§ 4. RABIES CONTROL

A.

DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise defined in this chapter, the definitions as stated in the current or latest "Rabies Control and Eradication Rules" of the Texas Department of Health shall apply in the interpretation of this chapter.

B.

REPORT OF ANIMAL ATTACKS

Any person having knowledge of an animal bite or scratch or other attack on an individual or 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 any victim and of the owner of the animal, if known, and any other information which may aid in the locating of the victim or the animal. The person shall make said report as soon as possible, but not later than twenty-four (24) hours from the time of the incident.

C.

KILLING ANIMALS WITH RABIES, ETC

It is hereby made the duty of the sheriff and his certified deputies, the chief of police and his certified officers or the animal control officer or his duly authorized representative and Galveston County constables and their full time salaried deputies to exterminate any and all animals at large, where said animals are, or appear to be, affected with rabies, or any other infectious, contagious, or dangerous disease or when an animal is attacking, or when such animal is sick, injured, or in such other condition as it may not be expected to live; provided that any animal suspected of rabies shall be killed in such a manner as not to damage the brain. It shall not be necessary to impound or advertise such animals by posting notice, notifying the owner or otherwise, but it shall be the duty of said officers to exterminate any and all such animals instantly; provided, however, that the officer killing such animals and before disposing of same, shall report it to the animal control officer who shall order the disposal of the carcass as he deems necessary and said officer shall further submit a written report to the animal control officer containing the facts thereof.

D.

QUARANTINING OF RABIES SUSPECTS

1.

Approved shelter.

Any animal that has rabies or symptoms thereof, or that bites, scratches or otherwise attacks any person within the city shall be quarantined by the owner of said animal. The owner shall quarantine the animal as soon as possible, but not later than twenty-four (24) hours from the time of the incident. The quarantine period shall be ten (10) days or longer in a public or other place of confinement designated or approved by the animal control officer and under such conditions and in such a manner as may be prescribed by the animal control officer. It shall be a violation of this chapter for the owner or any other person to remove any animal that is required to be quarantined or euthanized or which is otherwise in violation of these rules from the jurisdiction of the city without written permission from the animal control officer.

2.

Release animal to animal control officer.

The owner, keeper or person in charge of any animal that has rabies, or that has been exposed to rabies, or that has symptoms thereof, or that has bitten, scratched or otherwise attacked any person or other animal or that is in quarantine as a rabies suspect, shall on demand, turnover said animal to the animal control officer.

3.

Unowned dogs and cats.

At the discretion of the animal control officer, an unowned dog or cat which has bitten a human may be humanely killed in such a manner that the brain is not mutilated. The brain shall be submitted to a T.D.H. certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.

4.

High risk animals.

If the biting animal is a high risk animal it shall be humanely killed and the brain submitted for rabies testing.

5.

Low risk animals.

If the biting animal is a low risk animal, a quarantine or rabies test will not be required unless the animal control officer has cause to believe the biting animal is rabid.

6.

Wild animals.

No wild animal will be placed in quarantine. All wild animals involved in biting incidents will be humanely killed in such a manner that the brain is not mutilated. T.D.H. certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis. If the biting animal is a high risk animal, it shall be humanely killed and the brain submitted for rabies.

7.

Exceptions.

Any animal inflicting a severe bite to an individual shall be humanely killed and the brain tested for rabies. An exception to this requirement may be granted by the local health authority providing the following criteria are met:

a.

The biting animal is a domestic dog or domestic cat;

b.

It is currently vaccinated against rabies; and

c.

It was not in violation of any law at the time of the bite.

If an exception is granted, the dog or cat shall be quarantined in accordance with this chapter. However, home quarantine is prohibited.

8.

Head submitted - Quarantine.

If the biting animal is not a dog or cat or is not included in Section 4, Subsections D(3), (4), (5), or (6), of this chapter, the biting animal will be humanely killed and the brain tested for rabies or the local health authority may require the animal to be quarantined for thirty (30) days as an alternate method to killing and testing.

9.

Home quarantine.

Whenever and wherever in this chapter an animal is required to be impounded or confined in quarantine, the time, place and method of impoundment or confinement shall be at the discretion of the animal control officer; however, the owner of the animal may request permission from the animal control officer for home quarantine if the following criteria can be met:

a.

Secure quarantine facilities are available at the home of the animal's owner and are approved by the animal control officer;

b.

The animal is currently vaccinated against rabies;

c.

The animal control officer or a licensed veterinarian observes the animal at least on the first and last day of the quarantine period. If the animal becomes ill during the observation period, the animal control officer 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; and

d.

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

e.

The owner of the animal was not in violation of a law at the time of the bite or at the time of ordered confinement.

10.

Submitted to laboratory.

Any animal ordered confined in quarantine that cannot be maintained or placed for any reason in secure quarantine, shall be humanely destroyed and the brain submitted to a T.D.H. certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis. The owner of an animal which has been declared dangerous or vicious that bites a person shall, upon demand, turn over the animal to the regulatory authority. The regulatory authority shall humanely kill the animal and the brain shall be submitted for rabies examination.

11.

Fees and costs.

Transportation, capture, laboratory cost, veterinarian fees, impoundment or quarantine costs, euthanasia, body disposal, and any and all other fees, costs, charges and duties shall be the direct responsibility of the animal owner or custodian. Failure of the owner to pay such costs and fees shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

12.

Release or removal from quarantine prohibited.

No animal shall be released or removed from the place of approved confinement, except by the animal control officer, until after the ten-day quarantine period and then only after inspection of the animal has been made and its release approved by the animal control officer.

13.

Vaccination of quarantined animals.

No animal confined or quarantined as a rabies suspect as required herein shall be given a rabies vaccination until after the ten-day quarantine period. All unvaccinated animals will then be vaccinated.

14.

Rabies suspected.

If a quarantined animal is found to be rabid or, if in the opinion of the animal control officer or veterinarian, is suspected of being rabid, the animal control officer shall humanely destroy the animal or cause the animal to be humanely destroyed and the brain submitted to a T.D.H. certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.

(Ordinance No. 08-2016 of September 22, 2016, Sec. 2(Exh. A))