A. Rabies Vaccination Requirements:
1. Vaccination Required: The owner or custodian of any dog or cat within the County shall vaccinate such animal against rabies within thirty (30) days of:
a. The dog or cat becoming four (4) months of age;
b. Acquiring a dog or cat without documented proof of current rabies vaccination; or
c. Bringing a dog or cat four (4) months of age or older into the County's limits.
2. Revaccination Intervals: The owner or custodian of any dog or cat within the County that has been vaccinated against rabies is required to revaccinate such animal within a period of not more than:
a. Twelve (12) months after the animal's initial vaccination, if the animal was between four (4) months and one (1) year of age at the time of such vaccination; and
b. Thirty-six (36) months after each subsequent vaccination.
3. Rabies Vaccination Waiver: Upon physical examination of a dog or cat, an Idaho licensed veterinarian may provide a written waiver from rabies vaccination based on an illness or infirmity in such animal, or based on a positive rabies antibody btained by laboratory testing. A written waiver must provide an expiration date, not to exceed twelve (12) months. Upon expiration, the animal must be vaccinated, or it must be physically reexamined by an Idaho licensed veterinarian, who may issue a new written waiver from rabies vaccination following the same guidelines set forth herein.
4. Approved Vaccination: Only U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved rabies vaccinations may be administered to dogs and cats within the County.
5. Certificate of Vaccination: An Idaho licensed veterinarian who vaccinates a dog or cat against rabies within the County, must immediately issue a certificate of vaccination signed by the veterinarian to such animal's owner or custodian. The certificate of rabies vaccination shall provide the following information:
a. The date of the vaccination;
b. The name and address of the vaccinated animal's owner or custodian;
c. The type of vaccine used, the vaccine manufacturer's name, and the vaccine's serial or lot number; and
d. The breed, age, color, sex, and name of the vaccinated dog or cat.
6. Maintaining Vaccination Records: The owner or custodian of a dog or cat shall maintain copies of the certificates of rabies vaccinations for the animal and shall produce such records upon request by:
a. An Animal Control Officer;
b. A person who was injured by and potentially exposed to rabies by such animal;
c. A licensed physician who is currently treating a person who was injured by and potentially exposed to rabies by such animal; or
d. A veterinarian who is currently treating an animal that was injured by and potentially exposed to rabies by such animal.
B. Duty to Report and Confine Suspected Rabid Animals: It shall be unlawful for an owner or person having charge, custody or control of any animal, who learns or observes the animal act in a manner that would lead a reasonable person to suspect the animal is infected with rabies:
1. To fail, refuse, or neglect to immediately notify the Animal Control Agency;
2. To fail to securely confine such animal as directed by the Animal Control Agency;
3. To fail, refuse, or neglect to allow a licensed veterinarian to inspect or examine such animal for symptoms of rabies.
C. Quarantine of Biting Animals; Suspected Rabies - Procedures:
1. An owner or custodian of any animal who learns of or observes such animal exhibiting rabies symptoms or observes the animal act in a manner that would lead a reasonable person to suspect the animal is infected with rabies, shall surrender the animal for quarantine to an animal shelter or licensed veterinarian.
2. An owner or custodian of any animal that has bitten a human in which the skin was broken shall surrender such animal for quarantined confinement to an animal shelter or a licensed veterinarian.
3. An owner or custodian of any animal which comes into contact with a known rabid or suspected rabid animal shall be quarantined in a place and manner, and for a period of time, designated by the Director of the Animal Control Agency.
4. Quarantine Period: Any animal quarantined for biting or under suspicion of rabies infection shall be confined and observed by a licensed veterinarian for a period of no less than ten (10) days and not more than fifteen (15) days from the date the bite was inflicted.
5. Alternative Quarantine Procedure: At the discretion of the Director of the Animal Control Agency, the quarantine of an animal may be conducted at a licensed boarding kennel or upon the premises of the owner or custodian of the animal. During the period of quarantine, the animal must be securely confined and isolated from contact with humans and other animals. Within forty-eight (48) hours of the conclusion of the quarantine period, and at the owner's or custodian's expense, the owner or custodian shall have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian, the Animal Control Agency, or an Animal Control Officer to determine whether the animal exhibits any symptoms of rabies or has died. In the case of a veterinary examination, the owner or custodian shall submit a true and accurate copy of the veterinarian's examination record to the Animal Control Agency. If the animal dies while in alternative quarantine, the animal's owner or custodian shall immediately notify the Animal Control Agency and surrender the carcass for testing if requested by the Animal Control Agency.
6. Surrender for Destruction of Rabid Animals: The owner or custodian of an animal that is determined to be rabid shall surrender the infected animal to the Animal Control Agency, if not already in possession of the Animal Control Agency. The animal's diagnosis shall be confirmed. If the animal is found to be rabid then the animal shall be euthanized by the Animal Control Agency after the owner is notified.
7. Impoundment; Fees and Costs; and Disposal of Quarantined Animal: Any animal exhibiting rabies symptoms may be impounded for quarantine, and the animal's owner shall be liable for all related fees and costs as set forth in this Chapter. Impounded animals for quarantine are subject to disposal by the Animal Control Agency as set forth in this Chapter.
D. Contagious Diseased Animals At Large: It shall be unlawful for any person to permit or allow any animal with a contagious or infectious disease to run At Large upon the public streets, or to be within and upon any public transportation facility, or any other public building or place within the County, or to expose such animal in any public building or place, whereby the health, safety and wellbeing of the public, or any member or members thereof, may be affected; nor shall such animal be shipped or removed from the premises of the owner of such animal, except under the supervision of the Animal Control Agency. (Ord. 945, 1-24-2023)