(a) Any person who owns, keeps or harbors a dog or cat within the City limits shall keep such dog or cat 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 Health Commissioner, so that the dog or cat is continually protected against contracting rabies. Provided, however, dogs or cats need not be immunized before reaching the age of three months.
(b) Dogs or cats entering the City temporarily for dog or cat shows, exhibition and/or breeding purposes shall not be allowed out of the owner’s, keeper’s or handler’s control, unless properly immunized, 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, keeper or harborer, of the animal a certificate of immunization which shall include a number identifying the individual record, a complete description of the animal, the place where the animal is kept or harbored, the name and address of the owner, keeper or harborer of the animal, date and type of immunization or of reimmunization and such other pertinent information as needed, along with the signature and typed name and address of the veterinarian. The veterinarian shall forward a copy of the certificate to the Health Commissioner within thirty days of its issuance. The Health Commissioner shall then forward a copy thereof to the Lucas County Dog Warden.
(d) The certificate described in subsection (c) hereof shall be made on multiple-copy forms certified by the Health Commissioner.
(e) 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.
(f) All veterinarians who immunize or reimmunize a dog 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.
(g) No veterinarian or person who owns, 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 shall be complied with at the time of reimmunization thereafter or the time the current immunization or reimmunization loses its effectiveness, whichever is earlier.
(h) Whoever violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. Each day’s violation shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. 65-91. Passed 7-15-91.)