A.
It shall
be unlawful for any person owning, harboring or having the care, custody,
or possession of any dog to keep or maintain such dog in any place
in the City unless such dog has been vaccinated. This Section shall
have no application to dogs under the age of four months, who are
fastened securely by a rope, chain, or leash, or confined within the
private property of the owner or person having control of such dog.
B.
Health
and Safety Code Sections 121705 and 121710 establish penalties for
violating orders of local health officers regarding rabies quarantines
or concealing information about animals that have been exposed or
have bitten someone. Violating a quarantine order or refusing to produce
an animal upon demand of the local Health Officer is a misdemeanor
punishable by imprisonment not to exceed one year, or a fine not less
than $100.00 and not more than $1,000.00.
(Prior code § 0626; amended
during the 2008 recodification)
The Animal Control Officer shall not license any dog until it
has been vaccinated with an approved canine anti-rabies vaccine of
modified live virus chick embryo origin, by injection or other method
approved by the Health Officer, and the owner or person in possession
of such dog submits a certificate of vaccination from a licensed veterinarian
certifying the vaccination of such dog within 18 months of January
1st of the year for which the license is to be issued.
(Prior code § 0627)
The required anti-rabies vaccination shall be performed by a
duly qualified and licensed veterinarian. Such veterinarian vaccinating
any dog shall issue to the owner or person in possession of such dog
a rabies vaccination tag and a certificate of vaccination, which certificate
shall include the following:
A.
The
type of vaccine used;
B.
The
date of vaccination;
C.
A description
of the dog;
D.
The
serial number of the rabies vaccination tag issued to the dog;
E.
The
name and address of the owner of the dog;
F.
The
signature of the licensed veterinarian making the vaccination;
G.
A statement
that the dog is a male, female, or spayed female.
(Prior code § 0628)
A.
Animal
Control Officers may direct the owner or custodian of any animal which
is determined by them to have bitten any person or other animal to
comply with one of the following procedures:
1.
Quarantine
the biting animal on the premises of the owner or custodian of such
animal for a period of time determined by Animal Control Services.
2.
Surrender
the biting animal to Animal Control Services for quarantine and impoundment
for the period of time determined by them.
3.
Surrender
the animal to a licensed veterinarian for quarantine for the period
of time determined by Animal Control Services.
B.
It shall
be unlawful for the owner or custodian of a biting animal to fail
to comply with Animal Control Services' orders and the requirements
set forth in this section.
C.
Except
as otherwise provided in this section or by state law, if the animal
quarantined is determined not to be infected with rabies at the end
of the period of isolation, then it shall be released to the owner
or custodian of the animal upon the payment of any fee, charge or
penalty including any fee for veterinary services. If such fee, charge
or penalty is not paid within five days after notification by Animal
Control Services, then such animal may be adopted, transferred or
humanely euthanized.
(Prior code § 0629; Ord. 1622(16) § 8)
It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to immediately notify
the County Health Officer or designee of the observation or knowledge
of any animal which shows symptoms of rabies or which acts in a manner
which would lead a reasonable person to believe the animal may have
rabies.
(Prior code § 0631; Ord. 1622(16) § 8)
A.
Animal
Control Services shall investigate any report of any animal showing
symptoms of rabies or acting in a manner which would lead a reasonable
person to believe the animal may have rabies. Upon determination by
the County Health Officer or designee an animal may be infected with
rabies, the owner or custodian of such animal shall be required to
comply with one of the following procedures:
B.
It shall
be unlawful for the owner or custodian of an animal which may be infected
with rabies to fail to comply with Animal Control Services'
requirements set forth in this section.
C.
If the
animal quarantined is determined not to be infected with rabies at
the end of the period of quarantine, then it shall be released to
the owner or custodian of the animal upon the payment of any fee,
charge or penalty including any fee for veterinary services. If such
fee, charge or penalty is not paid within five days after notification
by Animal Control Services, such animal may be adopted, transferred
or humanely euthanized.
(Prior code § 0632; Ord. 1622(16) § 8)
Animal Control Services shall cause any animal quarantined to
be examined by the County Health Officer or designee. If the animal
is determined to be possibly infected with rabies, then the County
Health Officer shall order in writing that the animal be humanely
euthanized and tested for rabies. A copy of this order shall be given
to the owner or custodian of the animal.
(Ord. 1622(16) § 9)
