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Contact dispatch at 559-846-8800 right away. A report must be taken and the bite incident documented. It's important to make sure your animal is confined and you have your most recent rabies vaccination certificate available. The investigating officer will request any additional information needed.
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Dog licensing and rabies vaccinations are required by the California Health and Safety Code as well as City Ordinance.
Each household may only have three dogs or cats over the age of four months unless the your household has a current home occupation permit, zoning permit or conditional use permit to operate a kennel or cattery.
State law requires that we hold animals at least three (3) days to afford it a chance for the owner to reclaim or have it adopted. There is a fee to the owner when an animal is reclaimed; this fee covers the City’s cost for caring for the animal.
Contact our office via the dispatch line 559-846-8800 and schedule an appointment with an Animal Control Officer. They will explain the complaint process and discuss options with you. Sometimes the problem can be resolved with a visit from us.
We would much rather keep your information confidential and resolve the problem. However, if the complaint results in a criminal complaint being filed you may be called to testify.
Reminders are sent out to dog owners as a courtesy. The owner is responsible for making sure all vaccinations and the license are kept current.
Under normal circumstances the first rabies vaccination your pet is given remains current for one year. This is regardless of the animal's age. The second vaccination will remain current for three years. If you have questions concerning your pet's rabies vaccination status please consult with your veterinarian.
Possibly - each State establishes their own rabies control programs, which include vaccination interval and specific vaccine use. Your veterinarian can determine if the vaccine your pet was given was approved for California. An approved vaccine list is available from the California Department of Food and Agriculture Animal Health Division’s website.
Although the animal control staff is very knowledgeable on animal health issues and vaccination protocols, we are not licensed veterinarians. The health of your pet is important; treatment based on a conversation without proper medical diagnosis can be dangerous. Only a licensed veterinarian working cooperatively with the owner can determine what is best for a pet.
When an animal is impounded, it is done so for the animal’s protection and public safety. With very few exceptions, the reason for the animal being in the Animal Control Facility is owner related. The owner bears a portion of the cost for the impounding, housing and medical treatment of their animal.
Current state law allows a dog owner to tie their dog to a fixed object for up to 3 hours. The law also specifies that if a dog is tied for more than 3 hours, it must be on a cable runner to allow the animal free movement. There can be severe consequences and fine for not following the “Tethering Law.”