San Marcos Municipal Code Ch. 6.08 Rabies Provisions

The owner of a dog shall ensure that the dog is vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, with a rabies vaccine approved by the California Department of Health Services for use in dogs, within 30 days after it becomes four months of age or within 30 days after obtaining or bringing any dog over four months of age into the City. Such vaccination shall be repeated at intervals specified by the California Department of Health Services in order to maintain adequate immunity. Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 2002-1136, 3-12-02; Ord. No. 2018-1467, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

The Animal Control Authority shall provide or arrange for rabies vaccination and licensing clinics to be held at various locations where dog owners may obtain the required rabies vaccinations at the applicable fee.

(Ord. No. 2018-1467, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

(a)

Any veterinarian who vaccinates a dog for rabies shall certify such vaccination by properly completing, as provided in Section 6.04.020, the rabies vaccination certificate form and shall forward monthly to the Animal Control Authority a copy of each form so completed.

(b)

The owner of a dog shall retain the rabies vaccination certificate for the interval during which the rabies vaccination is effective, and shall produce the rabies vaccination certificate for inspection by any person responsible for enforcing the provisions of this title or any person bitten by the dog.

(Ord. No. 2002-1136, 3-12-02; Ord. No. 2018-1467, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, a dog need not be vaccinated for rabies during an illness if a licensed veterinarian has examined the dog and certified in writing that such vaccination should be postponed because of a specified illness. Old age, debility, and pregnancy are not considered valid exemptions from a rabies vaccination. Exemption certificates are subject to approval by the Animal Control Authority and shall be valid only for the duration of the illness. Exemption from vaccination does not exempt a dog from the dog licensing requirements of Chapter 6.12 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 2018-1467, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

The owner of any animal which shows symptoms of rabies or which acts in a manner which would lead to a reasonable suspicion that the animal may have rabies, shall notify the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer and comply with appropriate laws and regulations regarding suspected cases of rabies as directed by the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer. Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 2018-1467, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

(a)

A person bitten and the parent or guardian of a minor child bitten by any animal of a species subject to rabies shall notify the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer as soon as possible thereafter. Physicians treating such bites and other persons having the knowledge of such bites shall also be required to make such notification to the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the bite.

(b)

The owner of any animal of a species subject to rabies that bites a person shall notify the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer as soon as possible thereafter. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 2018-1467, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

Upon the order of the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer, a suspected rabid animal shall be isolated in strict confinement under proper care and under the observation of a licensed veterinarian in an animal shelter, veterinary hospital, or other adequate facility in a manner approved by the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer, and such animal shall not be killed or released for at least ten days after the onset of symptoms suggestive of rabies, unless permission is obtained from the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer to sacrifice the animal for the purpose of laboratory examination. Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 2018-1467, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

(a)

Upon the order of the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer, any animal of a species subject to rabies, other than a dog or cat, which bites or otherwise exposes a person to rabies shall be impounded and isolated in strict confinement in a place and manner approved by the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer and observed for at least 14 days after the day of infliction of the bite or other exposure, and until examined and released by the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer. Dogs and cats need only be isolated and observed for at least ten days after the day of infliction of the bite or other exposure, and until examined and released by the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer.

(b)

Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer may authorize, with permission of the owner, if known, the euthanasia of a biting animal for the purpose of laboratory examination.

(c)

Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 2002-1136, 3-12-02; Ord. No. 2018-1467, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

(a)

Any animal of a species subject to rabies which has been bitten by a known rabid or suspected rabid animal, or which has been in intimate contact with such an animal shall be isolated in strict confinement in a place and manner approved by the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer and observed for a period of six months or destroyed.

(b)

Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the following alternative is permitted in the case of dogs and cats. If the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to the suspected exposure with a type of vaccine and within the time period approved by the California Department of Health Services, the dog or cat may be re-vaccinated immediately (within 48 hours of the bite or intimate contact with the suspected rabid animal) in a manner prescribed by the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer. The dog or cat must also be isolated in strict confinement in a place and manner approved by the Animal Control Authority or the Health Officer and observed for a period of 30 days following re-vaccination.

(c)

Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 2002-1136, 3-12-02; Ord. No. 2018-1467, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

The owner of any animal which is isolated under the provisions of this chapter, shall pay all fees and expenses related to the isolation including, but not limited to, the impoundment, confinement, quarantine, board, examination, and release of the animal from quarantine, and any altering deposit or fee required by this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2002-1136, 3-12-02; Ord. No. 2018-1467, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)