8.04.240: RABIES CONTROL; VACCINATION FOR DOGS AND CATS:

   A.   The owner or person having the charge, care, custody and control of a four (4) months of age or over cat or dog shall have such animal vaccinated for rabies. Any person permitting any such animal to habitually be on or remain, or be lodged or fed within such person's house, yard or premises shall be responsible for the vaccination. Unvaccinated dogs or cats over four (4) months of age acquired by the owner or moved into the city must be vaccinated within thirty (30) days of purchase or arrival.

   B.   Every dog and cat shall have a current rabies vaccination with a rabies vaccine approved by the current compendium of animal rabies control as amended, published by the National Association Of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc. This provision shall not apply to veterinarians or kennel operators temporarily maintaining on their premises animals owned by others. (Ord. 69-99 § 6, 1999: prior code § 100-1-19(1))

8.04.250: RABIES CONTROL; VETERINARIAN DUTIES; CERTIFICATION AND TAG REQUIREMENTS:

   A.   It shall be the duty of each veterinarian, when vaccinating any animal for rabies, to complete a certificate of rabies vaccination (in duplicate) which includes the following information:

      1.   Owner's name and address;

      2.   Description of animal (breed, sex, markings, age, name);

      3.   Date of vaccination;

      4.   Rabies vaccination tag number;

      5.   Type of rabies vaccine administered;

      6.   Manufacturer's serial number of vaccine.

   B.   A copy of the certificate shall be distributed to the owner and the original retained by the issuing veterinarian. The veterinarian and the owner shall retain their copies of the certificate for the interval between vaccinations specified in section 8.04.240 of this chapter, or its successor. Additionally, a metal or durable plastic rabies vaccination tag, serially numbered, shall be securely attached to the collar or harness of the animal. An animal not wearing such a tag shall be deemed to be unvaccinated, and may be impounded and dealt with pursuant to this title. (Ord. 69-99 § 6, 1999: prior code § 100-1-19(2))

8.04.260: RABIES CONTROL; TRANSIENT ANIMALS:

The provisions of sections 8.04.240 through 8.04.290 of this chapter or their successor sections, with respect to vaccination, shall not apply to any animal owned by a person temporarily remaining within the city for less than thirty (30) days. Such animals shall be kept under strict supervision of the owner. It is unlawful to bring any animal into the city which does not comply with any applicable animal health laws and import regulations. (Ord. 69-99 § 6, 1999: prior code § 100-1-19(3))

8.04.270: RABIES CONTROL; REPORTING OF RABID ANIMALS:

Any person having knowledge of the whereabouts of an animal known to have been exposed to or suspected of having rabies, or of an animal or person bitten by such a suspect animal, shall notify the office of animal services, the Valley health department or the state division of health. (Ord. 1-06 § 30, 2006: Ord. 69-99 § 6, 1999: prior code § 100-1-19(5))

8.04.280: BITING OR POTENTIALLY RABID ANIMALS; QUARANTINE/CONFINEMENT OR OTHER DISPOSITION:

   A.   Report Requirements: An animal that has rabies or is suspected of having rabies, or any animal bitten by another animal infected with rabies or by an animal suspected of having rabies, shall be reported by the owner or person having information as set forth in section 8.04.270 of this chapter, or its successor, and shall immediately be confined in a secure place by the owner. The owner shall turn over the animal to the office of animal services upon demand.

   B.   Surrender Of Animal: The owner of any animal of a species subject to rabies which has bitten shall surrender the animal to any authorized official upon demand. Any person authorized to enforce this title may enter upon private property to seize the animal; if the owner refuses to surrender the animal, the person authorized to enforce this title shall obtain any authorization necessary, if any such authorization is required, prior to proceeding with the seizure and impoundment of the animal.

   C.   Seizure, Confinement Or Quarantine:

      1.   Any animal of a species subject to rabies that bites a person or animal, or is suspected of having rabies, may be seized and quarantined for observation as determined by the animal services director or designee. In consultation with a veterinarian when deemed necessary by the director or designee, the potentially rabid animal shall be quarantined or confined for observation in accordance with the current compendium of animal rabies control, as amended, and with office policy and procedure. The owner of the animal shall bear the cost of confinement. The animal shelter shall be the normal place for quarantine, but other arrangements, including confinement by the owner, may be made by the director of animal services and/or the director of the health department if the animal had a current rabies vaccination at the time the bite was inflicted or if there are other special circumstances justifying an exception.

      2.   A person who has custody of an animal under quarantine shall immediately notify the office of animal services if the animal shows any signs of sickness or abnormal behavior, or if the animal escapes confinement. It is unlawful for any person who has custody of a quarantined animal to fail or refuse to allow a Valley health department or animal services officer to make an inspection or examination during the period of quarantine. If the animal dies within ten (10) days from the date of bite, the person having custody shall immediately notify the office of animal services or immediately remove and deliver the head to the state health laboratory to be examined for rabies. If, at the end of the quarantine period, the director of animal services, or his/her designee, examines the animal and finds no sign of rabies, the animal may be released to the owner or, in the case of a stray, it shall be disposed of as provided in section 8.04.340 of this chapter, or its successor.

   D.   Unvaccinated Bitten Animals:

      1.   In the case of an unvaccinated animal species subject to rabies which is known to have been bitten by, or otherwise exposed to a known rabid animal, such bitten or exposed animal should be immediately euthanized. Animals with expired rabies vaccinations of six (6) months or more shall be considered unvaccinated for the purpose of this section.

      2.   If the owner is unwilling to euthanize the bitten or exposed animal, the animal shall be immediately isolated and quarantined for six (6) months under veterinary supervision, the cost of such confinement to be paid in advance by the owner. The animal shall be vaccinated one month before being released. The animal shall be euthanized if the owner does not comply herewith.

   E.   Vaccinated Bitten Animals:

      1.   If the bitten or exposed animal has been vaccinated, the animal shall be revaccinated within twenty four (24) hours, kept under home confinement, and observed for forty five (45) days; or

      2.   If the animal is not revaccinated within twenty four (24) hours, the animal shall be isolated and monitored according to the current compendium of animal rabies control, as amended.

      3.   The animal shall be euthanized if the owner does not comply with subsections E1 and E2 of this section.

   F.   Bitten Animals With Expired Vaccinations: Animals with expired rabies vaccinations of six (6) months or less shall be evaluated on a case by case basis.

   G.   Removal Of Quarantined Animals: It is unlawful for any person to remove any such animal from the place of quarantine without written permission of the office of animal services. (Ord. 21-14, 2014)

8.04.290: ANIMALS WITHOUT RABIES VACCINATION TAG; IMPOUNDMENT:

   A.   Any vaccinated animal impounded because of the lack of a rabies vaccination tag may be reclaimed by its owner by furnishing proof of rabies vaccination and payment of all impoundment fees prior to release.

   B.   Any unvaccinated animal may be reclaimed prior to disposal by payment of impound fees and by the owner posting a twenty five dollar ($25.00) cash bond (deposit) with the office of animal services, obligation of which is conditioned upon the owner's failure to obtain a rabies vaccination for the animal within seventy two (72) hours of release. Upon proof of the required vaccination, said bond shall be released or returned to the owner.

   C.   Any animal not reclaimed during the period shall be disposed of pursuant to provisions of section 8.04.340 of this chapter, or its successor. (Ord. 69-99 § 6, 1999: prior code § 100-1-19(4))

8.04.300: ANIMAL SHELTER; PREMISES AND ACTIVITIES:

   A.   The governing authority shall provide suitable premises and facilities to be used as an animal shelter where impounded small animals can be adequately kept. They shall purchase and supply food and supply humane care for impounded animals.

   B.   The governing authority shall provide for the painless and humane destruction of dogs and other animals required to be destroyed by this title or by the laws of the state.

   C.   The governing authority may furnish, when necessary, medical treatment for such animals as may be impounded pursuant to this title. (Prior code § 100-1-24)