(A) Annual vaccination. It is the duty of every person keeping a dog or cat over the age of 3 months to have the animal vaccinated against rabies. All dogs and cats must be re-vaccinated annually. Every veterinarian who vaccinates a dog or cat hereunder shall issue to the owner or keeper of the animal a numbered vaccination certificate and tag. The certificate shall contain the name and address of the owner or keeper of the animal, a description of the animal vaccinated, the type of vaccine used, the date of vaccination and the expiration date of the period of immunity.
(B) Vaccination certificate. Every person who keeps a vaccinated dog or cat must exhibit his or her copy of the certificate of vaccination upon the demand of any person charged with the enforcement of this section.
(C) Harboring unvaccinated animals. It is unlawful for any person to keep a dog or cat which has not been vaccinated against rabies as provided herein.
(D) Reporting rabies suspects. Every veterinarian who makes a clinical diagnosis of rabies and every person who suspects rabies in a domestic or wild animal shall immediately report the same to the Local District Health Office of the Health Services Division of the Health and Environment Department, stating precisely when and where the animal was seen and if possible where it may be found.
(E) Human exposure to rabies. Any person with knowledge that an animal has bitten a human being shall immediately report the incident to the animal shelter and to the Local District Health Office. Every physician or other health care professional who treats a person for the bite shall report the treatment to the Local District Health Office within 12 hours of the treatment. The treatment must specify the name and precise location of the person bitten.
(F) Quarantine of rabies suspects. Any dog or cat which has bitten a person shall be confined and observed for a period of 10 days from the date of the bite at the animal shelter, a veterinary hospital or an approved kennel; provided, however, that if the animal has a current vaccination for rabies and the area involved is not under quarantine for rabies, the Animal Control Officer may permit quarantine of the animal at the owner’s home. Home confinement shall not be permitted unless the premises have been inspected and approved for the purpose by the Animal Control Officer.
(G) Enforcement of the quarantine. It is unlawful to remove any dog or cat from enforced quarantine during the period of confinement without consent of the responsible Animal Control Officer.
(H) Wild animal bites. Bites inflicted by animals other than dogs and cats must be reported to and discussed with the Local District Health Office for proper disposition.
(Ord. 635, passed 1-13-2004) Penalty, see § 99.99
Cross-reference:
Three-year vaccine, see § 99.03