Poway Municipal Code Art. I General Provisions

Whenever in this chapter the following terms are used they shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section:

A.

“Immediate slaughter”

means and applies to livestock shipped to a public stockyard and released therefrom for slaughter, and to livestock shipped to the plant or premises of a firm regularly engaged in the slaughter of animals under approved inspection.

B.

“Infectious disease”

includes any infectious, contagious or communicable disease considered by the County Veterinarian to be sufficiently dangerous to the welfare of the City and to the health of the livestock therein to warrant putting into effect the provisions of this chapter and their rules and regulations.

C.

“Livestock”

means any horses, mules, asses, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, poultry, rabbits, pet birds, or dogs and cats, and fish, or any animal or animals ordinarily considered as wild animals which are kept in captivity or under control or ownership of any person for any purpose.

D.

“Stockyard”

means and applies to any stockyard, corral or premises wherein public trading in livestock is carried on, or where yarding, feeding and watering facilities are provided and where Federal, State or County inspection is maintained for the inspection of livestock for infectious disease.

E.

“Tuberculin test”

means any test approved by the Veterinary Services Division, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, United States Department of Agriculture for the detection of tuberculosis in animals.

(CC § 62.101 – 62.106; Ord. 29 § 1, 1981)

This chapter shall in all respects be construed to supplement and harmonize with the provisions of the laws of the State pertaining to animal husbandry.

(CC § 62.107; Ord. 29 § 1, 1981)

A. It shall be the duty of the County Veterinarian, acting in cooperation with the State Bureau of Animal Health, to enforce all laws of the State and all orders and ordinances of the City Council pertaining to the health and sanitary surroundings of the livestock, in the City, and for that purpose is empowered by this chapter and authorized by and with the approval of the City Council to establish, maintain and enforce such quarantine, sanitary, testing and immunizing measures or to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be deemed proper and necessary.

B. The County Veterinarian shall supervise examination and testing of animals or premises for the presence of contagious, infectious, or communicable disease; attend such meetings and conferences as may be called from time to time by the Bureau of Animal Industry or the Director of Agriculture. He shall investigate with the State any reported outbreak of contagious, infectious or communicable disease, the presence of which in the State may constitute a menace to the health of livestock in the City; shall investigate, make diagnosis of, and institute control measures for any suspicious case of rabies of animals reported by the Health Officer or any other person or agency. A report of such investigation shall be furnished to the Health Officer. The County Veterinarian shall supervise and administer the operation of the livestock and poultry laboratory.

(CC § 62.109; Ord. 29 § 1, 1981)

The County Veterinarian is empowered by this chapter to enter any premises where livestock is kept, or on which he has reason to believe that livestock is kept, in order to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter.

(CC § 62.110; Ord. 29 § 1, 1981)

It is unlawful for any person to interfere with the official actions of the County Veterinarian.

(CC § 62.111; Ord. 29 § 1, 1981)

All livestock brought into the City in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to quarantine, examination and test at the expense of the owner by the County Veterinarian, who may dispose of such livestock to comport with the welfare of the City and the protection of the health of the domestic livestock therein.

(CC § 62.112; Ord. 29 § 1, 1981)

It is hereby made the duty of any person suspecting or having knowledge of the presence of any infectious disease in livestock to report same to the County Veterinarian. It shall be the duty of any person owning or having control of livestock to assist the County Veterinarian to enforce the provisions of this chapter, to obey all orders of the County Veterinarian made for the control and eradication of infectious disease, the sanitation of premises, the destruction of livestock and the disposal of carcasses, manure, offal, refuse, condemned meat and meat products.

(CC § 62.113; Ord. 29 § 1, 1981)

It is unlawful for any person to maintain a rat menace where livestock is kept.

(CC § 62.114; Ord. 29 § 1, 1981)

All premises where livestock is kept, fed, stabled or otherwise cared for, or any premises on which a hog ranch or slaughterhouse is maintained or where meat products are prepared for food shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition.

(CC § 62.115; Ord. 29 § 1, 1981)

The County Veterinarian is hereby empowered to vaccinate animals for rabies at the request of the owner or person in possession of the animal vaccinated or whenever in his judgment the County Veterinarian deems such vaccination a necessary part of the control program authorized by this chapter.

(CC § 62.116; Ord. 29 § 1, 1981)

At such times and places within the City as he determines, the County Veterinarian, in accordance with his authority and duties prescribed by law, may perform such tests as may be required to make proper diagnosis of various conditions and diseases in livestock as may be authorized from time to time by resolution of the City Council. Any person desiring such a test shall provide the County Veterinarian with such samples and/or specimens as the County Veterinarian may require. The County Veterinarian may issue health certificates based on his findings resulting from such tests or from such livestock examinations as may be authorized by law. The fees for such tests and health certificates shall be collected in advance by the County Veterinarian and shall be as specified by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

(CC § 62.117; Ord. 29 § 1, 1981)

Any permits issued under the provisions of this chapter may be revoked by the City Council on recommendation of the County Veterinarian for violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any of the rules and regulations established under the authority thereof, or because the conduct or location of such premises has become a nuisance. Such permit shall be subject to suspension by the County Veterinarian for the same cause or causes and until the conditions resulting in such violation are remedied or because the business no longer comports with public health and welfare. During the period of such suspension, the County Veterinarian may in his discretion permit such preparation of food products in an establishment for the slaughtering of animals or for the preparation of meat products as is absolutely necessary to preserve the food value thereof.

(CC § 62.118; Ord. 29 § 1, 1981)