1771.15 RABIES VACCINATION.

      (a)    For the purpose of these regulations, pertaining to the inoculation of dogs and cats with anti-rabic vaccine, the following meanings shall be given to the following terms, words, and/or phrases:

            (1)    "Dog" includes dogs of either sex more than six months of age.

            (2)    "Cat" includes cats of either sex more than six months of age.

            (3)    "Inoculated" means the administration of an anti-rabic vaccine, the material, method, and administration of which has been approved by the City of Hamilton Health Department.

           (4)    "Veterinarian" means any person licensed to practice the profession of veterinary medicine in the State of Ohio.

            (5)    "Harborer" means a person who permits any dog or cat to remain and be lodged and fed within his or her home or enclosure.

   (b)    It shall be the duty of every person who owns or harbors a dog or cat in the City of Hamilton to have such dog or cat inoculated with anti-rabic vaccine by a veterinarian:

      (1)    Before the dog or cat reaches its sixth month of age; or

      (2)    Within one month after acquiring possession of such dog or cat and to maintain the immunity of such dog or cat by having such dog or cat re-inoculated before the validity of such vaccination expires.

   (c)    It shall be the duty of each veterinarian when inoculating a dog or cat with anti-rabic vaccine to insert on a certificate:

      (1)    The name and address of the owner or harborer of the dog or cat;

      (2)    The date of vaccination;

      (3)    The year of expiration of vaccination;

      (4)    The tag number given to the dog or cat after inoculation;

      (5)    The breed, age, color, and sex of dog or cat; and

      (6)    The veterinarian shall immediately present one copy of the certificate to the owner or harborer of the dog or cat and one copy shall be retained by the veterinarian for his file.

   (d)    At the time of the inoculation of any dog or cat the veterinarian shall also deliver to the owner or harborer of the dog or cat a tag that contains:

      (1)    The tag number;

      (2)    The year of expiration of the vaccination; and

      (3)    The identity of the veterinarian as evidence of such inoculation with anti-rabic vaccine.

   (e)    Every owner or harborer of a dog or cat, upon obtaining the tag from a veterinarian, shall immediately attach the tag to the collar or harness of the dog or cat to be worn by the dog or cat at all times.

   (f)    The certificates obtained from the veterinarian shall be retained by the owner or harborer of such dog or cat for inspection by the officials of the Health and Police Departments of the City of Hamilton at all times.

    (g)    The requirement imposed by subsection (b) hereof shall not apply to:

      (1)    Dogs or cats kept by regularly chartered medical colleges or other education or scientific institutions to be used for scientific purposes;

      (2)    To dogs or cats kept in licensed breeding kennels and confined to the premises at all times; or

      (3)    To dogs brought to the City of Hamilton for exhibition purposes at any dog show, provided a permit for the holding of such show is obtained from the Department of Health of the City of Hamilton.

   (h)    Failure to have a valid re-inoculation for the dog or cat shall subject such person to the penalty hereinafter provided.

(Ord. 2022-4-26. Passed 4-13-22.)