AB 1780: Importation of diseased dogs and cats.

Existing law requires a person seeking to import a dog into this state for the purpose of resale or a change of ownership to obtain a health certificate for the dog that has been completed by a licensed veterinarian and is dated within 10 days prior to the date on which the dog is brought into the state. Existing law prohibits a breeder from knowingly selling a diseased dog.

This bill would require authorize the State Public Health Officer to investigate certain reports of outbreaks of communicable diseases monitor any report issued by a reliable and verifiable public source of an outbreak of a communicable disease occurring in another state caused by, or purported to be caused by, contact with a dog or cat to determine, among other things, the probable impacts of the communicable disease on the state. cat. The bill would authorize the officer, upon investigation and specific findings, officer to issue an order to prohibit the importation of dogs or cats that could pose a risk of an outbreak of any communicable disease that is dangerous to individuals. individuals, if he or she makes a determination, as specified. The bill would impose a civil penalty for a violation of an order issued pursuant to these provisions.