Chapter 6.16
RABIES CONTROL1
Sections:
6.16.100 Disposition of infected dogs.
6.16.120 Rabies vaccination required.
6.16.130 Duties of veterinarian.
6.16.150 Exception of vaccination requirement.
6.16.160 Impoundment of rabies suspects.
6.16.170 Handling of dogs bitten by rabid animals.
6.16.180 Agreement to operate pound.
6.16.190 Absence of rabies tag – Impoundment.
6.16.200 Impoundment – Notice – Reclamation.
6.16.210 Provisions for enforcement.
6.16.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter unless the context otherwise indicates:
A. “Dog” means both male and female, sexed or neutered.
B. “Owner” means any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping or harboring a dog or cat.
C. “At large” means off the premises of the owner, and not under the control of the owner or a member of the owner’s immediate family either by leash, cord, chain or otherwise.
D. “Vaccination against rabies” mean the inoculation of a dog or cat with a rabies vaccine licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Such vaccination must be performed by a veterinarian duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Washington.
E. “Animal warden” means the city’s police officers or other designated officers, employees or agents, or governmental entities contracting with the city to provide animal control services. (Ord. 1210 § 9, 1994; Ord. 441 § 1, 1969).
6.16.020 License fee.
Repealed by Ord. 1210. (Ord. 495 § 1, 1971; Ord. 441 § 2, 1969).
6.16.030 License required.
Repealed by Ord. 1210. (Ord. 495 § 2, 1971).
6.16.040 Tag and collar.
Repealed by Ord. 1210. (Ord. 441 § 3, 1969).
6.16.070 Redemption of impounded animals.
Repealed by Ord. 1210. (Ord. 441 § 6, 1969).
6.16.080 Impoundment fees.
Repealed by Ord. 1210. (Ord. 441 § 7, 1969).
6.16.090 Confinement of certain dogs.
Repealed by Ord. 1210. (Ord. 441 § 8, 1969).
6.16.100 Disposition of infected dogs.
Any unlicensed dog required by law to be licensed, or any dog which appears to be suffering from rabies or affected with hydrophobia, mange or other infectious or dangerous disease shall not be released but may be forthwith destroyed. (Ord. 441 § 9, 1969).
6.16.110 Confinement of vicious dogs and cats or female dogs and cats in heat.
Repealed by Ord. 1773. (Ord. 1210 § 10, 1994; Ord. 441 § 10, 1969).
6.16.120 Rabies vaccination required.
Every dog four months of age and older shall be vaccinated against rabies. Young dogs shall be vaccinated within 30 days after they have reached three months of age. Unvaccinated dogs acquired or moved into the city must be vaccinated within 30 days after purchase or arrival, unless under four months of age, as specified above.
Every dog shall be revaccinated at not more than 24-month intervals thereafter. (Ord. 441 § 11, 1969).
6.16.130 Duties of veterinarian.
It shall be the duty of each veterinarian, at time of vaccinating any dog, to complete a certificate of rabies vaccination (in triplicate) which includes the following information:
A. Owner’s name and address;
B. Description of dog (breed, sex, markings, age, name);
C. Date of vaccination;
D. Rabies vaccination tag number;
E. Type of rabies vaccine administered;
F. Manufacturer’s serial number of vaccine.
Distribution of copies of certificate shall be as follows: the original forwarded to the rabies control authority; first copy to owner; and the second copy retained by the issuing veterinarian. The veterinarian and the owner shall retain their copies for the interval between vaccinations specified in PMC 6.16.120. A metal or durable plastic tag, serially numbered, issued by the rabies control authority, shall be securely attached to the collar or harness of the dog. Wherever the dog is outdoors, whether on or off the owner’s premises, the collar or harness with the vaccination tag must be worn. (Ord. 441 § 12, 1969).
6.16.140 Vaccination cost.
The cost of rabies vaccination shall be borne by the owner of the dog. (Ord. 441 § 13, 1969).
6.16.150 Exception of vaccination requirement.
The provisions of this chapter with respect to vaccination shall not apply to any dog owned by a person temporarily remaining within the city of Pacific for less than 30 days, or any dog brought into the city for field trial or show purposes, nor for hunting dogs in the state for less than 30 days. Such dogs shall be kept under strict supervision of the owner. However, it is unlawful to bring any dog into the city which does not comply with the animal health laws and import regulations of the state of Washington which are applicable to dogs. (Ord. 441 § 14, 1969).
6.16.160 Impoundment of rabies suspects.
A. Any dog or other animal suspected of being afflicted with rabies, or any dog not vaccinated in accordance with PMC 6.16.120, which has bitten any person and caused an abrasion of the skin of such person, shall be seized and impounded under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian for a period of not less than 15 days. If, upon examination by a veterinarian, the dog has no signs of rabies at the end of the impoundment, it may be released to the owner or, in the case of a stray, it shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable laws.
B. Any dog, vaccinated in accordance with PMC 6.16.120, or other animal which has bitten any person shall be confined by the owner or other responsible person as required by the rabies control authority for a period of 15 days, at which time the dog or other animal shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian. If no signs of rabies are observed by the veterinarian, the dog may be released from confinement. (Ord. 441 § 15, 1969).
6.16.170 Handling of dogs bitten by rabid animals.
In the case of dogs known to have been bitten by a rabid animal, the following rules shall apply:
A. Unvaccinated Dogs.
1. In the case of dogs which are not vaccinated in accordance with PMC 6.16.120 and which have been bitten by a known rabid animal, said bitten (exposed) dog should be immediately destroyed.
2. If the owner is unwilling to destroy the bitten (exposed) dog, strict isolation of the dog in a kennel under veterinary supervision for a minimum of six months shall be enforced.
B. If the bitten (exposed) dog is vaccinated in accordance with the provision of PMC 6.16.120 of this chapter the dog shall be handled as follows:
1. Immediately revaccinated and confined for a period of 30 days following revaccination; or
2. If the dog is not immediately revaccinated, the dog shall be confined in strict isolation in a kennel for six months under the supervision of a veterinarian; or
3. The dog shall be destroyed if the owner does not comply with item (1) or (2) of subsection B. (Ord. 441 § 16, 1969).
6.16.180 Agreement to operate pound.
The rabies control authority may authorize a pound or pounds, or it may enter into a cooperative agreement with a licensed veterinarian for the establishment and operation of a pound. (Ord. 441 § 17(1), 1969).
6.16.190 Absence of rabies tag – Impoundment.
Any dog found off the owner’s premises and not wearing a valid rabies vaccination tag shall be impounded. All impounded dogs shall be given proper care and maintenance. Each impounded dog shall be kept and maintained at the pound for a minimum of three days unless claimed earlier by the owner. (Ord. 441 § 17(2), 1969).
6.16.200 Impoundment – Notice – Reclamation.
A. Notice of impoundment identifying the impounded animal shall be posted at the shelter as public notification of impoundment. Any unvaccinated dog or cat may be reclaimed by its owners during the period of impoundment by payment of prescribed shelter fees and complying with rabies vaccination requirement of this chapter within 72 hours of release. Any dog or cat impounded because of lack of a rabies vaccination tag may be reclaimed by its owner by furnishing proof of rabies vaccination and payment of all impound fees prior to release.
B. At the expiration of impoundment a dog or cat may be claimed by payment of an established shelter fee as established by separate city resolution and by compliance with the rabies vaccination requirement of this chapter within 72 hours of release. If the dog or cat is unclaimed at the end of the period established in Chapter 6.05 PMC, the authority may dispose of the dog or cat in accordance with applicable laws or regulations contained in this title for disposition of dogs or cats. (Ord. 1773 § 6, 2010; Ord. 1210 § 11, 1994; Ord. 441 § 17(3), 1969).
6.16.210 Provisions for enforcement.
To enforce the provisions of this chapter, authority for the control of rabies should be delegated to the mayor. (Ord. 441 § 18, 1969).
6.16.220 Pound fees.
Impoundment fees shall be borne by the owner. (Ord. 441 § 19, 1969).
6.16.230 Muzzling.
Whenever it becomes necessary to safeguard the public from the dangers of hydrophobia, the mayor, if he deems it necessary, shall issue a proclamation ordering every person owning or keeping a dog or cat to confine it securely on his premises unless such dog or cat shall have a muzzle of sufficient strength to prevent its biting any person. Any unmuzzled dog or cat running at large during the time of proclamation shall be seized and impounded, unless noticeably infected with rabies. All dogs and cats so noticeably infected with rabies and displaying vicious propensities shall be destroyed by the city police or animal warden without notice to the owner. Dogs and cats impounded during the first two days of such proclamation shall, if claimed within three days, be released to the owner, unless infected with rabies, upon payment of impound charges. If unclaimed after that period, such dogs or cats may be summarily destroyed. (Ord. 1210 § 12, 1994; Ord. 441 § 20, 1969).
6.16.240 Public parks and school grounds.
Repealed by Ord. 1773. (Ord. 441 § 21, 1969).
6.16.250 Kennel license.
Repealed by Ord. 1210. (Ord. 441 § 22, 1969).
6.16.260 Violation – Penalty.
Any owner found violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to and punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus impounding fees for the first offense, and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25.00 or more than $1,000 for subsequent offenses. (Ord. 1167 § 7, 1992; Ord. 441 § 23, 1969).
For statutory authority empowering third-class cities to prevent and regulate the running at large of domestic animals within the city limits, see RCW 35.24.290.