Imperial County Municipal Code Ch. 6.12 Rabies Control Regulations

Whenever it shall appear to the county health officer or the county veterinarian that an animal found in the unincorporated territory of the county of Imperial has bitten any person or animal, the owner of such offending animal shall, upon the order of the county health officer or the county veterinarian, quarantine the offending animal and keep it tied up or confined for a period of fourteen (14) days or such further time as the officer shall determine and shall permit the county health officer, the county veterinarian or the deputy of either to make an inspection of or examination of the offending animal at any time during the period; provided, however, that in the discretion of either officer such offending animal may be sheltered for the quarantine period.

(Prior code § 54300)

Whenever any animal shall have been exposed to an animal having or suspected of having rabies, the owner of such animal so exposed shall immediately notify the county health officer or the county veterinarian and shall quarantine the exposed animal in such a way to make it impossible for the animal to expose or infect any other animal or person.

A. The county health officer or the county veterinarian shall have the power to destroy any animal so exposed, or expected of having been exposed to a rabid animal, for a period not to exceed six months.

B. Such quarantine order shall specify the place of quarantine and the manner of quarantine.

C. Should an animal to be quarantined require transportation by the animal control department a fee of seven dollars and fifty cents ($7.50) per animal shall apply from the weekday hours of eight a.m. to five p.m., and a fee of twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50) per animal shall apply after five p.m. on weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

(Prior code § 54301)

As a condition precedent to quarantining the offending animal at the premises of the owner, the county health officer or county veterinarian shall obtain from an exposed person or the owner of an exposed animal a written release exonerating the county of Imperial, its officers, agents, and employees from any and all liability arising from the quarantine.

(Prior code § 54302)

The county health officer or the county veterinarian may, if he or she suspects the possible exposure to a rabid animal, require the owner of any unvaccinated animal to declare that the animal has not been exposed to any animal which is capable of carrying rabies, and further require such owner to sign an indemnification which saves harmless the county of Imperial, its officers, agents, and employees from any claim or liability whatsoever in connection with the quarantining or lack thereof of such animal. In the event such owner refuses to execute and deliver such declaration and indemnification, the county veterinarian may place such animal under quarantine as provided by Section 6.12.020.

(Prior code § 54303)

The county health officer or the county veterinarian may seize any animal which has broken its quarantine as required by Section 6.12.010 or 6.12.020 of this code. In the event of seizure, the county health officer or the county veterinarian shall place such animal in quarantine if the owner deposits in advance or posts a bond sufficient to cover he costs of care during the period of quarantine set by the county health officer or county veterinarian. If the owner does not deposit the funds or bond necessary to pay for the cost and are of such animal during the quarantine period, the county health officer or county veterinarian may, after notice to owner has been given sufficient time (not less than seventy-two (72) hours) has been given to post a bond as required by this section, destroy such animal or maintain such animal at county expense. If such animal is cared for at county expense, the animal may be sold by the county at the highest price obtainable; the proceeds of the sale shall be used to defray the cost of care of such animal with any excess being returned to the person from whom the animal was seized.

(Prior code § 54304)

If any animal is quarantined at the county animal shelter, a fee of three dollars ($3.00) per day of confinement shall be paid by the owner of the animal, payable prior to release of the animal to the owner.

(Prior code § 54305)

A. If any wounded or sick animal is quarantined by the county health officer or the county veterinarian, the owner of such animal shall be responsible for the costs of care for such animal during the time of such quarantine, including the costs of ordinary care, medical services, and other veterinarian services and quarantine costs.

B. The county health officer and the county veterinarian are granted the authority to contract with the providers of veterinarian services and to place wounded, exposed or quarantined animals with such contract providers. In entering such contract provider agreements, the officers are authorized to agree to act as a guarantor for the payment of the costs of such services in instances wherein the owners of such animals do not pay the costs of contract services provided.

(Prior code § 54305.5)

The county health officer may at any time declare and impose a quarantine affecting all or part of the county of Imperial if he or she has reasonable cause to believe that rabies carrying vectors are within the geographic limits of the quarantine area.

(Prior code § 54306)

During quarantine period and within any special quarantine area, the county veterinarian, the county health officer, the director of the office of emergency services, and their authorized employees are empowered to capture, shelter or destroy all dogs and cats and/or other animal at large in the unincorporated area of Imperial County.

(Prior code § 54307)

A. A fund to be known as the "rabies eradication fund" is created. All license fees and fines arising from this title, or violation thereof, which shall be assessed and received by any county officer or any court shall be placed in the county treasury in the rabies eradication fund and shall be used only for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this title. In the event that the money in the rabies eradication fund shall be insufficient to pay the cost of providing certificates, receipt forms and tags, as provided for under the terms of this title, the cost thereof shall be paid out of the general fund of the county.

B. The sum of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) may be allocated in any year from the general fund to the rabies eradication fund by the board of supervisors specifically for the purpose of financing an annual education and publicity campaign to instruct the general public concerning the legal requirements and purpose of vaccination and licensing of all dogs.

(Prior code § 54400)

Whenever any person shall observe or learn that any animal show symptoms of rabies, or acts in a manner which would lead to be a reasonable suspicion that it may have rabies, such person immediately notify either the county health officer or the county veterinarian.

(Prior code § 54401)

Upon request of the city council of any incorporated city in Imperial County, state of California, the board of supervisors of Imperial County may contract with such city to provide such city with any or all facilities for rabies control and licensing of dogs. In the event such contract is entered into between any incorporated city in Imperial County and the board of supervisors of Imperial County, the employee or officer so designated by the board may enter such incorporated city to carry out the terms of such contract and to enforce the provisions of this title.

(Prior code § 54402)

If it shall appear to the county health officer or the county veterinarian, upon examination, that any animal has rabies, he or she shall cause the same to be confined in a suitable place or destroyed forthwith.

(Prior code § 54405)