Article 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS

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

(Amended by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)

(Repealed by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11)

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

(Amended by Ord. No. 5726 (N.S.), effective 5-8-80; amended by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)

"LIVESTOCK" shall mean 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.

(Amended by Ord. No. 5726 (N.S.), effective 5-8-80; amended by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)

(Repealed by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11)

(Amended by Ord. No. 5726 (N.S.), effective 5-8-80; repealed by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11)

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

(Amended by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)

(Repealed by Ord. No. 5726 (N.S.), effective 5-8-80)

(a) In response to any outbreak of infectious disease in livestock that could threaten human health, the County Veterinarian, acting under the supervision of the State Veterinarian and in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Animal Health Branch and the County Health Officer when appropriate, may enforce all laws of the State of California and all orders and ordinances of the Board of Supervisors pertaining to that outbreak and for that purpose is hereby empowered and authorized by and with the approval of the Board of Supervisors 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. The County Veterinarian may also supervise examination and testing of animals or premises for the presence of contagious, infectious, or communicable disease.

(b) In the case of any outbreak of infectious disease in livestock that does not threaten human health, the County Veterinarian may request assistance for the County from the State Veterinarian, shall defer to that State official to enforce state laws, and to the extent feasible shall assist that State official. If the State Veterinarian is unable to respond, then the County Veterinarian may require examination and testing of animals or premises for the presence of contagious, infectious, or communicable disease and also 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.

(Amended by Ord. No. 5726 (N.S.), effective 5-8-80; amended by Ord. No. 8358 (N.S.), effective 3-17-94; amended by Ord. No. 9663 (N.S.), effective 8-14-04; amended by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11; amended by Ord. No. 10238 (N.S.), effective 1-4-13; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)

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

(Amended by Ord. No. 5726 (N.S.), effective 5-8-80; amended by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11; amended by Ord. No. 10238 (N.S.), effective 1-4-13; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)

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

(Amended by Ord. No. 5726 (N.S.), effective 5-8-80; amended by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)

All livestock brought into the County 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 County and the protection of the health of the domestic livestock therein.

(Amended by Ord. No. 5726 (N.S.), effective 5-8-80; amended by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)

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.

(Amended by Ord. No. 5726 (N.S.), effective 5-8-80; amended by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)

(Repealed by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11)

(Repealed by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11)

(Amended by Ord. No. 2046 (N.S.), effective 6-16-60; amended by Ord. No. 4188 (N.S.), effective 11-29-73; repealed by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)

At such times and places within the County as determined by the County Veterinarian, in accordance with their authority and duties prescribed by law, may require 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 the Board of Supervisors. The County Veterinarian may issue health certificates based on their findings resulting from required tests or from such livestock examinations as may be authorized by law. The fees for health certificates shall be collected in advance by the County Veterinarian and shall be as specified by the Board of Supervisors.

(Amended by Ord. No. 5726 (N.S.), effective 5-8-80; amended by Ord. No. 6715 (N.S.), effective 2-17-84; amended by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11; amended by Ord. No. 10238 (N.S.), effective 1-4-13; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)

(Amended by Ord. No. 5726 (N.S.), effective 5-8-80; repealed by Ord. No. 10098 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11)