Galveston Municipal Code

 

Sec. 7-20. - Reports of rabies.

(a) A person who knows of an animal bite or scratch to an individual that the person could reasonably foresee as capable of transmitting rabies, or who knows of an animal that the person suspects is rabid, shall report the incident or animal to the director.

(b) The report must include:

(1) The name and address of the victim and of the animal's owner, if known; and

(2) Any other information that may help in locating the victim or animal.

(c) The director shall investigate a report filed under this section.

​

Sec. 7-21. - Quarantine of animals.

(a) The director shall quarantine or test in accordance with state department of health rules any animal that the director has probable cause to believe is rabid, may have been exposed to rabies, may have exposed a person to rabies, or has been involved in a bite incident.

(b) An owner shall submit to the director for quarantine an animal that:

        (1) Is reported to be rabid or to have exposed an individual to rabies; or

        (2) The owner knows or suspects is rabid or to have exposed an individual to rabies.

(c) A veterinarian shall quarantine an animal that:

        (1) Is in the possession of the veterinarian; and

        (2) The veterinarian knows or suspects is rabid or has exposed an individual to rabies.

 

Sec. 7-22. - Release or disposition of quarantined animal.

(a) If the animal shelter or a veterinarian determines that a quarantined animal does not show the clinical signs of rabies, the animal shelter or veterinarian shall release the animal to its owner when the quarantine period ends if:

        (1) The owner has an unexpired rabies vaccination certificate for the animal; or

        (2) The animal is vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian at the owner's expense.

(b) If the animal shelter or a veterinarian determines that a quarantined animal shows the clinical signs of rabies, the animal shelter or veterinarian shall humanely destroy the animal. If an animal dies or is destroyed while in quarantine, the animal shelter or veterinarian shall remove the head or brain of the animal and submit it to the nearest department laboratory for testing.

(c) The owner of an animal that is quarantined under this chapter shall pay to the animal shelter or veterinarian the reasonable costs of the quarantine and disposition of the animal. The animal shelter or veterinarian may bring suit to collect those costs.

(d) The animal shelter or veterinarian may sell the animal and retain the proceeds or keep, grant, or destroy an animal if the owner or custodian does not take possession of the animal before the fourth day following the final day of the quarantine period.

 

Sec. 7-23. - Quarantine; criminal penalty.

(a) A person commits an offense if the person fails or refuses to quarantine or present for quarantine or testing an animal that is required to be placed in quarantine or presented for testing under section 7-21. (b) An offense under sections 7-20—7-23 shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00). Each day a violation of sections 7-20—7-23 continues shall constitute a separate offense.