§ 4-62. Same—Release.

(a)

Any veterinarian who is given custody of an animal under the provisions of this article shall keep such animal in quarantine until he/she shall issue a certificate that:

(1)

He/she has complied with the observation provisions of A.C.A. § 20-19-307; and

(2)

The animal appears to be free of infection of rabies (hydrophobia).

(b)

When the licensed veterinarian supervising the quarantine of any animal quarantined under this article shall issue the certificate provided for in subsection (a), the owner of such animal may retake custody of it upon tender to such veterinarian and/or the city animal control unit of their customary and reasonable fees and charges for impounding, boarding and lodging, observing and testing. Provided, if a person who has been bitten by an animal (or the parent or legal guardian of such person) requests the confinement of the animal which has a current rabies vaccination and which, at the time of the biting incident, was in compliance with the running at large provisions of this chapter, and which the animal is subsequently found to be without rabies infection, the customary and reasonable fees and charges for impounding, boarding and lodging, observing and testing by the veterinarian and/or animal control unit shall be paid by the person who has been bitten (or by either parent or a legal guardian of such person) and the animal shall be released to the custody of the owner of such animal upon issuance of the certificate provided for in subsection (a).

(Code 1976, §§ 4-113, 4-114; Ord. No. 100-12, § I, 12-27-12)