(a) Vaccine required.
(1) A person commits an offense if the person owns, keeps, harbors or has custody of a dog or cat over four months of age that has not been immunized against rabies as required by Tex. Health & Safety Code § 826.021.
(2) The same animal must receive a booster within the 12-month interval following the animal's initial vaccination.
(3) The same animal must be revaccinated against rabies according to the maximum labeled duration of immunity for the most recently administered vaccine or at a minimum of at least once every three years.
(4) In the prosecution of this subsection (a), it is an exception that the dog or cat was kept, harbored or in the custody of an animal shelter.
(b) Every owner of a dog or cat immunized against rabies shall procure a rabies vaccination certificate from the veterinarian administering the vaccine.
(c) The provisions restricting the use and sale of rabies vaccine for animals as set forth in the state statute enacting the "Rabies Control Act of 1981" are hereby adopted by reference, as contained in Tex. Health & Safety Code Ch. 826, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city secretary, and as amended from time to time.
(d) It shall be unlawful for a person to administer, sell or distribute rabies vaccine for animals in a manner not authorized by subsection (c) above.
(e) Every veterinarian whose office or place of business is located within the city and every designated veterinarian, whose office or place of business is located within or outside the city, shall keep detailed records of animal rabies vaccinations and, upon request of the director, shall provide rabies vaccination information to the animal care and control section.
(Ord. 23295-06-2018, § 1, passed 6-26-2018, eff. 7-6-2018)