Contra Costa County Municipal Code Ch. 416-10 Rabies Control

All dogs in violation of the Rabies Control Act (Division 3, Chapter 3, Article 1 [§§ 1900 — 1922] of the Health and Safety Code) and all animals subject to the provisions of this chapter shall be quarantined or impounded, and are subject to destruction in some humane manner or to other disposition as provided in this chapter.

(Ord. 80-97 § 2).

The county health officer shall supervise rabies control. If the county health officer finds that rabies exists in this county, the county health officer shall take the control measures that the county health officer finds necessary and proper to abate the condition; and the county health officer may quarantine any animal to protect the public health. All county officers and employees, including the animal services director, shall cooperate with and assist the health officer in carrying out any measures necessary for rabies control.

(Ord. No. 2024-23, § III(Exh. A), 12-3-24; Ord. 80-97 § 2).

(a) Knowledge and Report. If the owner and/or keeper of any animal observes or learns (from any source whatsoever) that the animal shows symptoms of rabies, that person shall immediately confine the animal in a veterinary hospital, an animal services department facility, or other adequate facility; including the owner's premises if approved by the animal services director; notify the animal services director, and make the animal available to the animal services director for examination and/or confinement.

(b) Examination. The animal services director shall cause the animal to be examined by a veterinarian.

(c) Confinement. If the animal services director, on the advice of a veterinarian, deems it advisable for the protection of the public health, the animal services director shall have the animal confined in a veterinary hospital, an animal services department facility, or other adequate facility, and shall keep the health officer advised of the animal's condition.

(d) Release. No person shall release any animal so confined until release is authorized by the animal services director.

(e) Charge. The animal's owner shall be charged for all costs incurred or fees applicable with respect to examination or confinement of the animal.

(Ord. No. 2024-23, § III(Exh. A), 12-3-24; Ord. 80-97 § 2).

(a) Knowledge and Report. If the owner and/or keeper of any animal knows or learns from any source whatsoever, that the animal has bitten any person, any other animal, or has been bitten by another animal having rabies or reasonably suspected of having rabies, such owner or keeper shall immediately confine the animal in a veterinary hospital, an animal services department facility, or other adequate facility; notify the animal services director, and shall make the animal available to the animal services director for examination and/or confinement. The victim of such biting shall report the incident to the animal services director where the owner or keeper of the animal is unknown, or where the owner or keeper is unable or refuses to make the required report.

(b) Examination. The animal services director may cause the animal to be examined by a veterinarian.

(c) Confinement. The animal services director shall confine or have the animal confined in a veterinary hospital, an animal services department facility, or other adequate facility for the period prescribed by state law, and shall keep the health officer advised of the animal's condition.

(d) Release. No person shall release any animal so confined until release is authorized by the animal services director.

(e) Charges. The animal's owner shall be charged for all costs incurred or fees applicable with respect to examination or confinement of the animal.

(Ord. 80-97 § 2).

(a) Rabies is declared to be a reportable disease. Every veterinarian practicing in this county and every person providing professional medical treatment for animal bite by an animal of a species subject to rabies shall immediately notify the health department whenever rabies is suspected.

(b) Every veterinarian practicing in this county shall provide the animal services director with a copy of every rabies immunization certificate that the veterinarian issues.

(Ord. No. 2024-23, § III(Exh. A), 12-3-24; Ord. 80-97 § 2).

Violation of this chapter, except for the provisions of Section 416-10.010(b), is a misdemeanor. Violation of Section 416-10.010(b) is subject to Article 416-4.6 of this division.

(Ord. 80-97 § 3).