Modesto Municipal Code Art. 1 Diseased Animals

Whenever the City Health Officer shall have reasonable cause to believe that any animal, either licensed or unlicensed, is diseased or has bitten any person, the City Health Officer is hereby authorized to quarantine said animal on the premises of the owner if the City Health Officer deems the restraint adequate, or to cause such animal to be impounded for a period of ten (10) days in order to determine whether or not the animal is rabid or is suffering from any other animal disease dangerous to human beings or to animals in the City.

(Ord. 594-N.S., amended by Ord. 639-C.S., and Ord. 1284-C.S., effective 10-1-83)

The City Health Officer may have such animal observed and examined by a veterinarian or other qualified person; and if the animal is determined to be rabid or to be suffering from any other animal disease dangerous to human beings or to animals in the City, the City Health Officer shall direct the Chief of Police to dispose of the animal, and the Chief of Police shall carry out the directions of the City Health Officer in that regard. Otherwise, said animal shall be released to the owner or person entitled to its possession after payment of costs as provided by Section 5-4.103 of this article. No dog shall be destroyed unless notice has been given by the Chief of Police in accordance with the provisions of Section 5-4.213 of this chapter.

(Ord. 594-N.S., amended by Ord. 639-C.S., and Ord. 1284-C.S., effective 10-1-83)

The cost of feeding, keeping or treating an animal impounded in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be borne by the owner thereof, or the person having legal custody of said animal at the time said animal is taken into custody. Said cost may be recovered by the City from said owner or person having legal custody of said animal at the time said animal is taken into custody in any action at law or in equity.

(Ord. 594-N.S., amended by Ord. 639-C.S., Ord. 1284-C.S., effective 10-1-83, and amended during 11-98 supplement)

It is hereby made the duty of any person having knowledge that any animal has bitten a human being within the limits of the City to immediately report that fact to the Health Officer with full information in regard to the incident.

In the event that the Chief of Police secures information that any animal is diseased, or has bitten any person, or of the existence of any case of rabies or other animal disease dangerous to human beings or to animals in the City, he shall report the same to the Health Officer and thereafter carry out all of the directions received by him from the City Health Officer in regard to the control of such disease, the quarantine of any animals, or any other directions that may be given to him by the City Health Officer in respect to the same.

(Ord. 639-C.S., amended by Ord. 1284-C.S., effective 10-1-83)