(A) Upon complying with the provisions of § 90.101, a rabies tag shall be issued to the owner or keeper of the dog or cat vaccinated pursuant to G.S. § 130A-190. An owner or keeper of equine shall be issued a rabies vaccination certificate.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any dog or cat owner or keeper to fail to provide the animal with a collar or harness to which are securely attached a current rabies tag as issued under this section and identification tag bearing owner’s name and/or telephone number. The collar or harness, with attached tag, must be worn at all times. Cats and equine shall not be required to wear the metallic tag, but the owner of the cat or equine shall maintain the rabies vaccination certificate, with a physical description of the animal, as written evidence to prove that the animal has a current rabies vaccination.
(C) Any equine residing in or entering the county shall be required to show proof of current rabies vaccination.
(D) In addition to all other penalties for violations as prescribed by law, the animal is subject to impoundment in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. If an animal control officer can identify the owner of an animal not wearing a rabies tag, he or she may provide the owner with a written notification of the violation and the owner shall be given 48 hours from the time of notification to obtain and/or show proof of current vaccination. Failure to show proof of current vaccination may result in fines and penalties and/or the impoundment of the animal.
(E) If an animal enforcement officer can identify the owner of an animal not wearing a rabies tag, he or she may provide the owner with a warning citation to show proof of current vaccination within 48 hours without automatically impounding the animal.
(F) It shall be unlawful for any person to use for any animal a rabies vaccination tag/certificate issued for any other animal.
(Ord. passed 10-6-2008) Penalty, see § 90.999