Torrance Municipal Code Art. 4 Rabies Vaccination

(Amended by O-3761)

a) Every person owning, keeping, harboring, or having a dog over the age of four months in the City, shall cause that dog to be vaccinated with rabies vaccine within a period of thirty days from the date of harboring, keeping or having the dog within the City or from the date the dog attains the age of four months.

b) Thereafter, every person shall cause the dog to maintain current and valid vaccinations with rabies vaccine as prescribed by a person licensed by the State of California or by any other state in the United States to practice veterinary medicine.

c) Proof of a current and valid rabies vaccination is required at the time of application of an annual dog license. The rabies vaccination must be valid for one full year from the date of application for dog license.

d) Any violation of this section is a misdemeanor, or alternatively, an infraction.

e) This section may be enforced by a city police officer, animal control officer, animal control supervisor, code enforcement officer, or any City employee authorized under Section 11.2.5 of the Torrance Municipal Code.

During the month of June of each year, the poundmaster of the City shall provide facilities for the inoculation with rabies vaccine of any dog for which a license is required by the City. Such facilities shall be sufficient to accommodate not less than one hundred (100) nor more than two hundred (200) dogs during any one (1) day during such period of time.

Every licensed and practicing veterinarian in the City shall, prior to inoculating dogs with rabies vaccine, file and maintain with the City Clerk of the City a fee schedule for such services which shall indicate thereon fees applicable for inoculating one (1) dog during any one (1) day, from two (2) to twenty (20) dogs during any one (1) day, from twenty-one (21) to one hundred (100) during any one (1) day and for one hundred (100) or more dogs during any one (1) day.

Every person practicing veterinary medicine in the City who vaccinates a dog with rabies vaccine shall issue to the person keeping, harboring or having such dog a certificate which is signed by said veterinarian and which states thereon the name and description of said dog, the date of such vaccination and the type of vaccine used, and shall send a duplicate copy thereof to the poundmaster.

Every person applying for a dog license, either to the poundmaster or to the City Clerk, must exhibit a certificate issued by a person licensed by the State of California or by any other state or nation to practice veterinary medicine, which certificate shall show that the dog for which the license shall be issued either:

a) Has been vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of Section 41.4.1.;

b) Should not be vaccinated with rabies vaccine by reason of permanent infirmity; or

c) Should not be vaccinated with rabies vaccine by reason of a short-term illness for which such dog is being confined, in which case, a license shall be paid for and held either in the Office of the City Clerk or by the poundmaster until such time the aforesaid certificate of vaccination or of permanent infirmity is presented for such dog. A license shall not be issued unless and until such a certificate is so exhibited.

At the time a dog license of the City is issued, it shall be stamped with the date of vaccination and the type of vaccine used as shown on said certificate, or if the license is issued as a result of the aforesaid certificate of infirmity, the words "No Vaccination Required" shall be stamped thereon. The tag issued with such license shall be worn at all times by the dog for which said license is issued.

If the poundmaster suspects that any dog so impounded has rabies, he shall hold such dog for inspection by a health officer of Los Angeles County. In the event that such health officer shall determine that such dog is afflicted with rabies, it shall be disposed of or confined for such time as the health officer shall direct. In the event that such health officer suspects that such dog may develop rabies, it shall be confined for such time as the health officer shall direct. Whenever such health officer shall determine that such dog does not have rabies, it shall be released in accordance with the provisions of Section 41.2.12.