Canyon Lake Municipal Code Ch. 10.24 Rabies Suppression, Control and Quarantine of Animals

If it shall appear to the Animal Control Officer that any animal has rabies, the Animal Control Officer may destroy such animal forthwith, or may hold such animal for further examination or observation for such time as the Animal Control Officer may determine to be appropriate.

(32-12/92 § 10.08.010)

Whenever any animal has been bitten by an animal which has rabies, which exhibits any symptoms of rabies or which is otherwise suspected of having or having been exposed to rabies, the owner or person having custody of such bitten animal shall immediately notify the Animal Control Officer, and shall immediately confine the bitten animal and maintain that confinement until it is established to the satisfaction of the Animal Control Officer that such animal does not have rabies. The Animal Control Officer shall have the power to quarantine any such animal, or impound it at the owner’s expense if the owner or person having custody of such animal shall fail, refuse, or is unable, in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer, to adequately confine such animal immediately, or in the event the owner or person having custody of such animal is not readily accessible.

(32-12/92 S 10.24.020)

Whenever it is shown that any animal has bitten any person, the owner or person having custody of such animal shall, upon the order of the Animal Control Officer, quarantine such animal and keep it confined at the owner’s expense for a minimum period of ten days for dogs and cats and 14, days for all other animals, and shall allow the Animal Control Officer to make an inspection or examination of such animal at any time during such period of quarantine. Animals quarantined pursuant to this Subsection shall not be removed from the premises upon which such animal is quarantined without permission of the Animal Control Officer. The Animal Control Officer is hereby authorized to impound any animal at the owner’s expense in the event the owner or person having custody of such animal fails or refuses to so confine such animal. Animals quarantined pursuant to this Subsection shall remain under quarantine until notice is given by the Animal Control Officer that such quarantine is terminated.

(a) The Animal Control Officer may, in his or her discretion, post or cause to be posted an appropriate sign on any premises where an animal is quarantined pursuant to this Chapter, for the purposes of warning the public of the fact of such quarantine. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove a sign posted pursuant to this Subsection without the prior written permission of the Animal Control Officer.

(b) Whenever the Animal Control Officer determines that an epidemic of rabies exists or may be threatened, the Animal Control Officer shall have the authority to take such measures as may be reasonably necessary to prevent the spread of the disease, including, but not limited to, the declaration of quarantine against any or all animals in any area of the City as the Animal Control Officer may determine and define, for a period of not more than 120 days. An additional or extended quarantine period may also be declared if such additional or extended quarantine period shall be necessary by the Animal Control Officer for the protection and preservation of the public health, peace and safety. Any quarantine declared pursuant to this Subsection, other than as restricted herein, shall be upon such conditions as the Animal Control Officer may determine and declare.

(32-12/92 § 10.08.030)