Chapter 6.08
RABIES CONTROL
Sections:
6.08.010 Vaccination required.
6.08.030 Exemption from rabies vaccination.
6.08.040 Certificate required generally.
6.08.050 Certificate required for licensing.
6.08.060 Animals possibly exposed to rabies.
6.08.070 Quarantine of biting animals.
6.08.080 Payment of fees and expenses.
6.08.090 Destruction of infected animals.
6.08.010 Vaccination required.
Dog owners shall obtain a rabies vaccination for each dog they own, keep, harbor or have custody of, within thirty (30) days after it becomes four months of age, or within thirty (30) days after obtaining any dog over four months of age. It is unlawful for any person to own, keep, harbor or possess or to have in his or her care, charge or custody, any dog five months of age or older unless such has a current and valid rabies vaccination administered by a duly licensed veterinarian, with a rabies vaccine approved by the State Department of Health Services for use in dogs. Such vaccination shall be repeated at intervals specified by the State Department of Health Services in order to maintain adequate immunity. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.08.010)
6.08.020 Vaccination clinic.
The city shall provide or arrange for a rabies clinic at a specified location where dog owners may obtain the required rabies vaccination at a reduced fee in accordance with California Health and Safety Code. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.08.020)
6.08.030 Exemption from rabies vaccination.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a dog need not be vaccinated for rabies due to illness, age or other disability if a licensed veterinarian has examined the dog and certified in writing that such vaccination should be postponed because of specified reasons. Exemption from vaccination does not exempt a dog from licensing requirements. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.08.030)
6.08.040 Certificate required generally.
Every person keeping, harboring or having in the city any dog required by ordinance to be vaccinated shall at all times keep and maintain a certificate issued by a person licensed by the state of California, or any other state or nation to practice veterinary medicine, certifying the dog has been vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of this section, or that such dog should not be vaccinated by reason of age, infirmity or other disability. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.08.040)
6.08.050 Certificate required for licensing.
No dog may be licensed and no licensed certificate issued except upon presentation of a certificate by a veterinarian as provided for in this chapter. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.08.050)
6.08.060 Animals possibly exposed to rabies.
Any animal of a species subject to rabies which has been bitten by or has come in contact with an animal infected with or reasonably suspected of being infected with rabies shall be quarantined in strict confinement in a place and manner approved by the ACO for a period of six months in accordance with the California Code of Regulations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following alternative is permitted in the case of dogs and cats. If the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies at least thirty (30) days prior to the suspected exposure with a type of vaccine and within the time period approved by the State Department of Health Services, the dog or cat may be re-vaccinated immediately (within forty-eight (48) hours) and quarantined in strict confinement in a place and manner approved by the ACO for a period of thirty (30) days following re-vaccination. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.08.060)
6.08.070 Quarantine of biting animals.
A. When any animal of a species subject to rabies has bitten, scratched, or otherwise exposed any person to the possible infection of rabies, the owner shall upon verbal or written order from the ACO or any police officer, quarantine such animal in strict confinement in a place and manner approved by the ACO or police officer, quarantine such animal in strict confinement in a place and manner approved by the ACO or police officer for at least fourteen (14) days, (dogs and cats ten days) and shall permit the ACO to inspect or examine the animal at any time during the period in accordance with the California Code of Regulations.
B. Upon the issuance of a verbal or written order of quarantine, the person to whom such order is directed shall permit the ACO to post a written or printed notice of the quarantine order upon or about the premises wherein the subject animal is confined.
C. No person shall obscure, deface, render illegible, or remove the posted sign during the quarantine period.
D. In the event the owner of the animal refuses or fails to quarantine the animal, the owner shall upon the request of the ACO or any police officer deliver the animal to the ACO or police officer to be quarantined at a designated location for at least fourteen (14) days, (dogs and cats ten days).
E. Dogs and cats which have been quarantined in strict confinement under proper care and under observation of a licensed veterinarian, in an animal shelter, veterinary hospital, or other adequate facility in a manner approved by the animal control officer, may be released from quarantine by the animal control officer after five days of veterinary observation if upon conducting a thorough examination on the fifth day or more after the infliction of bite, the observing veterinarian certifies that there are no clinical signs or symptoms of any disease. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.08.070)
6.08.080 Payment of fees and expenses.
The owner of any animal quarantined under the provisions of this section at the animal shelter shall pay all fees and expenses related to the quarantine. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.08.080)
6.08.090 Destruction of infected animals.
If it appears to the ACO, veterinarian or animal shelter director upon examination or otherwise of an animal that such animal has rabies, he or she may authorize the euthanasia of said animal. (Ord. 1060 § 1 (part), 1999: prior code § 6.08.090)