Lake Forest Municipal Code Ch. 10.16 Rabies Control

Every person owning or harboring a dog four months of age or older, for 15 days or more, shall, if not currently vaccinated, have such dog vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian with a vaccine approved by the California Department of Health. By obtaining an antirabies deferment from a licensed veterinarian, and upon approval of the City Manager, dogs that are ill may be given temporary deferment from rabies vaccination requirements: old age of the dog, however, shall not be a basis for such deferment. Such a deferred dog shall be vaccinated within 10 days of the conclusion of the deferment period.

(Ord. 165 § 1, 2007; Ord. 302 § 34, 2018)

The State Director of Health has declared Orange County a rabies area. The Director is authorized under State law to quarantine suspected rabid animals. The City Manager or authorized agent is hereby empowered to enter upon any private property, including the home or residence where the animal is kept or has strayed, to inspect, and if necessary, to seize and impound any animal suspected of being rabid for a period of 14 days (10 days for dogs and cats). The impounding officer shall make reasonable effort to immediately notify the owner or custodian of the animal before it has been impounded and the address of the facility to which it will be taken. If the owner or custodian is not present at the time of impounding, the above notice shall be posted on the property of such owner or custodian, if known. In lieu of impounding the animal, he or she may, by serving a written notice upon the owner, require the owner to quarantine the animal for such period.

No person shall disobey any quarantine order issued by the Director or remove from its place of confinement any animal under quarantine without the permission of the Director.

(Ord. 165 § 1, 2007; Ord. 302 § 34, 2018)

Any person having knowledge of the location of an animal suspected of having rabies, or of any person having been bitten or scratched by any warm blooded mammal, or of any signs of disease or unusual behavior in any animal under quarantine, shall immediately report such facts to the County Animal Control Department or another entity or organization with which the City has contracted for animal control services.

(Ord. 165 § 1, 2007; Ord. 302 § 34, 2018)

No person who owns or harbors any dog shall fail or refuse to exhibit his or her copy of the rabies vaccination form, antirabies inoculation deferment form, or health certificate upon demand by any person charged with the enforcement of this title.

(Ord. 165 § 1, 2007; Ord. 249 § 110, 2013; Ord. 302 § 34, 2018)

Each duly licensed veterinarian after vaccinating any dog shall complete and sign a rabies certificate in triplicate. He or she shall keep one copy and shall give one copy to the owner of the vaccinated dog, which the owner shall retain in his or her possession. He or she shall file the other copy with the County Animal Control Department or another entity or organization with which the City has contracted for animal control services on a monthly basis.

(Ord. 165 § 1, 2007; Ord. 302 § 34, 2018)