(A) Owner reporting and quarantine instructions.
(1) The owner of an animal which bites or scratches (with skin broken) a person shall immediately: (i) notify Animal Services or the Police Department, giving the name and address of the person bitten or scratched, if known; and (ii) obey any quarantine instructions given by the responding officer. Failure to obey the quarantine instructions is cause for the impoundment of the animal for the quarantine period.
(2) It is also the duty of every physician or other medical practitioner to report to the Animal Shelter or Police Department the names and addresses of persons treated for bites inflicted by animals, together with other information as will be helpful in rabies control.
(B) Quarantine requirement. Each animal in violation of the Rabies Control Act (see Cal. Health and Safety Code §§ 121575 through 121710), or of the rabies control provisions of this chapter, shall be quarantined or impounded, and is subject to destruction in some humane manner. Such animals are also subject to other disposition as provided by this chapter.
(1) General. Each animal that has bitten a person or is suspected of having been exposed to rabies shall be securely quarantined at the discretion of the Animal Control Supervisor and at the owner's expense. Upon demand by the Animal Control Supervisor, the owner shall immediately surrender the animal.
(2) Location of quarantine. At the discretion of the Animal Control Supervisor, the quarantine may be on the premises of the owner, at the Animal Shelter or at a veterinary hospital of the owner's choice. In the case of a stray animals or an animal whose owner is not known, the quarantine shall be at the Animal Shelter.
(3) Time period. The animal shall be quarantined for a period of ten days.
(4) Release; fees. The animal shall not be released from quarantine except by written permission of the Animal Control Supervisor. The owner may reclaim the animal if the animal is adjudged free from rabies. Before the release, the owner shall pay board fees if applicable and comply with licensing provisions. (See § 6-1.302.)
(5) Rabies diagnosis. When an animal under quarantine has been diagnosed as being rabid, or is suspected by a licensed veterinarian as being rabid, and dies while under observation, the Animal Control Supervisor shall immediately send the animal's head to the appropriate health department for pathological examination, and shall notify the proper public health officer of reports of contacts and the diagnosis made of the suspected animal.
(C) Self-defense. No person shall kill, or cause to be killed, any rabid animal, any animal suspected of having been exposed to rabies, or any animal biting a human, unless in self-defense or the defense of others, except as provided in this section, nor remove the animal from the city without written permission from the Animal Control Supervisor.
(Ord. 2083-C-S, passed 4-8-14)