§ 5-127. Confinement of biting, scratching animals; sterilization required for biting animals.

(a)

The owner of any animal within the city which has bitten or scratched a person so as to have caused an abrasion of the skin shall, on demand of the director or any animal care officer, immediately surrender such animal to the animal care services facility, or other approved rabies quarantine facility for observation for a period lasting not more than ten (10) days after the date of the incident, subject to the provisions of subsection (b).

(b)

The owner of any animal that has bitten or scratched any person shall be allowed to assume personal responsibility for confining the animal for the observation period of ten (10) days, only under the following circumstances:

(1)

Secure facilities must be available at the home of the animal's owner, and must be approved by the director;

(2)

The animal was currently vaccinated against rabies when the exposure incident occurred;

(3)

The animal was not in violation of any laws or ordinances at the time of the bite; and

(4)

The director, city veterinarian or a licensed veterinarian must observe the animal at least on the first and last days of the quarantine period. If the animal becomes ill during the observation period, the director must be notified by the person having possession of the animal. At the end of the observation period, the release from quarantine must be accomplished in writing by the veterinarian who will attest to the health of the animal.

(c)

If an animal is believed to have rabies or has been bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies, such animal shall be quarantined for observation by a veterinarian for the appropriate period as required by state law.

(d)

Violation of the observation confinement of the biting animal as provided in subsection (b) shall be just cause for seizure and confinement of the animal in the animal care services facility of the city.

(e)

All wild animals involved in exposure incidents including biting, scratching or any other direct exposure by physical contact will be humanely euthanized in such a manner that the brain is not mutilated. The brain shall be submitted to a Texas Department of State Health Services certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.

(f)

Any dog or cat that bites a person or domestic animal without provocation or a dog that bites a person or domestic animal while the dog was found free of restraint shall be required to be sterilized within thirty (30) days following the quarantine period. For pets impounded at the animal care services facility, the director may require the sterilization surgery to be completed by the department at the owner's expense prior to its release back to the owner.

(Ord. No. 2010-06-17-0555, § 1, 6-17-10; Ord. No. 2017-10-05-0755 , § 1, 10-5-17)