§ 4-35. Bite reporting, quarantine, treatment and destruction.

(a)

It shall be the duty of every attending practitioner licensed to practice medicine, osteopathic medicine, veterinary medicine or any other person knowing of or in attendance on a case in which a rabies-susceptible animal has bitten or its saliva has come in contact with the mucous membrane or an open lesion of a human, to promptly report same to the Osceola County Health Department. All reporting requirements set forth in Florida's Administrative Code shall remain in full force.

(b)

When an animal, regardless of its vaccination status, has bitten or potentially exposed a person, or if after proper investigation by animal services is believed to have bitten or potentially exposed a person it shall be held in quarantine for a period no less than ten (10) days from the date of exposure or, if applicable, until such time as a final determination has been made in a pending dangerous dog investigation. Quarantine may be at a veterinary clinic in Osceola County, the county animal shelter, or other location approved by the county health department and/or animal services including home quarantine when certain conditions are met.

(c)

When an animal that is positive for rabies or is suspected or likely to have rabies has bitten or attacked a dog, cat or ferret, the dog, cat, or ferret, if current on rabies vaccination, shall be quarantined for a minimum of forty-five (45) days. Upon initial quarantine, the dog, cat, or ferret shall be re-vaccinated against rabies using a vaccine as approved by the USDA.

(d)

When an animal that is positive for rabies or is suspected or likely to have rabies has bitten or attacked a dog, cat, or ferret, the dog, cat, or ferret, if not current on rabies vaccination, shall either be immediately euthanized or held in quarantine at a location approved by the public health department and/or animal services for a minimum of six (6) months. Upon initial quarantine, the dog, cat or ferret shall be vaccinated against rabies using a vaccine approved by the USDA or vaccinated thirty (30) days prior to conclusion of the quarantine period in accordance with the provisions of the Florida Department of Health Rabies Prevention and Control compendium. The owner is wholly and solely responsible for payment of all fees and costs associated with this quarantine period. In situations where an animal is quarantined at Osceola County Animal Services, payment for the first thirty (30) days of quarantine services must be paid upon admission to the animal shelter. For each subsequent thirty (30) day period, payment must be received seven (7) days in advance of the next thirty (30) day period. Failure of the owner to provide payment shall constitute abandonment of the animal and waiver of the holding periods of section 4-8 hereof, enabling the department to provide for appropriate disposition of the animal.

(e)

The county will work closely with the county health department in accordance with their established rules and guidelines and the Florida. Administrative Code for quarantine restrictions for all other animal types not covered in this section.

(f)

It shall be a violation of this section if any person fails to surrender an animal for quarantine when demand is made by the county health department or an animal control officer.

(g)

Any animal impounded because it is infected or carrying, or believed to be infected or carrying, an infectious or contagious disease, or if an animal is impounded in an injured condition, the director shall have authority to procure the services of a licensed veterinarian to treat the animal if, in the opinion of the director or the veterinarian, the animal can be treated successfully.

(h)

Animals that are ill or injured may be euthanized prior to the expiration of the holding period set forth in section 4-8 in accordance with F.S. § 828.05. In instances when the owner of an impounded animal can be determined, the director of animal services or any animal services officer shall make a reasonable and concerted attempt to locate the owner, the owner's agent, or a veterinarian before the disposition of the animal. In the event an owner is identified after the fact, the owner shall be due no compensation.

(i)

Any dog used as a service dog that bites another animal or a human is exempt from any quarantine requirement following such bite if the dog has a current rabies vaccination that was administered by a licensed veterinarian.

(Ord. No. 2017-49, § 1, 8-7-17)