Lassen County Municipal Code Ch. 8.14 Rabies Control

The county health officer shall supervise rabies control. If the health officer finds that rabies exists in this county, he/she shall take measures to abate the condition, which may include the quarantine of any animal. The animal control supervisor shall cooperate with and assist the health officer in carrying out any measures necessary for rabies control, including, but not limited to, the holding of rabies clinics.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

(a) The animal control officer shall assure that all animals falling into the following categories are isolated or quarantined at the place and under the conditions prescribed by the health officer and pertinent state laws and regulations:

(1) Known rabid animals;

(2) Suspected rabid animals;

(3) Animals that have bitten or otherwise exposed a human to rabies;

(4) Animals of a species subject to rabies which have been bitten by a known rabid or suspected rabid animal or have come in close contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal.

(b) It is unlawful for the owner or keeper of an animal to violate any of the conditions of isolation or quarantine prescribed by the health officer. Violation of this section shall be deemed a misdemeanor.

(c) The owner or possessor of any animal which is confined, isolated, examined or destroyed, pursuant to Section 2606 et seq., of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations (regarding rabid and suspected rabid or biting animals) is liable for the costs of such confinement, isolation, examination, or destruction, whether or not the animal is returned to the owner or possessor.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

Upon the death of any rabid animal, clinically suspected rabid animal, or animal which has bitten or otherwise exposed a human to rabies, the animal control officer shall obtain and turn over to the health officer the carcass of such animal or an adequate specimen thereof.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

The health officer may determine and declare that a rabies epidemic or other unusually dangerous health situation exists among dogs or other animals in this county, or in any part thereof. Upon making such a declaration, the health officer shall prepare and promulgate, pursuant to Section 1500 et seq., of the California Health and Safety Code such rules and regulations as are necessary for the conduct of all persons within the area where the dangerous condition exists, and such rules and regulations as are necessary for the control of the dogs and other animals within the area. These rules and regulations of the health officer may include, but are not limited to, quarantine, vaccination, and destruction of diseased or suspected or stray animals by humane methods. It shall be the duty of the supervisor of animal control to comply with all directives of the health officer in the enforcement of the rules and regulations. A violation of any such rules and regulations shall be deemed a violation of this title.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

It shall be the duty of all animal control officers to comply with all directives of the health officer in the enforcement of the rules and regulations relating to the declaration of an epidemic. The rules and regulations, when adopted, shall become and thereafter be a part of this chapter.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

(a) Duties of Owner or Possessor. An owner or possessor of any dog over four months old, or one who brings a dog more than four months old into the county, shall within four months of the dog's birth or ten days of its entry into the county, whichever is later, shall procure and maintain the dog's vaccination for rabies. The veterinarian who vaccinates the dog shall issue a vaccination certificate to its owner or possessor, in accordance with procedures established by the health officer.

(b) Exemption. A dog is exempt from vaccination if a veterinarian has examined the dog and certified in writing that at such time vaccination would endanger the dog's health due to illness or advanced age. The rabies must be obtained within ten days of the dog's recovery from the illness.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

The health officer, in cooperation with the county clerk and the animal control supervisor, shall establish public dog vaccination clinics at least once each calendar year. The charge for vaccination at such clinics shall not exceed the actual cost involved.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

Any person or parent or guardian of such person, or an owner of an animal who is bitten or scratched by an animal of a species subject to rabies shall immediately report such incident to the health officer or an animal control officer.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

Every veterinarian 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. A "report of animal bite" card shall be filled out and delivered to the health department within twenty-four hours of their examination.

(Ord. 533 § 4, 1997; Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)

(Ord. 533-A § 4, 2000; Ord. 2022-10 § 2)