(A) It shall be unlawful to keep a canine or feline over the age of three months unless such feline or canine is immunized against rabies by a vaccination performed by a veterinarian and the period of immunization specified by the veterinarian performing the vaccination has not expired. Each owner of a canine or feline older than three months of age must procure a rabies vaccination for the animal. The rabies vaccination must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. The rabies vaccination must be obtained annually unless three year vaccination is administered. The animal must wear the rabies vaccination tag at all times. Any person who is found to have violated this section shall pay a fine of not less than $35 for the first offense, $75 for the second offense and $125 for the third offense.
(B) (1) However, if the unvaccinated animal causes bodily injury to another person or animal the fine will be not less than $125 and the Court shall conduct an aggressive (vicious) canine hearing relating to the animal.
(2) A person who knowingly or intentionally harbors a dog that is over the age of three months and not immunized against rabies commits harboring a non-immunized dog, a Class C infraction. However, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor if the dog causes bodily injury by biting a person.
(C) Whenever Marion Animal Care and Control has reasonable cause to suspect that an animal has been exposed to rabies, or bitten or exposed through non-bite exposure a person to rabies, such animal shall be surrendered by its owner for quarantine and observation, at the owner's expense, promptly upon demand by Marion Animal Care and Control. Such quarantine and observation shall be at the animal owner's expense. (See I.C. 35-46-3-1 Sec. 1.)
(Ord. 7-2014, passed 4-1-2014)