Chapter 6.16
RABIES CONTROL

Sections:

6.16.010    Quarantine – Duty to report – Diagnosis and disposition.

6.16.020    Immunizations.

6.16.030    False proof of immunization.

6.16.010 Quarantine – Duty to report – Diagnosis and disposition.

A. Every animal which bites a human being or exhibits signs of rabies shall be promptly reported to the animal control officer. Every dog or cat that bites a human shall be quarantined for a period of 10 days. Such quarantine may be on the premises of the owner in the discretion of the animal control officer and if the dog or cat has a current rabies vaccination; otherwise such quarantine will take place in the animal shelter or, at the owner’s expense, in a veterinary hospital. In the case of stray dogs and cats, or in case ownership is not known, such quarantine shall be at the animal shelter. In the event of a bite by an animal other than a dog or cat, if such animal be of a species known to transmit rabies, the animal shall be quarantined and disposed of in accord with the directives of the state epidemiologist.

B. The owner, upon demand made by the animal control officer, shall forthwith surrender any animal which has bitten a human and/or which is suspected of having been exposed to rabies, for a supervised quarantine in accord with subsection (A) of this section; and the animal may be reclaimed by the owner as specified in FNSBC 6.12.020 when adjudged to be free of rabies.

C. It shall be the duty of every physician, or other practitioner of medicine, to report to the animal control officer the names and addresses of persons treated for bites inflicted by animals, together with such other information as will be helpful in rabies control.

D. It shall be the duty of every licensed veterinarian to report to the animal control officer his diagnosis of any animal observed by him as a rabies suspect.

E. When any animal has been diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian as being rabid, the animal control officer shall immediately notify the Alaska State Department of Health and Social Services. The animal control officer shall comply with orders and directions of the department with regard to the animal.

F. When the examination gives a positive diagnosis of rabies, the borough mayor or his designee may impose a borough-wide quarantine for a period of 30 days. During such quarantine, no animal shall be permitted off the owner’s premises or in the public streets, or may any animal be taken or shipped from the quarantine area without written permission from the animal control officer and the public health officer. Any animal found running at large during such quarantine shall be killed on sight.

G. During such quarantine as described in this section, every animal bitten by an animal adjudged to be rabid shall forthwith be destroyed unless the animal has a current vaccination. These properly vaccinated animals must immediately receive a booster vaccination and be quarantined for 30 days to be adjudged rabies free.

H. In the event there are additional positive cases of rabies occurring during the period of the quarantine, such period of quarantine may be extended at the discretion of the borough mayor.

I. Upon the recommendation of the animal control officer, the borough mayor may put into effect for the period of quarantine such other precautionary regulations as may be deemed necessary. Such precautionary regulations shall be made public by means of an intensive information campaign through local news media and other appropriate means. All additional regulations must be approved at an immediate special meeting of the borough assembly.

J. No person shall kill or cause to be killed any rabid animal or any animal biting a human, except in defense of life and limb or otherwise as provided in this title, nor remove same from the area without written permission from the animal control officer. All efforts shall be made to save the head from the dead animal for observation.

K. The carcass of any dead animal thought exposed to rabies shall upon demand be surrendered to the animal control officer.

L. The animal control officer and public health officer shall direct the disposition of any animal found to be infected with rabies.

M. No person shall fail or refuse to surrender any animal for quarantine or destruction as required in this section when demand is made by the animal control officer. (Ord. 88-058 § 9, 1988; Ord. 80-65 §§ 5, 6, 1980; Ord. 78-15, 1978)

6.16.020 Immunizations.

A. No person shall own, keep or harbor a dog or cat over three months of age within the borough, unless such animal is properly immunized against rabies. All other animals (i.e., skunks, raccoons, etc.) shall be vaccinated as required by state law.

B. The animal control officer shall from time to time, and at least annually, hold a rabies immunization clinic. The clinic shall be held at such times and places as to encourage the widest participation. The cooperation of the local veterinary association will be sought in the conduct of the clinics. Fees to be charged may not exceed cost plus 10 percent.

C. Proper rabies immunization as used in this section and also to be administered pursuant to other provisions of this title shall conform to the current recommendations and requirements as set forth by the compendium on animal rabies vaccines prepared by the National Association of State Health Veterinarians, Inc., as published annually in the Centers for Disease Control’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Proof of immunization shall consist of a rabies certificate from a licensed veterinarian or lay vaccinator certified by the state of Alaska. (Ord. 85-158 § 6, 1985; Ord. 82-104 §§ 5, 6, 1983; Ord. 78-15, 1978)

6.16.030 False proof of immunization.

It is a violation for any veterinarian or other person to give, issue or transmit any purported proof or certificate of or receipt for rabies immunization not actually given to the animal for which proof, certificate or receipt is given. (Ord. 2000-50 § 10, 2000; Ord. 78-15, 1978)