Chapter 6.36
RABIES

Sections:

6.36.010    Rabies vaccination required for dogs and cats.

6.36.020    Duties of veterinarian and tag requirements.

6.36.030    Transient animal – Exception.

6.36.040    Impoundment of animal without valid rabies vaccination tag.

6.36.050    Reporting of rabid animals.

6.36.060    Quarantining and disposition of biting or rabid animals.

6.36.070    Removal of quarantined animal.

6.36.010 Rabies vaccination required for dogs and cats.

The owner or person having the charge, care, custody, and control of a four month of age or older cat or dog shall have the animal vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days after it reaches such age and 12 months thereafter. Any dog or cat older than one year shall be vaccinated once every 36 months. Any person permitting any such animal to habitually be on or remain, or be lodged, kept, confined or housed, or fed within such person’s house, yard, or premises shall be responsible for the vaccination. This provision shall not apply to a veterinarian temporarily maintaining on their premises animals owned by another. [Ord. 14-159, 2014.]

6.36.020 Duties of veterinarian and tag requirements.

(1) It shall be the duty of each veterinarian, when vaccinating any animal for rabies, to complete a certificate of rabies vaccination (in duplicate) which includes the following information:

(a) Owner’s name, and address and phone number;

(b) Description of animal (species, breed, sex, markings, age, name);

(c) Date of vaccination and expiration date of same;

(d) Rabies vaccination tag number;

(e) Type of rabies vaccine administered;

(f) Manufacturer’s serial number of vaccine.

(2) A copy of the vaccination certificate shall be distributed to the owner and the original retained by the issuing veterinarian. The veterinarian and the owner shall retain their copies of the certificate for the time period between vaccinations as specified in this section. Additionally, a metal or durable plastic rabies tag, serially numbered, shall be securely attached to the collar or harness of the animal. An animal not wearing such a tag is in violation of this title. [Ord. 14-159, 2014.]

6.36.030 Transient animal – Exception.

The provisions of this chapter with respect to vaccination shall not apply to any animal owned by a person temporarily remaining within the jurisdiction for less than 30 days within a year. Such animals shall be kept under strict supervision of the owner. It is unlawful to bring any animal into the jurisdiction which does not comply with the animal health laws and import regulations. [Ord. 14-159, 2014.]

6.36.040 Impoundment of animal without valid rabies vaccination tag.

(1) Any vaccinated animal impounded because of a lack of a rabies vaccination tag may be reclaimed by its owner, within five business days of impounding, by furnishing proof of rabies vaccination and by payment of all impoundment fees prior to release.

(2) Any unvaccinated animal may be reclaimed provided that the owner of such animal agrees in writing to have such animal vaccinated for rabies within 30 days after claiming such animal and furnishes written proof to the district that the animal has been vaccinated within the 30-day period. Failure to have such animal vaccinated within 30 days after agreeing in writing to do so shall be deemed to be a violation of this title.

(3) Any animal not reclaimed shall be disposed of as provided in the district’s policies and procedures. [Ord. 14-159, 2014.]

6.36.050 Reporting of rabid animals.

Any person having knowledge of the whereabouts of an animal known to have been exposed to, or suspected of having rabies, or of any animal or person bitten by such a suspect animal, shall notify the animal control officer, or the district within 24 hours. [Ord. 14-159, 2014.]

6.36.060 Quarantining and disposition of biting or rabid animals.

(1) An animal that has rabies or shows signs of having rabies, and every animal bitten by another animal infected with rabies or that has been exposed to rabies shall be reported by the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control, as set forth above and shall immediately be confined in a secure place by the owner. The owner shall turn over the animal to the animal control officer upon demand.

(2) If the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control refuses to surrender the animal, the animal control officer shall immediately obtain a search warrant authorizing seizure and impoundment of the animal.

(3) Any animal of a species subject to rabies that bites a person or animal or is suspected of having rabies may be seized and quarantined for observation for a period of not less than 10 days by the animal control officer. The owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of the animal shall bear the cost of confinement. The animal shelter shall be the normal place for quarantine, but other arrangements, including confinement by the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control, may be made by the animal control officer if the animal had a current rabies vaccination at the time the bite was inflicted or if there are other special circumstances justifying an exception. A person who has charge, care, custody or control of an animal under quarantine shall immediately notify the animal control officer if the animal shows any signs of sickness or abnormal behavior, or if the animal escapes confinement. It is unlawful for any person who has charge, care, custody or control of a quarantined animal to fail or refuse to allow a health or animal control officer to make an inspection or examination during the period of quarantine. If the animal dies within 10 days from the date of the bite, the person having charge, care, custody or control shall immediately notify the TriCounty health department and animal control, and/ or immediately have the head removed by a licensed veterinarian and delivered to the State Health Laboratory to be examined for rabies. If, at the end of the 10-day period, the animal control officer and/or a licensed veterinarian examines the animal and finds no sign of rabies, the animal may be released to the owner or in the case of a stray, it shall be disposed of as provided in the district’s policies and procedures.

(4) Unvaccinated Bitten Animals.

(a) In the case of an unvaccinated animal subject to rabies which is known to have been bitten by a known rabid animal, such bitten or exposed animal shall be immediately destroyed, except as hereinafter provided.

(b) If the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control is unwilling to destroy the bitten or exposed animal, the animal shall be immediately isolated and quarantined for six months under veterinary supervision, the cost of such confinement to be paid in advance by the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control. If the owner or person in charge, care, custody or control of the animal is unwilling to pay the cost of confinement in advance then the district may seek a court order to have the animal immediately destroyed.

(5) Vaccinated Bitten Animals.

(a) If the bitten or exposed animal has been vaccinated, the animal shall be revaccinated within 24 hours and quarantined for a period of 30 days following revaccination.

(b) If the animal is not revaccinated within 24 hours, the animal shall be isolated and quarantined under veterinary supervision for six months, the cost of such confinement to be paid in advance by the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control. [Ord. 14-159, 2014.]

6.36.070 Removal of quarantined animal.

It is unlawful for any person to remove any such animal from the place of quarantine without written permission of the animal control officer. [Ord. 14-159, 2014.]