A. Any animal which is known to have bitten or injured any person so as to cause an abrasion of the skin, or an animal which, in the opinion of the Chief of Police, or any member of the Police Department, or a licensed veterinarian, appears to be affected or infected with rabies, or any animal which is known to have been bitten by or exposed to a rabid animal, shall be impounded by the Chief of Police or any member of the Police Department, and closely confined by the Town in accordance with the directions of the Chief of Police, or his designee, at the expense of the animal owner; or, if the animal has a valid rabies vaccination and if confinement facilities are arranged to the satisfaction of the Chief of Police, or his designee, on the owner’s property, for a period of not less than fourteen (14) days, and notice of such confinement shall be given, as provided in PMC 10.02.090. Any animal so confined and not demonstrating evidence of rabies after fourteen (14) days shall be released upon visual inspection by the Chief of Police, or his designee, after such period.

B. If said animal is determined by a veterinarian to be suffering from rabies, it shall be destroyed immediately. If such animal is determined not diseased, it may be redeemed by its owner, in accordance with the provisions for redemption set out in PMC 10.02.090(C). If the owner of said animal is not determined, or located, or the animal is not claimed within the aforesaid fourteen (14) day period, then the Chief of Police, or his designee, may order such animal destroyed. If said dog shall die while confined or impounded as herein provided, notice thereof shall be given to the owner, if known, and the proper medical tests shall be conducted at the expense of its owner to determine whether the animal was suffering from rabies at the date of death.

C. It shall be unlawful for an owner knowing or reasonably suspecting that his animal has rabies to allow such animal to be taken off his property or premises or beyond the limits of the Town of Parachute without the written permission of the Chief of Police, or his designee. Every owner or other person, upon ascertaining a dog or cat is rabid, shall immediately notify the Chief of Police or any member of the Police Department who shall either remove the animal to the Town Animal Control Facility, or if necessary for the protection of the public, immediately destroy the animal.

D. A violation of this section is a Class B municipal offense. (Ord. 529 §1, 2005)