It shall be the duty of every owner of a dog or cat harbored
in the Village to have such dog or cat inoculated against rabies.
The owner or harborer of such dog or cat shall at all times keep in
his or her possession evidence of rabies inoculation consisting of
a certificate signed by the licensed veterinarian administering the
vaccine.
All warm-blooded animals, domestic and wild, are susceptible
to rabies. Once affected by rabies, the disease is fatal to uninoculated
animals and untreated humans. The inoculation of dogs and cats as
required by this chapter is recommended for all other domestic animals.
All cases of rabies occurring within the Village shall be reported
by the Chief of Police to the Vermilion County Department of Animal
Control. If, in the opinion of the Village President, danger of a
rabies epidemic exists, legal notice shall be used to inform all owners
and harborers of animals to confine or securely muzzle their animals
for such period of time as shall be designated in the published notice.
It shall be unlawful for the owner or harborer of any animal
to refuse or fail to promptly surrender any animal suspected of being
affected by rabies. Any animal suspected of being affected by rabies
shall be seized by the Chief of Police and impounded with a licensed
veterinarian for observation, examination and testing as necessary
for positive diagnosis. Upon declaration by a licensed veterinarian
that an animal is affected by rabies, the Chief of Police shall cause
immediate destruction of the affected animal. Disposition of the animal's
body shall be controlled by the Chief of Police.
