Costa Mesa Municipal Code Ch. III Rabies Control

Any person having knowledge of anyone having been bitten or scratched by an animal of a species subject to rabies (all warmblooded animals) shall immediately notify the police department.

(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)

The animal control officer is hereby empowered to enter upon any private property where any animal is kept, which animal is alleged to have bitten any person or animal, to inspect or seize and impound such animal for a period prescribed by state law or by the health officer, and may, in lieu of impounding said animal require the owner thereof, by a notice in writing personally served upon such owner, to quarantine said animal for such period. The animal control officer shall immediately quarantine any animal infected with or believed to be infected with rabies.

(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)

The animal control officer shall promptly notify the city health officer of the location and description of the animal having or suspected of having rabies, and shall supply the city health officer with the names and addresses of the persons who have been bitten, scratched or had other contact with such animal.

(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)

The animal control officer shall determine the place of quarantine. The place may be on the premises of the owner of such animal, at a commercial kennel, veterinary kennel or hospital or city pound. The owner of any animal placed in quarantine by the animal control officer shall be liable for all costs incurred in the quarantine of such animal.

(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)

No owner of any dog or animal in quarantine shall permit quarantined animals to be at large.

(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)

No owner or person, either by himself or through his agent, shall remove any animal from quarantine from any place in which such animal has been quarantined without the consent of the animal control officer and the health officer.

(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)

If, upon examination, the city health officer determines that any animal is afflicted with rabies, he may cause such animal to be immediately destroyed; provided, however, when any animal shall be known to have bitten, scratched or otherwise is believed to have exposed any person or animal to rabies, such animal shall be quarantined for such period of time as may be prescribed by state law or by the health officer.

(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)

Because of the presence of rabies in skunks in California, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following: Trap or capture skunks for pets; or trap, capture, or hold skunks in captivity for sale, barter, exchange, or gift; transport skunks from or into the city except by permit from the California State Department of Health Services to a recognized zoological garden or a research institution.

(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1, 8-7-07)