§ 5-193. Confinement or destruction of biting animals.

(a)

Upon information to the county division of police or any animal protection police officer that a dog or cat has bitten a person, it shall be the duty of the animal protection police officer, upon ascertaining the identity of such dog or cat, to direct it to be confined for a period of ten days from the date the bite occurred unless the animal develops active symptoms of rabies or expires before that time, such confinement to be either with a veterinarian approved by the county health director or in a kennel or enclosure approved by the animal protection police officer as the person who owns or controls such dog or cat shall select, provided that the person who owns or controls such dog or cat shall bear the cost of such confinement. A seriously injured or sick animal may be euthanized by one of the methods approved by the state veterinarian, and its head sent to the state laboratory for evaluation. It shall further be the duty of the animal protection police officer to assume the responsibility of supervising such confinement and ordering the dog or cat to be released if it is safe to do so at the end of the confinement period required by this subsection.

(b)

Any animal, other than a dog or cat, biting or otherwise injuring a human being, and suspected of being rabid by the county health director or animal protection police officer, shall be humanely destroyed and its head sent to the state laboratory for evaluation.

(Code 1980, § 4-26; Code 1995, § 5-174; Ord. No. 1148, § 19(5-174), 8-10-2010)

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.2-6522.

(Code 1980, § 4-26; Code 1995, § 5-174; Ord. No. 1148, § 19(5-174), 8-10-2010)

State law reference

Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.2-6522.