§ 6.1.120. Rabies—exposure.

Animal contacts shall be subject to the following provisions:

A.

Any non-vaccinated or not currently vaccinated domestic animal that has been exposed to a confirmed rabid, or suspected rabid, animal shall be administered according to the provisions of the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) Title 32, Chapter 3.

B.

Any currently vaccinated domestic animal that has been exposed to a confirmed rabid, or suspected rabid, animal shall be administered according to the provisions of ARM, Title 32, Chapter 3.

C.

Any person having knowledge of an animal known to have or suspected of having rabies shall report an accurate description immediately to the state veterinarian or to a deputy state veterinarian.

D.

The Animal Control Officer shall notify the City/County Health Department and the Department of Livestock of the exposure including the bite and bitten animal. The Department of Livestock may further investigate the incident and take appropriate action including, but not limited to, destruction or further quarantines as required by this part.

E.

Animal rabies exposure procedures include:

1.

If the owner of the animal is identified, the animal shall be quarantined at a veterinarian hospital at the owner's expense for a period of at least ten (10) days after the day of exposure. In the event an owner cannot be identified, the animal shall be in taken and quarantined at the Animal Shelter. In the event an owner will not voluntarily release the animal for quarantine, the Animal Control authority or law enforcement officer shall obtain a court order to seize the animal and place it in quarantine at the veterinarian hospital of the authority's choice, at the owner's expense.

2.

If the animal is a stray and no owner is identified within twenty-four (24) hours, the animal may be euthanized and tested for rabies.

3.

The aforesaid procedure shall be suspended on order of the City/County Health Department where an animal exhibits symptoms of rabies.

(Ord. 3174, 2017)

F.

Human exposure to a confirmed rabid, or suspected rabid, animal shall be administered according to applicable Montana State law and regulations, including but not limited to, MCA Titles 37, and 50, and ARM Title 32 and 37.

(Ord. 3174, 2017)

G.

A person found guilty of a violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) and may also be subject to the other penalties specified in 6.1.300.

(Ord. 3174, 2017; Ord. 3160, 2017).