14.030 Rabies.

(1) Rabies Control. The provisions of Wis. Stat. § 95.21 pertaining to rabies control for dogs are hereby adopted by reference. In addition, all the provisions of Wis. Stat. § 95.21 applicable to dogs are hereby made applicable to cats. In addition to the requirements of Wis. Stat. § 95.21 and pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 95.21(9), the City adopts the following provisions of a rabies control program. Where there is any conflict between Wis. Stat. § 95.21 and the following provisions, the more restrictive provision shall apply.

(2) Rabies Inoculation. It shall be the duty of the owner of every dog or cat to have such dog or cat inoculated with an acceptable rabies vaccine by a licensed veterinarian. A dog must be vaccinated every two years. A cat must be vaccinated every year.

(3) Control of Rabies.

(a) Report Required. Any dog or cat having rabies or suspected of having rabies shall be reported to the County Health Department within 24 hours by any person having knowledge or suspicion of the same. Whenever a dog or cat shall bite any person, notice thereof shall be reported to the County Health Department or the Police Department within 24 hours giving, if possible, the name and address of the owner of the dog or cat and the circumstances under which the bite occurred.

(b) Confinement of Dogs and Cats That Have Bitten Persons. In cases where a person has been bitten by a dog or cat and the animal has been licensed and inoculated for rabies it will not be mandatory to have the animal examined or observed by a veterinarian. When a dog or cat has bitten a person and the animal has not been licensed, nor has received a current inoculation for rabies, the dog or cat owner shall be held responsible to furnish a certificate, from a veterinarian of the owner’s choice, to the Police Department stating that the animal has been observed for the required period of time and has been found to be free of rabies. In all other cases where a person has been bitten by a stray or wild animal, and ownership cannot be ascertained, the animal shall be confined for observation in such a place as may be designated by the Police or County Health Department. It is hereby provided that under any conditions the Police Department or County Health Department retains the right and authority to order confinement, impoundment, or seizure of any animal at any time for reasons of health or safety. Any confinement of any dog or cat for the purpose of observing the rabies content of said dog or cat shall be done according to the State Statutes.

(4) Penalties. Any owner who fails to have a dog or cat vaccinated against rabies as required hereunder shall forfeit not less than $50.00 nor more than $100.00. Any person who refuses to comply with an order issued to deliver an animal to an officer, isolation facility or veterinarian or who does not comply with the conditions of the order that an animal be quarantined shall be fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $1,000. Any person who violates any other provision of this section may be required to forfeit not more than $100.00.

[Prior code § 14.05]