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 authorize the State Public Health Officer to 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. The bill would authorize the 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, 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.