Whenever the guardian of an animal observes or learns that their
animal shows symptoms of rabies, or acts in a manner which would lead
to a reasonable suspicion that it may have rabies, the guardian shall
immediately notify the Police Department. An animal control officer
shall make or cause an inspection or examination, and if warranted
by signs of disease, ensure that an examination of the animal be made
by a licensed veterinarian until the existence or nonexistence of
rabies in the animal is established by the veterinarian. The animal
shall be kept isolated in a shelter, or veterinary hospital, or in
a manner approved by the animal control officer, including home quarantine
where the officer determines that it is appropriate. If after 10 days
there are no symptoms of rabies, the animal shall be released. The
County Health Officer or his/her designated agent shall destroy any
animal exhibiting signs of rabies.
(Prior code §5.36; Ord. 2715 §8, 1959; Ord. 3127 §2, 1966; Ord. 3744 §12,
1975; Ord. 4346, 1985; Ord. 4460, 1987; Ord. 4621, 1990; Ord. 6075, 2022)
The County Health Officer is hereby authorized and empowered
to enter upon private property where any dog or other animal is kept
or believed by them to be kept, for the purpose of ascertaining whether
the dog or other animals are afflicted or infected with rabies.
(Prior code §5.37; Ord. 3744 §12, 1975; Ord.
4346, 1985; Ord. 4460,
1987; Ord. 4621, 1990; Ord. 6075, 2022)
If any rabid animal, clinically suspected rabid animal or biting
animal dies or has been destroyed, adequate specimens shall be obtained
and examined in a Public Health laboratory approved by the State Health
Department. All costs incurred shall be paid by the guardian of the
animal.
(Prior code §5.38; Ord. 2715 §9, 1959; Ord. 4346, 1985; Ord. 4460, 1987; Ord. 4621, 1990; Ord. 6075, 2022)
If, in the opinion of the County Health Officer, an outbreak
of rabies appears imminent in any part of the City, the County Health
Officer may: (1) establish a rabies quarantine area, which may include
the entire City; and (2) specify the animals subject to quarantine.
Every guardian of any such animal in any quarantine area shall at
all times keep the animal securely fastened with a rope, chain, or
leash, or confined within the private property of the owner. Any animal
found at large in or upon any place in a rabies quarantine area shall
be captured and confined in the animal control facility until the
animal is established as being free from rabies, at which time it
may be reclaimed by its guardian, upon payment of such fees as are
provided by resolution of the City Council.
(Prior code §5.39; Ord. 2715 §10, 1959; Ord.
3744 §12, 1975; Ord. 4346, 1985; Ord. 4460, 1987; Ord. 4621, 1990; Ord. 6075, 2022)
Any guardian of an animal that bites any person, and any person
bitten by such animal, shall report the same to the Police Department
within 24 hours. The Police Department upon the receipt of such report
will investigate and inform the Animal Control Supervisor or designated
animal control officer and the County Health Officer of the available
information concerning the bite. The animal shall be kept isolated
for 10 days in a shelter, or in a veterinary hospital, in a manner
approved by the animal control officer, including in at-home quarantine,
where the officer determines that it is appropriate. All dogs shall
be vaccinated and licensed before release. In the event that the guardian
does not have evidence of rabies vaccination and a dog license, but
pays all impound and other fees, the animal shall be released to the
guardian, who shall have 14 days to provide evidence of rabies vaccination
and licensing to the animal control officer. Failure to provide the
required proof of vaccination and licensing will result in the seizure
of the animal by Animal Control. All costs incurred shall be paid
by the guardian of the animal.
(Prior code §5.40; Ord. 2715 §11, 1959; Ord.
3127 §3, 1966; Ord. 3744 §12, 1975; Ord. 4346, 1985; Ord. 4460, 1987; Ord. 4621, 1990; Ord. 6075, 2022)
It is unlawful for a guardian to fail to isolate an animal in the manner required by the Animal Control Supervisor, designated animal control officer, or County Health Officer pursuant to Section 6.16.050. It is unlawful for a guardian to fail to surrender to the Animal Control Supervisor, designated animal control officer, or County Health Officer any animal required to be taken up and isolated by the Animal Control Supervisor, designated animal control officer, or County Health Officer pursuant to Section 6.16.050.
(Ord. 3995, 1979; Ord. 4346, 1985; Ord. 4460, 1987; Ord. 4621, 1990; Ord. 6075, 2022)
In the event that an animal appears to be free from rabies following
capture and the guardian desires to claim the animal, it shall be
returned to the guardian upon exhibition of a proper certificate of
rabies vaccination, receipt of an official license tag in the case
of a dog, and upon payment of all impound fees and such other fees
as are hereafter provided in this chapter. In the event that the guardian
does not have evidence of rabies vaccination and a dog license, but
pays all impound and other fees, the animal shall be released to the
guardian, who shall have 14 days to provide evidence of rabies vaccination
and licensing. Failure to provide the required proof of vaccination
and licensing will result in the seizure of the animal.
(Prior code §5.41; Ord. 4346, 1985; Ord. 4460, 1987; Ord. 4621, 1990; Ord. 6075, 2022)
A guardian of a dog or cat over four months of age in the City's
jurisdiction must have the dog or cat vaccinated against rabies by
a licensed veterinarian on or before the latest of the following dates:
A.
15 days
after first acquiring the dog or cat;
B.
15 days
after bringing the dog or cat into the Department's jurisdiction.
(Prior code §5.19; Ord. 3744 §12, 1975; Ord.
4346, 1985; Ord. 4460,
1987; Ord. 4621, 1990; Ord. 6075, 2022)
A guardian of a dog or cat in the City's jurisdiction that has
been vaccinated against rabies is required to have the dog or cat
re-vaccinated within a period of not more than:
A.
12 months
after the dog's or cat's initial vaccination if the dog or cat was
between three months and one year of age at the time of such vaccination;
and
B.
36 months
after each subsequent vaccination.
C.
A guardian
of a dog or cat may obtain a waiver from a veterinarian if immunization
would compromise the animal's health.
(Ord. 6075, 2022)
A licensed veterinarian who vaccinates a dog or cat against
rabies must immediately issue a certificate of vaccination signed
by the veterinarian to the guardian or custodian of the dog or cat,
and a duplicate certificate to the Animal Control Supervisor, stating:
A.
The
name and address of the guardian of the vaccinated dog or cat;
B.
The
type of vaccine used, the name of the manufacturer, the manufacturer's
serial or lot number, and the date of the vaccination; and
C.
The
breed, age, color, and sex of the vaccinated dog or cat.
(Prior code §5.20; Ord. 3744 §§12, 13, 1975; Ord. 4346, 1985; Ord. 4460, 1987; Ord. 4621, 1990; Ord. 6075, 2022)
