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Dog Bite Resource Center

San Luis Obispo County Dog Bite Laws

9.08.125 Reporting of bites.

All persons bitten and the parent or guardians of minor children bitten by a dog, cat, skunk, fox, bat, coyote, bobcat or other animal of a species subject to rabies should notify the division within twenty-four hours of the next division business day. Physicians treating such bites and other persons having knowledge of such bites shall also be required to make such notification. (Ord. 2764 § 1 (part), 1996: Ord. 2474 § 1 (part), 1990)

9.08.130 Biting dogs.

It is a misdemeanor for any person to suffer, or permit any dog or other animal owned, harbored or controlled by him, to inflict upon any human being a bite that penetrates the skin while the person bitten is on any public place, or legally upon any private property. The person bitten may request the animal control officer to initiate criminal proceedings against such other person by submitting a signed, written complaint. (Ord. 2474 § 1 (part), 1990)

9.08.140 Impounding of biting dogs.

(a) Upon written notice by the division, the owner or person having the control of any dog which has, within the preceding ten days, bitten any person or animal shall, upon demand, and in the discretion of the division, do one of the following:

(1) Confine the dog to his own premises; or
(2) Surrender the dog to the division which shall impound and keep the dog at the public pound in a separate enclosure for a period of not less than ten days; or
(3) Surrender the dog to a licensed veterinarian as designated by the division; or
(4) Surrender the dog to the division for quarantine at any other location or facility designated and approved by the division.

(b) If the dog is quarantined on the premises of the owner, the division may post a quarantine sign on such premises, and it is unlawful for any person to remove the sign during the term of such quarantine without the consent of the division. Any quarantine provided in this section shall be for a term of not less than ten days unless otherwise specified by the division.

(c) During the period, it shall be the duty of the division to determine whether or not such animal is suffering from any disease. If a duly licensed veterinarian designated by the division shall determine that the animal is diseased and, by reason of such disease, is dangerous to persons or to other animals, he shall so notify the division in writing to destroy the animal. A copy of the notice may also be served upon the owner or person having control of the animal.

(d) If the veterinarian shall determine that the dog is not so diseased, the division shall notify the person owning or having control of the animal at the address from which the animal was surrendered to the division and shall, upon demand, release the animal to the owner or person lawfully entitled thereto, upon payment of any charges provided therefor, including expenses of quarantine and veterinary care; provided, however, that if no person lawfully entitled to such animal shall within three days after the date of giving the last mentioned notice, appear at the public pound and request the release of the dog, and pay the charges, the animal may be sold or destroyed by the division in the same manner hereinbefore provided.

(e) Whenever a dog is ordered to be quarantined on the premises of the owner, an administrative fee to cover the expense of monitoring the quarantine will be charged. (Ord. 2764 § 1 (part), 1996: Ord. 2474 § 1 (part), 1990)

HOLDING WRONGDOERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DAMAGES THEY CAUSE SINCE 1978

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