6.04.070 Rabies Control.
A. Vaccinations Required. No keeper of a dog shall keep or permit to be kept any dog within the City which does not have a currently effective rabies vaccination. All dogs shall be vaccinated for rabies as soon as their age permits which shall not be more than six (6) months after birth.
B. Quarantine of Animals.
1. Biting Animals. Any dog or other animal that bites a person or animal shall be quarantined for ten (10) days. If an animal control officer or police officer determines that the risk of the biting animal being infected with rabies is possible but not probable, the quarantine may be on the premises of the keeper. An animal quarantined on the premises of the keeper shall be securely confined in an enclosure which is at least fenced on all sides and from which the animal cannot escape, and which is not accessible to the public.
If an animal control officer or police officer determines that it is probable that the biting animal is infected with rabies, an animal control officer or a police officer may require the keeper to surrender the animal for the quarantine period to the animal shelter or place the animal in a veterinary hospital. The keeper shall pay all costs incurred during a period of quarantine.
2. Animals Susceptible to Rabies. Any animal for which probable cause exists to cause an animal control officer or a police officer to believe that it may be rabid or susceptible to being rabid may be quarantined by an animal control officer or a police officer under the terms and conditions for biting animals set forth in subsection (1) of this Section.
3. Removal of Quarantined Animals from Keeper’s Premises. An animal quarantined on the keeper’s premises under the provisions of either subsections (1) or (2) of this Section may be taken from the keeper’s premises if it is under control by greater restraint than being “at heal.”
4. Removal of Quarantined Animals from the City. Any dog or other animal quarantined after biting or for being susceptible to rabies under the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this Section may be transported from the city during a period of quarantine if it has been vaccinated and a certificate to that effect certifying that such vaccination was in effect at the time the quarantine was imposed is shown to the animal control officer.
C. Rabies Control-Killing of Animals Suspected of Rabies Prohibited. No person shall kill or cause to be killed any animal which has bitten a person or another animal, or any animal suspected of being rabid except as needed to prevent immediate injury or death to another animal or to a person until after the animal has been placed in quarantine and a diagnosis of suspected rabies is made by a licensed veterinarian. If a veterinarian diagnoses rabies in an animal in quarantine, then the animal shall be humanely destroyed and appropriate tests performed if needed or desired by an animal control officer.
D. Impoundment of Animals-Notification-Reclaiming-Disposition.
1. Place of Impoundment. Any dog or other animal impounded as authorized by the provisions of Section 6.04.050J shall be confined to and kept in the municipal animal shelter, or other suitable animal shelter, for not less than:
a. 144 hours in the case of a dog wearing a license identification tag issued pursuant to the provisions of Sections 6.04.025 and 6.04.030; or
b. 72 hours in the case of a dog not wearing such a license tag; unless reclaimed by its keeper or an unauthorized representative thereof.
2. Notification. Upon impoundment of any dog under the provisions of 6.04.050 D (1), the animal control officer shall give notice of the impoundment as follows:
a. As soon as possible after impoundment, notify the keeper if known of the impoundment by telephone, or if notification is not possible by telephone, then in writing. The notification shall contain a description of the dog, any license number, the reason for impoundment, and the terms upon which such dog may be reclaimed. Written notice shall be served personally upon the keeper, or if the keeper cannot be found, then upon any person of suitable age and discretion residing at the keeper’s residence. If personal or substituted service cannot be accomplished, then notice shall be served by certified mail, return receipt requested.
b. If the keeper of an impounded dog is unknown, then written notice of the impoundment containing the information required under subsection (a) shall be posted as soon as possible after impoundment in a conspicuous place at the municipal animal shelter and at two other public places in the City of Kettle Falls.
3. Reclaiming. A keeper of a dog may reclaim such dog by paying all:
a. Impound fees;
b. Boarding fees; and
c. Applicable license fees as established by resolution of the City Council pursuant to the provisions of Sections 6.04.025 and 6.04.030. (See Attachment A, Ord. 1556, 1998)
4. Disposition. Any dog which is not claimed by its keeper or an authorized representative thereof within:
a. 144 hours in the case of dogs wearing or bearing license identification numbers; or
b. 72 hours in the case of dogs not wearing or bearing license identification numbers;
of notice of the impoundment having been given to its keeper shall become the property of the City and may be placed for adoption in a new home subject to the payment of the applicable fees as established by resolution of the City Council pursuant to the provisions of Sections 6.04.150 and 6.04.180, or humanely euthanized. (See Attachment A, Ord. 1556, 1998)
E. Care of Impounded Dogs. Injured or diseased dogs impounded and needing medical care may be delivered to a veterinarian for treatment and the costs of treating and maintaining a dog in a veterinary hospital shall be paid by the keeper of such dog.
F. Impound Fees and Boarding Fees. All dogs impounded at the animal shelter shall be subject to an impound fee and boarding fees as may be established by resolution of the City Council, in addition to any other fees established pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.04.160. (See Attachment A, Ord. 1556, 1998)
G. Removal of Impounded Dog Without Payment of Fees. No person unless authorized by the Chief of Police to do so, shall remove, allow, or cause to be removed from the animal shelter any dog without the payment of the impounded fee, boarding fee, and other fees established pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.04.160.