(A) Vaccination required. All dogs over four months of age must be vaccinated against rabies. Young dogs shall be vaccinated within 30 days after they have reached four months of age. Unvaccinated dogs acquired or moved into the village must be vaccinated within 30 days after arrival or purchase, unless under four months of age as specified in this section. Each dog shall be re-vaccinated following a period of not more than 36 months since its last vaccination for rabies. Rabies vaccines used must meet the requirements of the current compendium of animal rabies vaccines and Neb. RS 71-4402. The cost of rabies vaccination shall be borne by the owner of the dog.
(B) Issuance of certificate of vaccination and tag.
(1) It shall be the duty of each veterinarian, at the time of vaccinating any dog, to complete a certificate of rabies vaccination, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
(a) The owner’s name and address;
(b) A description of the dog, including the breed, sex markings, age and name;
(c) The date of vaccination;
(d) The rabies vaccination tag number;
(e) The type of rabies vaccine administered; and
(f) The manufacturer’s serial number of the vaccine.
(2) The veterinarian shall issue a tag with the certificate of vaccination.
(C) Exceptions. The provisions of division (A) above with respect to vaccination shall not apply to any nonresident owner or keeper of a dog while such nonresident is passing through the village; provided, that such dog shall remain on a leash or otherwise be physically restrained as provided for elsewhere in this chapter. Dogs of nonresidents need not be licensed during dog shows or exhibitions; however, proof of rabies vaccination shall be presented by the owners or keepers upon demand, and failure to do so shall constitute a violation of this section.
(D) Display of tags. The owner or keeper of a dog shall keep in his or her possession the certificate of rabies vaccination as proof of the vaccination. Further, the tag of rabies vaccination shall be attached to the harness or collar of the dog at all times. No person shall remove or cause to be removed the collar, harness or rabies tag from any dog or cat without the consent of the owner or keeper.
(E) Impoundment. Any dog found outside the owner’s or keeper’s premises whose owner does not possess a valid certificate of rabies vaccination and a valid rabies vaccination tag for such dog shall be impounded. Each impounded dog, except as provided for in § 92.13, shall be kept at a designated animal shelter for a period of not less than three days unless reclaimed earlier by the owner. Notice of impoundment of all animals, including any significant marks of identification shall be posted at the shelter as public notification of impoundment. Any unvaccinated dog may be reclaimed by its owner during the period of impoundment by payment of the prescribed impoundment fees and by complying with rabies vaccination requirements within 72 hours of release. Any vaccinated dog impounded because its owner has not presented a valid certificate of rabies vaccination, and a valid rabies vaccination tag for such dog may be reclaimed by its owner by furnishing proof of rabies vaccination and payment of all impoundment fees prior to release.
(F) Violations. It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to have his or her dog vaccinated for rabies as required by this section, to fail to affix or attach the valid rabies vaccination tag to the animal’s collar or harness, to fail to possess and present proof of valid and current rabies vaccination or to violate any of the provisions or requirements of this section. Failure of the owner of a dog to present to an animal control officer, upon demand, the valid rabies vaccination certificate and valid rabies vaccination tag shall constitute prima facie evidence that the dog is not properly vaccinated and that the requirements and provisions of this section have been violated.
(Ord. 657, passed 6-22-2022) Penalty, see § 92.99