(A) When it becomes necessary to safeguard the public from the dangers of hydrophobia, the County Health Officer or the Mayor, if he or she deems it necessary, shall issue a proclamation ordering every person owning or keeping a dog or cat to confine it securely on his or her premises. These proclamations shall remain effective until revoked by the County Health Officer or Mayor.
(B) If a dog or cat is believed to have rabies, or has been bitten by the dog or cat suspected of having rabies, the dog or cat shall be confined under observation of a veterinarian at the expense of the owner for a period of ten days, and if necessary may be thereafter destroyed.
(1) The owner shall notify the Animal Control Officer of the fact that his or her dog or cat has been exposed to rabies, and at its discretion the Animal Control Officer is empowered to have the dog or cat removed from the owner’s premises to a veterinary hospital and there placed under observation for a period often days at the expense of the owner.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person knowing or suspecting a dog or cat of having rabies to allow the dog or cat to be removed from the town, without the written permission of the Animal Control Officer.
(3) Every owner or other person, upon ascertaining a dog or cat is rabid, shall immediately notify Animal Control Officer or a police officer.
(C) All dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies by the age of six months. The rabies vaccination of a dog or cat shall be maintained by ongoing revaccination of the animal as follows:
(1) Dogs and cats that are vaccinated with a rabies vaccine whose label recommends annual boosters shall be revaccinated within 12 months of the prior vaccination.
(2) Dogs and cats that are vaccinated with a rabies vaccine whose label recommends a booster one year later and triennially thereafter shall be revaccinated within 12 months of the first vaccination and shall be revaccinated within 36 months of each vaccination thereafter.
(3) Dogs and cats that are vaccinated with a rabies vaccine whose label recommends a booster triennially shall be revaccinated within 36 months of the prior vaccination.
(D) The owner of the animal is responsible for procuring the vaccinations required by this section.
(Ord. 12-24, passed 11-15-12) Penalty, see § 91.99