Chapter 6.36
RABIES CONTROL
Sections:
6.36.030 Epidemic – Declaration.
6.36.040 Epidemic – Rules enforcement.
6.36.050 Vaccination – Required.
6.36.060 Vaccination – Exemption.
6.36.070 Vaccination – Public clinic.
6.36.090 Animal bite – Medical report.
6.36.010 Quarantine.
A. The animal services executive director shall assure that all animals in the following categories are isolated or quarantined at the place and under the conditions prescribed by the county health officer and pertinent state laws and regulations:
1. Known rabid animals;
2. Suspected rabid animals;
3. Animals that have bitten or otherwise exposed a human to rabies;
4. Animals of a species subject to rabies, which have been bitten by a known rabid or suspected rabid animal or have come in close contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal.
B. The owner of a quarantined animal shall pay a fee as set forth in the fee schedule under HMC 6.50.010 for the animal services costs in providing and ensuring that the animal is properly quarantined. If the person fails or refuses to obey the lawful order for isolation or quarantine of an animal for rabies observations by the county health officer, any animal services staff may impound the animal for such quarantine at additional expense to the owner at the rate as established in the fee schedule. The person may also be found guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.36.020 Carcass delivery.
Upon the death of any rabid animal, clinically suspected rabid animal, or animal which has bitten or otherwise exposed a human to rabies, the animal services executive director shall obtain and turn over to the health officer the carcass of such animal or an adequate specimen thereof. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.36.030 Epidemic – Declaration.
The county health officer may determine and declare that a rabies epidemic or other unusually dangerous health situation exists among dogs or other animals in the county, or in any part thereof. Upon making such a declaration, the health officer shall prepare and promulgate, with the approval of the board of supervisors, such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the control of persons and animals within the area where the dangerous conditions exist. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.36.040 Epidemic – Rules enforcement.
It shall be the duty of the animal services executive director to comply with all directives of the county health officer in the enforcement of the rules and regulations. The rules and regulations, when adopted, shall become and thereafter be a part of this chapter. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.36.050 Vaccination – Required.
Every dog shall have a medically current vaccination with an anti-rabies vaccine approved by the California Department of Public Health. The vaccination shall be administered by a veterinarian or as provided through county recognized clinics, and a certificate of vaccination shall be issued to the owner. The certificate of rabies vaccination which accompanies the license application shall be valid if in compliance with the following immunization schedule:
A. Primary Immunization. Primary immunization shall be defined as the initial inoculation of an approved canine rabies vaccine administered to young dogs between the ages of four to 12 months.
B. Revaccination Intervals. The interval for revaccination of dogs administered primary immunization between the ages of four to 12 months will be 12 months. The interval for primary or revaccination of dogs administered rabies vaccine over the age of 12 months shall be at least once every three years. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.36.060 Vaccination – Exemption.
Notwithstanding the provisions of HMC 6.36.050, no dog need be vaccinated for rabies where a licensed veterinarian has certified that the vaccination would endanger the dog’s health. The certificate must bear the date of issuance and must be renewed each year. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.36.070 Vaccination – Public clinic.
The animal services executive director shall establish public dog vaccination clinics at least once each calendar year. The charge for the rabies vaccination at such clinics shall not exceed the actual cost involved. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013)
6.36.080 Animal bite report.
A. Any person, or parent or guardian of such person, or an owner of an animal, bitten or scratched by an animal of a species subject to rabies shall immediately report such incident to the county health officer or the animal services executive director. Additionally the owner or other person having custody or control of any animal, who bites a human, shall immediately notify the county health officer or the animal services executive director of such bite, giving the name and address of the person bitten, if known.
B. Willfully concealing the location or ownership of the an animal subject to rabies, that has bitten or otherwise exposed a person to rabies, with intent to prevent the quarantine or isolation of that animal by the county health officer may be found guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989. Formerly 6.36.070)
6.36.090 Animal bite – Medical report.
Every veterinarian and every person providing professional medical treatment for animal bite by an animal of a species subject to rabies shall immediately notify the health department whenever rabies is suspected. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989. Formerly 6.36.080)