City of Bellingham Municipal Code

7.08.100 - CONTROL OF RABID OR POTENTIALLY RABID DOGS

A. A dog which may transmit disease through its bite, which bites and breaks the skin of any person shall be quarantined for a ten-day period to determine if the animal is infected with a disease. The place of quarantine shall be established by the animal control authority, and the animal control authority may, in its discretion, allow the owner and/or keeper of the animal to maintain the quarantine.

B. Quarantine procedure:

1. Any dog that has bitten a human and broken the skin, regardless of provocation or previous inoculation for diseases, shall be contained for a period of not less than ten days, in such a manner that it is segregated from any other animals and the possibility of coming into contact with other animals and humans except for the caretaker.

2. If the owner and/or keeper is unable or unwilling to confine the dog, or if the animal control authority determines from the prior history of the dog that confinement is not likely, the dog may be quarantined at the animal shelter or a veterinarian and/or boarding kennel of the owner's choice, provided that the costs to board the dog shall be borne by the owner if in a location other than the owner's residence.

3. Should the dog during the observation period manifest any unusual behavior or develop symptoms of illness or die, the owner or veterinarian shall immediately notify the animal control authority or the health department of that condition.