratory for testing.

(g)

An animal that has been quarantined may be released, after the local rabies control authority determines that the quarantined animal does not show clinical signs of rabies and under the following conditions:

(1)

At the end of the observation period upon proof of vaccination prior to release from quarantine.

(2)

When all applicable fees have been paid.

(3)

If the animal is not being held up for legal proceedings.

(4)

If appropriate city registration has been completed.

(h)

It shall be unlawful for any person to interrupt the observation period or otherwise interfere with quarantine.

(i)

It shall be unlawful for any person to destroy or remove from the city any animal that has bitten a person or other animal or that has been placed under quarantine, except when necessary to protect the life of any person or other animal or otherwise approved by the local rabies control authority.

(j)

The carcass of a dead animal exposed to rabies or suspected of having been rabid, shall, upon demand, be surrendered to the local rabies control authority.

(k)

Wild animals shall not be placed in quarantine. Wild animals shall be humanely destroyed in such a manner the brain is not mutilated. The brain will then be submitted to a Texas Department of Health laboratory for testing.

(l)

No person shall fail or refuse to surrender an animal for quarantine or for destruction and testing when ordered by the local rabies control authority under the conditions outlined in this section.

(Ord. No. 1250-07-2010, § 3, 7-6-10)