55.13 DUTY TO REPORT ANIMAL ATTACKS OR SUSPECTED RABIES.

   It is the duty of any person who has knowledge of an animal that has bitten or attacked a person, or is suspected of having rabies, to promptly report the information to a peace officer with the Nevada Public Safety Department.  It is the duty of physicians and veterinarians to report to the local board of health the existence of any animals known or suspected to be suffering from rabies.

55.14 DUTY UPON STRIKING AN ANIMAL.

   Any person who, as the operator of a motor vehicle, strikes, injures or kills any domestic animal shall report the incident as soon as possible following the incident to the Nevada Public Safety Department.

55.15 RABIES VACCINATION.

   Every owner of a dog, cat or ferret shall obtain a rabies vaccination for each animal by the time it reaches the age of four months and such animals shall be re-vaccinated at intervals thereafter as stipulated by the manufacturer of the rabies vaccine used.  Only a licensed and approved rabies vaccine can be used and must be administered by a licensed veterinarian.  At the request of an animal control officer, the owner shall provide a copy of the current rabies vaccination.  This section applies to all dogs, cats and ferrets kept within the City limits, brought into the City for shows, exhibitions or performances, or in transit.

55.16 RABIES TAGS.

   It is the duty of the owner to ensure that all dogs, cats and ferrets over the age of four months wear a collar or harness to which a valid rabies tag is attached while any such animal is outside and accessible to the public.

55.17 RABIES DETERMINATION.

   1.   When an animal control officer receives information that an animal has bitten any person, or that an animal is suspected of having rabies, the officer shall investigate the report and may require that the animal be confined for an observation period of ten (10) consecutive days.

   2.   Observation and confinement of the animal shall be at an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or by the owner, provided that the following criteria are met:

      A.   Upon initial examination by a licensed veterinarian the animal is determined to be free of clinical signs of rabies.

      B.   There is a current certificate of vaccination for rabies readily available.

      C.   The owner is able to demonstrate a history of responsibility in confining the animal.

      D.   The location for confinement is a facility sufficiently secure to ensure that the animal will not be lost or taken or escape from confinement for the entire observation period.

      E.   The owner must allow the animal control officer to assess the animal at all times during the observation period.

      F.   Exposure is limited to persons in the owner’s immediate family.

      G.   Any other conditions as imposed by the animal control officer.

   3.   Immediately following the quarantine period the animal must be re-examined by a licensed veterinarian to ensure the animal is free from clinical signs of rabies.

   4.   Animals that have bitten a person, or are suspected of having rabies, may be humanely euthanized or destroyed and examined for rabies by an authorized diagnostic laboratory for the following reasons:

      A.   Upon the owner’s request.

      B.   When it is determined appropriate by a licensed veterinarian.

      C.   When there has been an attack on the face or neck of the person or persons bitten.

   5.   This section does not apply if a police service dog or horse used by a law enforcement agency, and acting in the performance of its duties, has bitten a person, provided the animal is current on its rabies vaccination.

   6.   The owner shall be responsible for paying the entire costs for impoundment, clinical assessments performed by a licensed veterinarian and other associated expenses.

55.18 TRAPPING PROHIBITED.

   1.   It is unlawful for any person to set and maintain animal or bird traps upon public or private property at any time, except as follows:

      A.   Humane live box traps on private property by permission of the property owner;

      B.   Humane live box traps on public property with the written permission of the animal control officer; and

      C.   Humane live box traps maintained by an animal control officer.

   2.   The use of Connibear traps, snare traps, steel jaw traps, leghold traps, spring traps, or any similar device designed to catch and hold the animals by the head, or neck or leg, or other part of the body, or which is likely for any reason to cause injury, pain and suffering before death, is prohibited, except as follows:

      A.   A spring mole trap may be used to trap moles in a lawn provided the trap is set close to the ground so as to prevent the capture of other animals above ground.

      B.   An animal control officer may use any trap listed in this subsection if an animal is determined to be a serious threat to persons or property.

55.19 PET AWARDS PROHIBITED.

(Code of Iowa, Ch. 717.E)

   1.   Prohibition.  It is unlawful for any person to award a pet or advertise that a pet may be awarded as any of the following:

      A.   A prize for participating in a game.

      B.   A prize for participating in a fair.

      C.   An inducement or condition for visiting a place of business or attending an event sponsored by a business.

      D.   An inducement or condition for executing a contract which includes provisions unrelated to the ownership, care or disposition of the pet.

   2.   Exceptions.  This section does not apply to any of the following:

      A.   A pet shop licensed pursuant to Section 162.5 of the Code of Iowa if the award of a pet is provided in connection with the sale of a pet on the premises of the pet shop.

      B.   Youth programs associated with 4-H Clubs; Future Farmers of America; the Izaak Walton League of America; or organizations associated with outdoor recreation, hunting or fishing, including but not limited to the Iowa Sportsmen’s Federation.