(A) Any person who keeps or harbors a dog or cat within the city shall keep such dog or cat immunized or re- immunized against rabies, by a method listed in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare Center for Disease Control Animal Rabies Compendium, or any other method approved by the Department of Health, so that the dog or cat is continually protected against contracting rabies. Provided, however, dogs and cats need not be immunized before reaching the age of three months.
(B) Dogs and cats entering the city temporarily for dog or cat shows, exhibitions, field trials and/or breeding purposes or any other purpose, shall be properly immunized. All such dogs and cats shall be accompanied by an immunization certificate supplied by the veterinarian who immunized the dog or cat.
(C) All veterinarians immunizing or re-immunizing dogs or cats against rabies shall keep a record of such immunization or re-immunization and shall, at the time of such immunizing or re-immunizing give the owner or keeper of the animal a certificate of immunization which shall include a number identifying the individual record, a complete description of the animal, place where the animal is kept or harbored, name, address, phone number of the owner, keeper or harborer of the animal, date and type of immunization or re-immunization and such other pertinent information as needed, along with the signature and typed name and address of the veterinarian. The veterinarian shall forward a copy to the Police Division-Animal Control Section.
(D) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to mean that dogs or cats immunized or re-immunized shall be allowed to run at large in violation of any rabies quarantine, law, ordinance or regulation.
(E) All veterinarians who immunize or re-immunize a dog or cat against rabies shall provide a tag approved by the health commissioner, which shall have thereon permanently affixed the year of immunization or re- immunization and the number indicating the record prescribed in division (C) hereof. No person who owns, keeps or harbors a dog or cat within the city shall fail to require the dog or cat, at all times, to wear such tag.
(F) Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Each day’s violation shall constitute a separate offense.
(1980 Code, § 90.18) (Ord. 5649, passed 12-6-1993; Am. Ord. 5728, passed 7-5-1994)