§ 4-137. Quarantine; impoundment and treatment of sick and injured animals; disposal of dead animals.

(a)

If any animal has bitten or scratched any person, or is suspected of being infected with rabies, it shall be the duty of the section manager to cause such animal to be apprehended and impounded in the Memphis Animal Shelter, or a Shelby County veterinary clinic, securely penned and separated from other animals for such period as may be necessary to ascertain whether or not the animal is infected with rabies.

(b)

If, after observation, the animal is not infected, in the opinion of the county health officer, or the designated staff or the animal shelter, it shall be returned to the owner, upon payment of a shelter fee as established by resolution.

(c)

If, in the opinion of the health officer, or his agent, a laboratory diagnosis is justified, the animal may be euthanized and proper examination made by the health officer. In determining the necessity of the microscopic examinations, the actions of the health officer shall be final.

(d)

Any animal desired for observation by the health department under the provisions of this section shall be delivered to the section manager or authorized agents upon demand and shall not be withheld, hidden or harbored. When any person refuses to deliver to the health department an animal desired for observation, the sheriff's department shall issue a warrant for the arrest of such person, which warrant shall also provide for the surrender of the animal and shall be lawful authority for the apprehending and forcible taking of the animal.

(e)

When an animal dies, the owner or keeper of the animal shall dispose of the remains immediately. When the section manager or his assistant discovers a dead animal, he shall notify the owner or keeper, if known, and shall order the owner or keeper to dispose of the remains immediately. If the owner or keeper is unknown, the section manager shall notify the owner of the property upon which the remains are located and shall order him to dispose of the remains immediately. If the person notified fails to comply within 24 hours, the section manager shall cause the remains to be disposed of and shall bill the animal owner or keeper or the property owner, as appropriate, for the costs of disposal. Such animal owner or keeper or property owner may further be held in violation of this article and punished as provided herein.

(Code 1992, § 3-46; Ord. No. 82, § 13, 11-19-1990; Ord. No. 204, § 12, 9-14-1998)

State law reference

Similar provisions, T.C.A. §§ 68-8-109 and 110.