(A) (1) Vaccination required. Dog owners shall obtain a rabies vaccination for each dog they own, keep, harbor, or have custody of, within one month after it becomes four months of age, or within one month after obtaining any dog over four months of age.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to own, keep, harbor, or possess, or to have in his or her care, charge, or custody, any dog four months of age or over unless such dog has a current and valid rabies vaccination administered by any duly qualified and licensed veterinarian, with a rabies vaccine approved by the State Department of Health for use in dogs.
(b) Such vaccination shall be repeated at intervals specified by the State Department of Health in order to maintain adequate immunity.
(2) Exemption from rabies vaccination during illness.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, a dog need not be vaccinated for rabies during an illness if a licensed veterinarian has examined the dog and certified in writing that such vaccination should be postponed because of a specified illness. Old age, debility, and pregnancy are not considered contraindications to rabies vaccination.
(b) Exemption certificates are subject to approval by the Department and shall be valid only for the duration of the illness. Exemption from vaccination does not exempt a dog from the licensing requirement.
(B) Cat owners shall obtain a rabies vaccination for each cat they own, keep, harbor, or have custody of, within one month after it becomes four months of age, or within one month after obtaining any cat over four months of age. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to own, keep, harbor, or possess or to have in his or her care, charge, or custody, any cat four months of age or over unless such cat has a current and valid rabies vaccination administered by any duly qualified and licensed veterinarian, with a rabies vaccine approved by the State Department of Health for use in cats. Such vaccination shall be repeated at intervals specified by the State Department of Health in order to maintain adequate immunity.
(Ord. D-1-1994, passed - -1994) Penalty, see § 91.999