A. Vaccination Required: Rabies vaccinations shall be required for dogs and cats. The owner or person having the charge, care, custody and control of a dog or cat four (4) months old or older shall have the animal vaccinated within thirty (30) days after it reaches that age. Any person permitting any such animal to habitually be on or remain, or be lodged or fed within such person's house, yard or premises shall be responsible for the vaccination. Unvaccinated dogs or cats over four (4) months of age acquired by the owner or moved into the jurisdiction must be vaccinated within thirty (30) days of purchase or arrival. Every dog shall be revaccinated thereafter every twenty four (24) months, and every cat shall be revaccinated thereafter every twelve (12) months, with a modified virus rabies vaccine approved by the Salt Lake Valley health department.
B. Impoundment Of Animal Without Valid Rabies Vaccination Tag:
1. Any vaccinated animal impounded because of a lack of a rabies vaccination tag may be reclaimed by its owner by furnishing proof of rabies vaccination and payment of all impoundment fees prior to release.
2. Any unvaccinated animal may be reclaimed prior to disposal by payment of impound fees and by obtaining a rabies vaccination within seventy two (72) hours of release. (Ord. 1994-O-3, 2-10-1994)
3. Any dog not reclaimed prior to the period shall be disposed of. (Ord. 1994-O-3, 2-10-1994; amd. 2010 Code)
C. Reporting Of Rabid Animals: Any person having knowledge of the whereabouts of an animal known to have been exposed to, or suspected of having, rabies; or of an animal or person bitten by such a suspect animal, shall notify the town marshal department or the Salt Lake Valley health department.
D. Quarantine And Disposition Of Biting Or Rabid Animals:
1. Reporting Required: An animal that has rabies or shows signs of having rabies, and every animal bitten by another animal affected with rabies or that has been exposed to rabies, shall be reported by the owner as set forth above and shall immediately be confined to a secure place by the owner. The owner shall turn over the animal to the town marshal department or a person designated by the town marshal department.
2. Surrender Of Animal: The owner of any animal of a species subject to rabies which has bitten shall surrender the animal to an authorized official upon demand. Any person authorized to enforce this chapter may enter upon private property to seize the animal; if the owner refuses to surrender the animal, the officer shall immediately obtain a search warrant authorizing seizure and impoundment of the animal. (Ord. 1994-O-3, 2-10-1994)
3. Seizure And Quarantine: Any animal of a species subject to rabies that bites a person or animal or is suspected of having rabies may be seized and quarantined for observation for a period of not less than ten (10) days by the town marshal department or an authority authorized by the town marshal department, if the animal had a current rabies vaccination at the time the bite was inflicted or if there are other special circumstances justifying any person who has custody of an animal under quarantine, shall immediately notify the town marshal department if the animal shows any signs of sickness or abnormal behavior, or if the animal escapes confinement. It shall be unlawful for any person who has custody of a quarantined animal to fail or refuse to allow a health department or town marshal department representative to make an inspection or examination during the period of quarantine. If the animal dies within ten (10) days from the date of bite, the person having custody shall immediately notify the town marshal department or immediately remove and deliver the head to the state health laboratory to be examined for rabies. If, at the end of the ten (10) day period, the town marshal department or a designated animal control agency examines the animal and finds no sign of rabies, the animal may be released to the owner or in the case of a stray, it shall be disposed of. (Ord. 1994-O-3, 2-10-1994; amd. 2010 Code)
4. Unvaccinated Bitten Animals:
a. In case of an unvaccinated animal species subject to rabies which is known to have been bitten by a known rabid animal, the bitten or exposed animal should be immediately destroyed.
b. If the owner is unwilling to destroy the bitten or exposed animal, the animal shall be immediately isolated and quarantined for six (6) months under veterinary supervision, the cost of such confinement to be paid in advance by the owner. The animal shall be destroyed if the owner does not comply herewith.
5. Vaccinated Bitten Animals:
a. If the bitten or exposed animal has been vaccinated, the animal shall be revaccinated within twenty four (24) hours and quarantined for a period of thirty (30) days following revaccination; or
b. If the animal is not revaccinated within twenty four (24) hours, the animal shall be isolated and quarantined under veterinary supervision for six (6) months.
c. The animal shall be destroyed if the owner does not comply with subsections D5a or D5b of this section.
6. Removal Of Quarantined Animal: It shall be unlawful for any person to remove any such animal from the place of quarantine without written permission of the town marshal department or the written permission of the designated animal control facility.
7. Numerous Bites Or Attacks: If any animal bites or attacks a person or animal two (2) times or more in a twelve (12) month period, such animal may be immediately impounded by the town marshal department without court order and held at owner's expense pending court action. Any such animal shall be deemed a vicious animal, and the town marshal department may seek a court order as provided in section 5-2-13 of this chapter for destruction of the animal. Parties owning such animal shall, if possible, be notified immediately of the animal's location by the town marshal department. (Ord. 1994-O-3, 2-10-1994)