(a) An owner of a dog or cat commits an offense if:
(1) the dog or cat is not currently vaccinated;
(2) the dog or cat is not wearing a collar or harness with a current rabies tag securely attached to it; or
(3) the owner fails to show a current certificate of vaccination and rabies tag for the dog or cat upon request by the director or a peace officer.
(b) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that:
(1) the dog or cat is under four months of age;
(2) the dog or cat is unable to be vaccinated due to health reasons as verified by a licensed veterinarian; or
(3) the person charged produces to the court proof of vaccination from a licensed veterinarian showing the dog or cat was vaccinated at the time the citation was issued or not later than 20 days after the citation was issued.
(c) A licensed veterinarian who vaccinates a dog or cat for rabies shall issue to the owner of the animal a current rabies tag and a certificate of vaccination and send a copy of the certificate of vaccination to the director by the 10th day of the month following the month in which the dog or cat was vaccinated. The certificate of vaccination must contain the following information:
(1) name, address, and telephone number of the owner;
(2) animal identification, including species, sex, age, size (pounds), predominant breed, and color;
(3) vaccine used (including whether it is a one-year or three-year rabies vaccine), producer, expiration date, and serial number;
(4) date vaccinated and expiration date of the certificate of vaccination;
(5) rabies tag number; and
(6) veterinarian’s signature and license number. (Ord. Nos. 26024; 30483)