City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 6, 2016
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend Section 5-7-37 of the City Code to Allow Discretion in Requiring the Quarantine of Animals Who Have Been Vaccinated For Rabies After a Bite of a Person or of Another Animal.
BODY
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ISSUE: City Council consideration of an amendment to Section 5-7-37 of the City Code, Confinement of animal which has committed an attack.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council amend City Code 5-7-37, to allow discretion in requiring the quarantine of animals who have been vaccinated for rabies after a bite of a person or of another animal.
DISCUSSION: Under City Code 5-7-37, any animal that bites a person or another animal must be quarantined for 10 days. This law does not allow Animal Control or the Health Department any discretion to determine if such a quarantine is necessary or appropriate. As reflected in the attached letter of support from the Alexandria Health Department, such requirement requires healthy, vaccinated animals to be subject to confinement when bitten by other healthy, vaccinated animals. This change will also align the City Code with Code of Virginia 3.2-6522.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Proposed ordinance to amend and reordain Sections 5-7-37 of Article C (Dogs and Other Animals) of Chapter 7 (Animals and Fowl) of Title 5 (Transportation and Environmental Services) of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
Attachment 2: Letter of Support from the Health Department with proposed draft Regulations
STAFF:
Brian Rees, Chief of Animal Services
Mary O’Donnell, Assistant City Attorney