§ 5-72. Vaccination of dogs and cats.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for an owner or keeper to fail to provide a current vaccination against rabies (hydrophobia) for any dog or cat four (4) months of age or older. Should it be deemed necessary, by the animal services director or health director, that other domestic animals be vaccinated in order to prevent or control a threatened epizootic or epidemic or to control an existing epizootic, it shall be unlawful for an owner or keeper to fail to provide current vaccination against rabies for any such animal.

(b)

A rabies vaccination shall be deemed current if administered according to the most recent state department of health and human services recommendations, and an approved rabies vaccine must be utilized.

(c)

All rabies vaccines shall be administered by a person authorized to do so in accordance with state law.

(d)

The health director or animals services director can authorize a canvass of the county to determine if there are any dogs or cats not wearing the required vaccination tag. If a dog or cat is found not wearing the required rabies vaccination tag, the animal control officer shall check to see if the owner's or keeper's identification can be found on the animal. If the animal control officer does not know who the owner or keeper is, the animal control officer may impound the animal.

(e)

Rabies vaccinations are not approved for exotic animals, except as authorized by the state public health veterinarian.

(f)

Penalty. Failure to comply with the requirements in subsection (a) shall result in a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each offense.

(Ord. of 6-7-95, § IV(1); Ord. of 11-6-00, § IV(1); Amend. of 10-3-16; Amend. of 2-19-18; Amend. of 8-6-18)