Chapter 6.10
RABIES AND QUARANTINE
Sections:
6.10.015 Rabies vaccination required – Regulations.
6.10.020 Dogs and cats – Rabies vaccination required – Civil violation.
6.10.021 Quarantine of animals – Procedures.
6.10.022 Quarantine at the shelter – Procedures.
6.10.023 Quarantine upon the premises of a licensed veterinarian – Procedures.
6.10.040 Wolves and wolf hybrids.
6.10.050 Failure to comply – Civil violation.
6.10.080 Animal rabies control.
6.10.015 Rabies vaccination required – Regulations.
A. All mammals kept as pets shall be vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the standard contained in the Compendium of Animal Rabies Control as amended, published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc.
B. The animal control officer may issue a notice of infraction to the owner of any dog or cat, if the officer has reasonable cause to believe said dog or cat is not vaccinated against rabies.
C. Failure or refusal by the owner to produce a rabies vaccination certificate for his/her dog or cat, upon request by the animal control officer, shall be reasonable cause for the officer to issue a notice of infraction to the owner for violation of SMC 6.10.020. (Ord. 99-007)
6.10.020 Dogs and cats – Rabies vaccination required – Civil violation.
The following regulation is designed to protect public health and safety as well as the welfare of dogs and cats. The penalty for violation of this regulation is imposed without regard to any wrongful intention of the violator. It is unlawful for the owner of any dog or cat over the age of six months to fail to have said dog or cat vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the standards described in SMC 6.10.015(A). (Ord. 99-007)
6.10.021 Quarantine of animals – Procedures.
A. Whenever the animal control officer suspects that any animal capable of transmitting rabies is infected with such disease or the animal has bitten, inflicting a bite wound where the skin is perforated, he/she shall immediately impound and hold the animal until the director, his designee, or the shelter officer reviews pertinent details as follows:
1. Rabies vaccination status;
2. History of other incidents;
3. Provocation of attack;
4. Need for quarantine;
If, after examination of the above details, the need for quarantine is established, the animal control officer shall prescribe procedures for, and a period for, quarantine not to exceed 10 days and he/she shall notify the owner in writing. At the discretion of the animal control officer, such animal shall be quarantined at the shelter or upon the premises of any licensed veterinarian where conditions of quarantine are strictly kept.
B. The quarantined animal shall not be released from quarantine until after the period of quarantine has expired, the animal has been examined by a licensed veterinarian and found free from any signs or symptoms of rabies or other zoonotic disease, the required vaccinations are obtained, and the owner has paid the cost of quarantine and examination. Animals found to be affected by rabies shall be humanely destroyed. (Ord. 99-007)
6.10.022 Quarantine at the shelter – Procedures.
A. If the animal becomes sick or dies or shows any signs or symptoms of rabies during the quarantine period, the shelter officer shall immediately notify the animal control officer. Upon notification, the shelter officer shall make arrangements to have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian at the owner’s expense. If the veterinarian determines or suspects that the animal is infected with rabies or other zoonotic disease, he/she shall immediately notify the animal control officer and any other government authority as required by law. Upon notification, the animal control officer shall notify any person bitten by the animal of the findings of the veterinarian.
B. At the end of the quarantine period, and within five days thereafter, the shelter officer shall make arrangements to have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian at the owner’s expense. The veterinarian shall examine the animal and report his/her findings as provided in SMC 6.10.023(B)(1) and (2).
C. Any animal impounded and/or quarantined at the shelter shall not be released until the owner or other authorized person pays impound fees and costs as set forth in SMC 6.16.030. The owner shall pay impound fees and costs as set forth in SMC 6.16.030.
D. Any animal surrendered by its owner may be humanely destroyed by euthanasia after the end of the quarantine period and after examination by a licensed veterinarian. The owner shall pay impound fees and costs as set forth in SMC 6.16.030. (Ord. 99-007)
6.10.023 Quarantine upon the premises of a licensed veterinarian – Procedures.
A. If the animal becomes sick or dies or shows any signs or symptoms of rabies during the quarantine period, the veterinarian shall immediately implement normal rabies procedures and notify the animal control officer and any other government authority as required by law. Upon notification, the animal control officer shall notify any person bitten by the animal of the findings of the veterinarian.
B. At the end of the quarantine period, and within five days thereafter, the veterinarian shall examine the animal and update required vaccinations at the owner’s expense, and report his/her findings as follows:
1. If the veterinarian determines or suspects that the animal is infected with rabies or other zoonotic disease, he/she shall immediately notify the animal control officer and any other government authority as required by law. Upon notification, the animal control officer shall notify any person bitten by the animal of the findings of the veterinarian;
2. If the veterinarian determines that the animal is healthy, he/she shall provide a signed statement (on form provided by the animal control authority) indicating that the animal was examined and found free from any signs or symptoms of rabies or other zoonotic disease. The veterinarian shall deliver or mail the statement to the animal control officer. Upon the receipt of the statement, the animal control officer shall file the statement with his/her report and notify any person bitten by the animal of the findings of the veterinarian. (Ord. 99-007)
6.10.040 Wolves and wolf hybrids.
The owner of any dog which has been declared, by a veterinarian or by acceptable documentation, as a wolf or wolf hybrid, and has inflicted a bite on a human or domestic animal or livestock, shall notify the animal control officer of the bite. The animal control officer shall impound the animal pursuant to Chapter 6.11 SMC.
Any wolf or wolf hybrid that has bitten shall be euthanized by a veterinarian and shall be tested for rabies. The owner of the wolf or wolf hybrid impounded by the animal control officer will be liable for all expenses incurred. (Ord. 99-007)
6.10.050 Failure to comply – Civil violation.
The preceding regulation is designed to protect public health and safety. The penalty for violation of SMC 6.10.040 is imposed without regard to any wrongful intention of the violator. Violation of SMC 6.10.040 is a Class 1 civil violation. (Ord. 99-007)
6.10.075 Bitten animals.
The procedures outlined in the Compendium of Animal Rabies Control, as amended, published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc., shall be followed when an animal is bitten by another animal found to be rabid. (Ord. 99-007)
6.10.080 Animal rabies control.
Any questions left unanswered in this section will be referred to the Compendium of Animal Rabies Control, as amended, published by the National Association of State Public Veterinarians, Inc. (Ord. 99-007)