The purpose of this article is to prevent rabies.
As used in such article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
A dog or other mammal susceptible to rabies.
To keep, harbor or have control, charge or custody of an
animal.
Any person who has the right of property in an animal, keeps
or harbors an animal, has it in his or her care or allows it to remain
on or about any premises occupied by him or her.
Inoculation with a rabies vaccine licensed by the United
States Department of Agriculture.
A graduate of an accredited school of veterinary medicine
who is licensed to practice in the state.
Any person having knowledge that an animal has
bitten or injured any person in the Borough shall immediately report
the facts, including the whereabouts of such animal (if known) to
the Board of Health. The owner of such animal shall confine it immediately
for 10 days as directed by the Board. The animal shall be examined
within 48 hours by a veterinarian and a written report of such examination,
on forms supplied by the Board, shall be submitted by the owner to
the Board. If at any time during this ten-day confinement the animal
becomes ill, escapes or dies, such fact shall be communicated immediately
by the owner or veterinarian to the Board. The animal shall be moved
immediately to a veterinary hospital or other approved location, as
directed by the Board. At the end of the ten-day confinement, the
animal shall be reexamined by a veterinarian and a written report
of findings shall be submitted by the owner to the Board within 48
hours. If the reexamination reveals no symptoms of rabies, the animal
may then be released from confinement.
A.
Any person who has knowledge that an animal in the
Borough has been bitten by, or otherwise exposed to, another animal
infected, or suspected of being infected, with rabies, shall report
the facts immediately, including the whereabouts of such animal (if
known) to the Board of Health.
B.
If the animal which was bitten, or otherwise exposed
to rabies, has not been vaccinated in accordance with prescribed requirements,
such animal shall be confined immediately and placed in a veterinary
hospital or other approved location, under the supervision of a veterinarian,
for a minimum of six months, or shall be immediately disposed of,
as directed by the Board.
C.
If the animal which was bitten, or otherwise exposed
to rabies, has been vaccinated in accordance with prescribed requirements,
the following actions may be taken:
Any person who has knowledge that an animal
in the Borough is infected with, or suspected of being infected with,
rabies, shall report the facts immediately, including the whereabouts
of such animal (if known) to the Board of Health. Any animal suspected
of being infected with rabies shall be removed by the owner and confined
immediately in a veterinary hospital or other approved location and
such animal shall not be released therefrom without permission of
the Board. An animal infected with rabies shall be disposed of as
directed by the Board.
A.
Each owner of an animal in the Borough shall arrange
for a vaccination of such animal by a veterinarian. Young animals
shall be vaccinated within 30 days after reaching the age of five
months. Every animal shall be vaccinated following enactment of this
article[1] as promptly as possible and shall be revaccinated at the
interval of time and with the specific vaccine for a particular type
of animal, using the specific vaccine licensed by the United States
Department of Agriculture. Unvaccinated animals acquired or moved
into the Borough shall be vaccinated within 30 days after purchase
or arrival or, if under five months of age, shall be vaccinated within
30 days after reaching five months of age.
[1]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 584 was adopted December 21, 1972.
B.
The owner of each unvaccinated animal temporarily
brought into the Borough for any purpose shall arrange for a vaccination
against rabies within 30 days of first entry at any point in the county.
C.
Each veterinarian, at the time of vaccinating any
animal, shall complete a certificate of rabies vaccination, in triplicate
(supplied by the Board of Health), which shall include the following:
(1)
The owner's name and address;
(2)
The description of the animal (breed, sex, markings,
age, name);
(3)
The date of vaccination;
(4)
The rabies vaccination tag number;
(5)
The type of vaccine administered;
(6)
The manufacturer's serial number of the vaccine; and
(7)
The due date for revaccination.
D.
The original certificate of rabies vaccination shall
be delivered to the Board, the first copy shall be delivered to the
owner and the second copy shall be retained by the issuing veterinarian.
The veterinarian shall furnish to the owner, together with a copy
of the certificate, a metal or durable plastic tag stating the date
of vaccination, the tag number and the veterinarian's name. A vaccination
tag shall be affixed to the collar or harness and be worn by the animal.
For the purpose of control, in case an animal
is suspected of being infected with rabies, or if one dies for any
reason during quarantine and requires laboratory analysis, the owner
or person designated to act for the owner shall engage a veterinarian
to prepare the suspected animal for shipment to an approved laboratory
for the purpose of determining rabies infection.
The cost of examination, vaccination, impounding
and preparation of an animal for laboratory analysis shall be borne
by the owner of such animal.
