(a) Any person who keeps or harbors a dog or cat within the City limits shall keep such dog or eat immunized or reimmunized against rabies, by a method listed in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare Center for Disease Control Animal Rabies Compendium, or any other method approved by the Department of Health, so that the dog or cat is continually protected against contracting rabies. Provided, however, dogs and cats need not be immunized before reaching the age of three months.
(b) All dogs or cats entering the City temporarily for dog or cat shows, exhibitions and/or breeding purposes shall not be allowed out of the owner's, keeper's or handler's control, and all dogs or cats entering this jurisdiction for field trials or hunting purposes, or any other purpose shall be properly immunized. All such immunized dogs and cats shall be accompanied by an immunization certificate supplied by the veterinarian who immunized the dog or cat.
(c) All veterinarians immunizing or reimmunizing dogs or cats against rabies shall keep a record of such immunization or reimmunization and shall, at the time of such immunizing or reimmunizing give the owner or keeper of the animal a certificate of immunization which shall include a number identifying the individual record, a complete description of the animal, place where the animal is kept or harbored, name and address of the owner, keeper or harborer of the animal, date and type of immunization or reimmunization and such other pertinent information as needed, along with the signature and typed name and address of the veterinarian.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to mean that dogs or cats immunized or reimmunized shall be allowed to run at large in violation of any rabies quarantine, law, ordinance or regulation.
(e) All veterinarians who immunize or reimmunize a dog or cat against rabies shall provide a tag approved by the Health Commissioner, which shall have thereon permanently affixed the year of immunization or reimmunization and the number indicating the record prescribed in subsection (c) hereof. Such tag shall be securely fastened to the collar and/or harness worn by the dog or cat.
(f) No veterinarian or person who keeps or harbors a dog or cat shall be required to provide or obtain a certificate for a rabies immunization or reimmunization administered before the date this section takes effect. However, the provisions of this section must he complied with at the time of reimmunization thereafter or the time the current immunization or reimmunization loses its effectiveness, whichever is earlier.
(g) Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Each day's violation shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. 11-92. Passed 3-17-92.)