Buena Park Municipal Code Ch. 6.24 Diseased and/or Crippled Animals

No person shall have, keep, or harbor any animal which is known or believed by him or her to be infected with any dangerous or communicable disease, or which is in an incurable, crippled condition or which is afflicted with any painful disease which is believed by such person to be incurable, except as otherwise provided in this title.

(Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)

A. Whenever the owner or person in control of any animal is informed that such animal has bitten a human being, or suspects that the animal is infected with rabies, he or she shall immediately report the same to the local health department and to the animal control officer or the police department, and shall immediately confine such animal.

B. At the discretion of the local health officer or animal control officer, any animal which bites or otherwise exposes a person shall be isolated in strict confinement in a place and manner approved by the local health officer or animal control officer and observed for at least thirty days (dogs, cats and ferrets, ten days) after the day of infliction of the bite, with the exception that the following alternative to the ten-day isolation of dogs and cats is permitted.

C. If it appears at any time during such period that the animal has rabies, the health officer or animal control officer shall cause the animal to be destroyed.

D. If at the end of the quarantine period as may be prescribed by law it appears that the animal does not have rabies, it shall be released upon payment to the city of a sum for its care during the period, together with an impounding fee as established per resolution of the city council; provided, however, that no impounding fee shall be charged to an owner or custodian of an animal who immediately transports such animal to the animal shelter.

E. The health officer or animal control officer or his or her duly authorized representative is empowered to enter upon any public or private premises, in accordance with the procedures provided by law, within the city for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this section and he or she is empowered to call upon the police officers of the city for assistance in enforcing such provisions.

(Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)

Unless otherwise provided by law, all cases of animal bites treated by any physician shall be reported by the physician to the health department within seventy-two hours.

(Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)

No person shall place the body of any dead animal in any street, park or public place or in any refuse receptacle. When identity of the person violating the foregoing provision is known and removal is accomplished by the city, such person shall pay a fee as established per resolution of the city council for the removal and disposal of such animal.

(Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful and constitutes an infraction for any person to violate, or fail to comply with any provision of this chapter. A second or subsequent violation of any section within this chapter may, at the discretion of the prosecuting attorney, constitute a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)