(a) “Vaccination Against Rabies” Defined. For the purpose of this section, “vaccination against rabies” means the inoculation of an animal with a rabies vaccine licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Such vaccination must be performed by a veterinarian duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine.
(b) Certificate of Vaccination. A certificate or other evidence of rabies vaccination shall be obtained as set forth in subsection (d) hereof, and a tag to indicate a rabies vaccination has been given and the date of the vaccination shall be displayed on each animal owned within the corporate limits of the City.
(c) Rabies Vaccination Required. Every animal twelve weeks of age and older shall be vaccinated against rabies. Young animals shall be vaccinated within thirty days after they have reached twelve weeks of age and shall receive a rabies booster vaccine within one year from the date of their initial twelve week vaccination. Unvaccinated animals acquired or moved into the City shall be vaccinated within thirty days after purchase or arrival, unless less than twelve weeks of age as specified above. Every animal shall be re-vaccinated at thirty-six month intervals thereafter.
(d) Duties of Veterinarian. It shall be the duty of each veterinarian, at the time of vaccinating any animal, to complete a certificate of rabies vaccination, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
(1) The owner's name and address;
(2) An adequate description of the animal, including, but not limited to, such items as the animal's breed, sex, age, name and distinctive markings;
(3) The date of the vaccination;
(4) The rabies vaccination tag number;
(5) The type of rabies vaccination administered; and
(6) The manufacturer's serial number of the vaccine used.
The veterinarian shall issue a tag with the certificate of vaccination. Whenever the animal is out of doors, whether on or off the owner's premises, the collar or harness with the vaccination tag must be worn or if the animal is microchipped or tattooed, a copy of the certificate shall be immediately available.
(e) Vaccination Costs. The cost of the rabies vaccination shall be paid by the owner of the animal.
(f) Impoundment of Rabies Suspects.
(1) Any dog, cat or other animal suspected to be afflicted with rabies or any dog or cat not vaccinated as provided herein, which has bitten any person and caused an abrasion of the skin of such person, shall be seized and impounded under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian for a period of not less than ten days, unless a physician requests that such animal be destroyed for a specimen to be examined by a certified laboratory. If, upon examination by a veterinarian, the dog or cat has no signs of rabies at the end of such impoundment, it may be released to the owner or, in the case of a stray, it shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable laws.
(2) Any dog, cat or other animal which has been vaccinated as provided herein, and which has bitten any person, shall be confined by being attached by chain to an anchored object or structure or dog or cat run by the owner or other responsible person as required by the Police Division for a period of at least ten days, at which time the dog or other animal shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian. If no signs of rabies are observed by the veterinarian, the dog or other animal may be released from confinement. Any animal under rabies observation as set out herein, which is not confined or which is found to be running at large, will be seized and impounded under the observation of a licensed veterinarian for the balance of the ten-day observation period.
(g) Handling of Animals Bitten by Rabid Animals. In the case of animals known to have been bitten by a rabid animal, the following shall apply:
(1) In the case of an animal which has not been vaccinated as provided herein, and which has been bitten by a known rabid animal, such bitten or exposed animal shall be immediately destroyed, unless the owner is willing to place such animal in strict isolation in a kennel under veterinary supervision for a period of not less than six months.
(2) If the bitten or exposed animal has been vaccinated as provided herein, such animal shall be subject to the following procedure:
A. Such animal shall be immediately re-vaccinated and confined for a period of not less than thirty days following vaccination.
B. If such animal is not immediately re-vaccinated, such animal shall be confined in strict isolation in a kennel for a period of not less than six months, under the supervision of a veterinarian.
C. Such animal shall be destroyed if the owner does not comply with either paragraph (g)(2)A. or B. hereof.
(h) Impoundment and Redemption Fees. Any impoundment and redemption fees shall be borne by the owner of the animal being impounded or redeemed.
(Ord. 1403. Passed 12-1-98; Ord. 1605. Passed 4-22-08; Ord. 1723. Passed 2-11-14; Ord. 1813. Passed 10-22-19.)