§ 5-17. Sick, injured or contagious animals.

(a)

Impoundment of sick or injured animals. In any situation deemed appropriate by the animal control officer involving a sick or injured animal whose owner cannot be located and the condition of such animal is such that death or great suffering to the animal is likely, the animal control officer may take custody of such animal and may secure veterinary services for such animal. The owner of such animal shall be responsible for reimbursement of all expenses related to treatment and boarding of the animal.

(b)

Destruction of sick or injured animals. Any sick or injured animal, deemed by a licensed veterinarian to be suffering to such an extent that the humane destruction of the animal is appropriate and the owner of the animal cannot be located, shall be humanely destroyed by the veterinarian in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 4-11-5.1.

(c)

Infected or contagious animals. Any animal impounded by the animal control officer that is, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian, infected with a disease likely to cause death or great suffering to the animal, or which is a contagious disease, or which will likely spread to other animals, shall be isolated and the owner of such animal shall be notified. If the owner cannot be located or the owner fails to take immediate steps to remove the animal from impoundment, the infected animal shall be humanely destroyed in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 4-11-5.1.

(d)

Reimbursement. The owner of the animal shall be responsible for reimbursement to animal control, the city and/or county animal shelter for all expenses involving the boarding, treatment and destruction of any such animal.

(e)

Notification of bites. It shall be the duty of any person bitten by a wild or domestic animal to immediately notify the Bartow County Health Department and Animal Control Officer. It shall be the duty of the owner, custodian or any person having possession and knowledge of any animal which has bitten any person or animal or of any animal which exhibits any signs of rabies to the animal control officer and the Bartow County Health Department and to confine such animal in accordance with this chapter.

(f)

Impoundment and quarantine. The animal control officer shall be authorized to impound and quarantine dogs that have been bitten by wild animals or bitten by dogs or cats that do not have current records of vaccinations against rabies. Management of animals exposed to rabies shall be according to the procedures set forth in the Georgia Rabies Control Manual, latest edition, which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth fully herein. The protocols for animal to animal exposure and human exposure shall be enforced as set forth in the Georgia Rabies Control Manual, latest edition. The animal control officer shall be authorized to take any and all steps set forth in said manual up to and including euthanize and testing the animals.

(g)

Animals impounded for rabies quarantine. Animals impounded for rabies quarantine shall be isolated pursuant to the procedures of the Georgia Rabies Control Manual, latest edition. If the animal shows signs of rabies or dies during confinement, it will be sent off for testing. If the animal survives and does not show signs of rabies, it will be returned to the owner upon payment of fees.

(h)

Quarantine/isolation procedures. In certain circumstances, the animal control officer may allow the animal owner to quarantine the animal that has been bitten in lieu of the animal being euthanized and tested. The quarantine period varies depending on the circumstance, as set forth in the Georgia Rabies Control Manual, latest edition. In that case, the animal must be placed in a secure enclosure where no other animal or person can be exposed to the virus which can be transmitted into bite wounds, open cuts in skin and onto mucous membranes. The animal must be kept in a secure enclosure approved by the animal control department and when deemed necessary may require two (2) layers of fencing, separated by at least one (1) foot. Food must be pushed in from a distance and the animal cannot be approached by any person. Other protocols for quarantine shall be provided by the animal control officer and the Bartow County Health Department. If the animal escaped from the enclosure, it will be impounded and euthanized for testing.

(Ord. No. 46-12, § 1, 11-1-12)