Chapter 7.08 — RABIES AND DISEASE CONTROL

Except as otherwise set forth herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, harbor, or possess any dog or cat within the city limits unless such animal has been properly immunized with a rabies vaccine approved by the California Department of Public Health. (Ord. 1120 § 2 (part), 2009)

A. Bite/Scratch Victim. Every person, or parent or guardian of such person, bitten or scratched within the city by an animal of a species subject to rabies shall immediately notify animal services.

B. Medical Provider. Every veterinarian practicing in this city and every person providing
professional medical treatment for animal bites or scratches within the city by an animal of
a species subject to rabies shall immediately notify animal services after treating any
animal bite or scratch upon a person or other animal.
(Ord. 1120 § 2 (part), 2009)

A. No person shall own or harbor any dog or cat over the age of four months within the city limits unless such dog or cat has been vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian or other authorized person with a rabies vaccine approved by and in the manner prescribed by the California Department of Public Health.

B. Every cat or dog shall have a medically current vaccination with an anti-rabies vaccine
approved by the California Department of Public Health. A veterinarian or other authorized
person shall administer the vaccination, and a certificate of vaccination shall be issued to
the owner.

C. Violation of this section may be charged as an infraction or a misdemeanor in the discretion
of the prosecuting authority.
(Ord. 1120 § 2 (part), 2009)

A dog or cat need not be vaccinated for rabies where a licensed veterinarian has certified that the vaccination would endanger the dog’s or cat’s life or health, and the local health officer endorses on the certificate his or her approval. The certificate must bear the date of issuance and must be renewed each year. Any such dog or cat subject to this exemption shall not be allowed off the premises of the owner. (Ord. 1120 § 2 (part), 2009)

A. The animal services department has the power and authority to ensure that all animals falling into the following categories are quarantined at the place and under the conditions prescribed by the health officer or chief of animal services and applicable state laws and regulations:

1. Animals known or suspected to be inflicted with rabies or other animal disease
dangerous to humans, as determined by the chief of animal services.

2. Animals known or suspected to be inflicted with rabies or other animal disease
dangerous to humans, as determined by the chief of animal services, that have bitten
or otherwise exposed a human to the disease.

3. Animals, of a species subject to rabies, which have been bitten by a known rabid or
suspected rabid animal or have been in intimate contact with a rabid or suspected
rabid animal.

B. Animal services officers are authorized to order an animal quarantined when the animal
meets the criteria set forth in this section. The animal services officer ordering the
quarantine shall issue a written notice to the owner of or to any person harboring an animal
within the city to quarantine such animal for a period of not less than ten days, or for such
period as required by state law or determined to be appropriate by the animal services
officer. The animal shall not be released from such quarantine except by written permission
from the animal services officer. It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any animal to
run at large or fail to keep the animal quarantined after being so notified.

C. Upon demand made by an animal services officer, the owner of an animal shall forthwith
surrender any animal which has bitten a person, or which is suspected of having been
exposed to rabies or other animal disease dangerous to humans, for supervised quarantine
at the animal shelter, or other location designated by the chief of animal services, the costs
of which shall be borne by the owner. The animal may be reclaimed by the owner if
adjudged free of rabies or other suspected disease, and upon payment of any applicable
fees, including, but not limited to, impoundment, boarding, veterinary, or other fees. At the
discretion of the animal services officer, such quarantine may be on the premises of the
owner. For stray animals whose ownership is not known, such quarantine shall be at the
animal shelter.

D. Upon determination by a licensed veterinarian that a quarantined animal has likely been
inflicted with rabies or other animal disease dangerous to humans and cannot reasonably
be cured, the animal may be ordered euthanized by the chief of animal services. Except in
an emergency, no animal may be euthanized without reasonable and diligent efforts to
notify the owner prior to euthanasia.
(Ord. 1120 § 2 (part), 2009)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a service dog shall not be quarantined in the absence of evidence that he or she has actually been exposed to rabies unless his or her owner fails:

A. To keep the dog safely confined to the premises of the owner;

B. To keep the dog available for examination at all reasonable times. (Ord. 1120 § 2 (part), 2009)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a dog used by any state, county, city or city and county law enforcement agency shall not be quarantined after biting any person if such bite occurred while the dog was being used for any law enforcement purpose. The law enforcement agency shall make the dog available for examination by the animal services department at any reasonable time. The law enforcement agency shall also notify animal services if the dog exhibits any abnormal behavior. (Ord. 1120 § 2 (part), 2009)

Upon notice of the death of any suspected rabid animal, or animal which has bitten or otherwise exposed a human to rabies, the chief of animal services shall notify the health officer and, if directed by the health officer, shall hold the carcass of the animal or an adequate specimen thereof for a reasonable period, not to exceed ten days. The chief of animal services shall not be responsible for the gathering of a specimen from the carcass of an animal. (Ord. 1120 § 2 (part), 2009)