SEC. 62.613. EXEMPTION FROM RABIES VACCINATION DURING ILLNESS.

(a) The owner or custodian of a dog shall have the dog 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 the dog becomes four months of age or within 30 days after obtaining or bringing a dog four months of age or older into the unincorporated area of the County. A dog owner or custodian shall also have the dog receive subsequent vaccinations at the intervals the California Department of Health Services requires.

(b) The owner or custodian shall retain the rabies certificate for inspection and produce the certificate when requested by: (1) any person who enforces this chapter, (2) any person bitten by the dog or (3) any law enforcement officer. No person who possesses a rabies certificate shall refuse to produce the certificate when it is requested pursuant to this section.

(Amended by Ord. No. 7906 (N.S.), effective 6-20-91; repealed and added by Ord. No. 8211 (N.S.), effective 4-1-93; amended by Ord. No. 8353 (N.S.), effective 3-3-94; repealed and added by Ord. No. 8422 (N.S.), effective 8-11-94; repealed and readopted by Ord. No. 9098 (N.S.), effective 12-16-99; repealed and readopted by Ord. No. 9274 (N.S.), effective 12-15-00; repealed and readopted by Ord. No. 9420 (N.S.), effective 2-2-02; amended by Ord. No. 10036 (N.S.), effective 2-26-10; amended by Ord. No. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1-10-25)

SEC. 62.611. [RESERVED.]

(Amended by Ord. No. 7906 (N.S.), effective 6-20-91; repealed and added by Ord. No. 8211 (N.S.), effective 4-1-93; amended by Ord. No. 8353 (N.S.), effective 3-3-94; repealed and added by Ord. No. 8422 (N.S.), effective 8-11-94; repealed and readopted by Ord. No. 9098 (N.S.), effective 12-16-99; repealed and readopted by Ord. No. 9274 (N.S.), effective 12-15-00; repealed and readopted by Ord. No. 9420 (N.S.), effective 2-2-02; repealed by Ord. No. 10036 (N.S.), effective 2-26-10)

SEC. 62.612. CERTIFICATE OF VACCINATION.

(a) A veterinarian who vaccinates a dog for rabies shall certify the vaccination by properly completing the "license application - rabies certificate form" the County issues or another rabies vaccination form the County approves. In order to be complete, the vaccination certificate shall contain all the following:

(1) The dog owner's first and last name, street address and mailing address, if different, and telephone number.

(2) The dog's name and description, including breed, color, sex and if known, day, month and year of birth.

(3) The type, lot number, and manufacturer of the rabies vaccine.

(4) The date of vaccination.

(5) The signature, or an authorized signature, of the veterinarian administering the vaccine.

(b) A veterinarian who vaccinates a dog for rabies shall forward to the Department a copy of each completed form at least once a month.

SEC. 62.613. EXEMPTION FROM RABIES VACCINATION DURING ILLNESS.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the owner or custodian of a dog shall not be required to have the dog vaccinated for rabies during an illness if a licensed veterinarian has examined the dog and certifies in writing that vaccination should be postponed because of a specified illness. A dog's old age, weakness or pregnancy is not considered a valid reason to excuse a dog from receiving a rabies vaccination. An exemption certificate is subject to the Department's approval and shall only be valid for the duration of a dog's illness. An exemption from vaccination does not exempt a dog owner or custodian from the requirement to obtain a license for a dog.

SEC. 62.614. REPORTING SUSPECTED CASE OF RABIES.

An animal owner or custodian whose animal exhibits rabies symptoms or acts in a manner which would lead a reasonable person to suspect that the animal may have rabies, shall notify the Department or the Health Officer and comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding suspected cases of rabies. An animal owner or custodian of an animal that is suspected of having rabies shall also comply with all instructions and orders from the Department and the Health Officer.

SEC. 62.615. REPORTING OF BITES.

(a) A person bitten and the parents or guardians of a minor child bitten by a dog, cat, skunk, fox, bat, coyote, bobcat or other animal of a species subject to rabies shall notify the Department or the Health Officer as soon as practicable after the bite.

(b) A physician treating a bite and any other person that knows of a bite by an animal of a species subject to rabies shall notify the Department or the Health Officer as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the bite.

(c) An animal owner or custodian of an animal of a species subject to rabies which bites a person shall notify the Department or the Health Officer as soon as practicable after the person knows of the bite.

(d) A person having knowledge of a bite by an animal subject to rabies, who fails to report the bite within 24 hours of the bite, shall be deemed to have violated this section unless the person establishes that it was impossible for that person to report the bite earlier.

SEC. 62.616. CONFINEMENT AND ISOLATION OF SUSPECTED RABID ANIMALS.

(a) The Department or the Health Officer may order the owner or custodian of a suspected rabid animal to deliver the animal to be confined and isolated under the care and observation of a licensed veterinarian at an animal shelter, veterinary hospital or other facility as approved by the Department or the Health Officer. The order may also include a prohibition against destroying the animal.

(b) It shall be unlawful for a person to fail to comply with an order the Department or the Health Officer issues under this section. The Department or the Health Officer, however, may grant permission to destroy the animal for the purpose of laboratory examination.

Disclaimer: This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. American Legal Publishing provides these documents for informational purposes only. These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. Additionally, the formatting and pagination of the posted documents varies from the formatting and pagination of the official copy. The official printed copy of a Code of Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken. For further information regarding the official version of any of this Code of Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing toll-free at 800-445-5588.

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