19.2.1.110 WHEN AN ANIMAL BITES.

(a) Notice. Whenever an animal bites any person or other animal, the incident must be reported to the Animal Control Officer immediately by any person having direct knowledge of the incident, including, but not limited to, members of the public, employees or staff of school(s) or medical facilities, and law enforcement officers.

(b) Citation. The Animal Control Officer may cite the Owner of the biting animal, irrespective of whether the animal was known to be vicious prior to the attack. Proof that the person bitten provoked the attack is a defense.

(c) Destruction of an Animal That Has Bitten. No person except the Animal Control Officer shall euthanize any animal that has bitten a person or another animal, except that:

(1) Any person who destroys any animal while the animal is attacking a person or another animal in an effort to stop said attack shall not be civilly or criminally liable for destroying the animal; or

(2) A wild animal that bites any person shall be killed and submitted to the Animal Control Officer.

(d) Quarantine; Impoundment. The Animal Control Officer shall order any animal that bites so as to cause abrasion of the skin to be (1) confined and quarantined at the property of the Owner or at some other appropriate location on the Pueblo, including a veterinary hospital should one be established, or (2) impounded for a period of time as determined by the Animal Control Officer. If quarantined at the property of the Owner or at a veterinary hospital, the Owner shall make the animal available for inspection upon request by the Animal Control Officer. If an animal becomes sick and/or dies while being confined or quarantined, the Owner shall immediately contact the Animal Control Officer to determine the proper disposition of the body.

(e) Liability for an Animal Bite. The Owner of an animal that bites without provocation while the person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the Owner of the animal, shall be liable for any damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the animal or the Owner's knowledge of such viciousness.