(a)
Required.
The owner of each dog or cat kept within the
city shall have every such dog or cat vaccinated against rabies by
the time the dog or cat is four (4) months of age and once each year
thereafter. It shall be unlawful for any person to own or keep a dog
or cat within the city limits unless the same has been vaccinated
against rabies.
(b)
Adopted dogs and cats.
(1)
In the event an adopted dog or cat age four (4) months or older is
not vaccinated, a fee in an amount set by resolution of the city council
shall be paid for the issuance of a rabies vaccination certificate,
which the adopting person is to present to any veterinarian within
one (1) week for vaccination against rabies of the adopted dog or
cat. The veterinarian may present the certificate with a statement
verifying the vaccination to the city for receipt of the prepaid fee
or the veterinarian’s fee for administering the vaccination,
whichever is less.
(2)
A person commits an offense if after adopting a dog or cat four (4)
months of age or older he knowingly fails to obtain a rabies vaccination
for such animal within one (1) week of the adoption date.
(3)
It shall be presumed that the person failed to have the animal vaccinated
if within ten (10) days of the adoption date he has not presented
the city with proof of the vaccination. Such proof shall be in the
form of a certificate from the veterinarian administering the vaccination.
(4)
The city shall be authorized to re-impound any dog or cat adopted
under this section if the vaccination is not obtained within the required
time. In such case there shall be no refund of the adoption fee, and
ownership of the animal shall revert to the city.
(Ordinance 2006-06-05-013, sec.
2-9(a), adopted 6/5/06)
Upon vaccinating any dog or cat, the veterinarian performing
such vaccination shall deliver to the animal’s owner a numbered
metal tag and a certificate of vaccination. A record shall be made
by the veterinarian and kept in accordance with state law.
(Ordinance 2006-06-05-013, sec.
2-9(b), adopted 6/5/06)
It shall be unlawful for an owner to allow a dog or cat over
the age of four (4) months to be at large without wearing a current
metal vaccination tag issued by a veterinarian. It shall be prima
facie evidence of vaccination against rabies that a dog or cat is
wearing attached to its collar a current metal vaccination tag.
(Ordinance 2006-06-05-013, sec.
2-9(c), adopted 6/5/06)
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause a dog or cat to
wear attached to its collar, or otherwise, a vaccination tag issued
for any other dog or cat.
(Ordinance 2006-06-05-013, sec.
2-9(d), adopted 6/5/06)
(a)
A
person having knowledge of an animal bite or scratch to an individual
that the person could reasonably foresee as capable of transmitting
rabies, or knowledge of an animal that is reasonably suspected to
be rabid, shall report such knowledge immediately to the city.
(b)
The
owner of an animal that is reported to be rabid or to have exposed
an individual to a risk of contracting rabies shall submit the animal
to the city or a licensed veterinarian to be quarantined until such
time as it can be definitely determined whether such animal is infected
with rabies, but in no case less than ten (10) days.
(c)
It
is an offense under this chapter for a person to refuse to submit
for quarantine any animal reasonably suspected of being rabid. It
is also an offense to knowingly sell, release or otherwise dispose
of an animal before the expiration of the quarantine period if the
animal is reasonably suspected of being rabid.
(d)
An
animal that is lacking proof of current vaccination for rabies at
the time it bites a person is presumed to be under suspicion of rabies.
(Ordinance 2006-06-05-013, sec.
2-9(e), adopted 6/5/06)
(a)
Generally.
Animals suspected of being rabid shall be
quarantined with a licensed veterinarian at the expense of the owner.
If it is determined by a veterinarian that a quarantined animal shows
the clinical signs of the disease of rabies, the veterinarian shall
humanely destroy the animal. If the animal dies or is destroyed while
in quarantine, the veterinarian shall remove the head or brain of
the animal and submit it to the department of state health services
for testing.
(b)
Home quarantine.
(1)
The owner of an animal allowed to home-quarantine an animal shall
comply with written procedures regarding the quarantine as provided
to the owner by the animal control officer.
(2)
Upon the request of the owner of a dog or cat which has bitten or
scratched a human, and at the sole discretion of the city, the city
may permit home quarantine for the animal if the following criteria
can be met:
(A)
The animal was currently vaccinated against rabies at the time of
the bite or scratch;
(B)
The animal was not at large at the time of the bite or scratch;
(C)
The animal’s owner has secured facilities at his home for the
animal which have been approved by the city;
(D)
An animal control officer or a licensed veterinarian must observe
the animal on at least the first and tenth days of the quarantine
period. All quarantined animals shall be separated from all other
animals in such a manner that there is no possibility of physical
contact between animals;
(E)
If the animal becomes ill during the observation period, the person
with possession of the animal must notify the city;
(F)
The owner must sign an agreement to abide by the quarantine rules;
and
(G)
At the end of the quarantine period, the animal shall be observed
by a licensed veterinarian and the veterinarian will generate a letter
authorizing the release of the animal from quarantine.
(3)
The owner of an animal under home quarantine commits an offense if
he fails to comply with any requirement contained in the home quarantine
agreement.
(c)
Release from quarantine; payment of costs.
(1)
If a veterinarian determines that a quarantined animal does not show
the clinical signs of rabies, the animal shall be released to its
owner following the quarantine period if:
(2)
The owner of an animal that is quarantined under suspicion of rabies
shall pay to the city the reasonable costs of the quarantine and disposition
of the animal, or the city may bring suit to collect such costs.
(3)
Animals that are not claimed on or before the third day following
the quarantine period may be released to an animal shelter after vaccination
for rabies, or they may be humanely destroyed.
(Ordinance 2006-06-05-013, sec.
2-9(f)–(h), adopted 6/5/06)
