Chapter 6.28
RABIES CONTROL
Sections:
6.28.010 Current vaccination required.
6.28.020 Revaccination – Biting – Confinement.
6.28.030 Quarantine requirements.
6.28.040 Quarantine – Diagnosis.
6.28.070 Suspicion of rabies – Detention authority.
6.28.010 Current vaccination required.
All dogs over the age of six months or dogs with a full set of canine teeth shall have a current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian. If obtained from the shelter, the dog shall be vaccinated within 30 days of obtaining the dog. An owner or custodian acquiring a dog shall have such dog inoculated against rabies within 30 days after the dog reaches six months of age. Any person moving into the city from a location outside of the city shall comply with this section 30 days after having moved into the city. (Ord. 862 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023)
6.28.020 Revaccination – Biting – Confinement.
A current rabies vaccination means that a dog vaccinated between three months and one year of age shall be revaccinated at least every three years thereafter. Any dog, cat or other animal that has bitten any person shall be immediately confined for a period of 10 days. No animal under confinement shall be released from confinement until such release has been approved by the animal control authority. (Ord. 862 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023)
6.28.030 Quarantine requirements.
It is unlawful for the owner of any dog, cat or any other animal that has bitten any persons to destroy such animal before it can be properly confined by an animal control officer. The location of such confinement shall be determined by the animal control officer and shall be at the sole expense of the owner or custodian. The owner or custodian of any animal that has been reported as having inflicted a bite on any person shall on demand of the animal control officer produce such animal for examination and quarantine as prescribed in this chapter. If the owner or custodian of any such animal refuses to produce such animal, the owner or custodian shall be subject to immediate arrest by a police officer if there exists probable cause to believe that the animal has inflicted a bite upon a person and the owner or custodian is keeping or harboring the animal and willfully refuses to produce the animal upon such demand. Such persons shall be taken before the judge of the district court who may order immediate production of the animal. If the owner willfully or knowingly secretes or refuses to produce the animal, each day of secretion or refusal to produce the animal shall constitute a separate and individual violation of this chapter. (Ord. 862 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023)
6.28.040 Quarantine – Diagnosis.
When an animal under quarantine shall have been diagnosed as being rabid by a licensed veterinarian, the veterinarian making such diagnosis shall immediately notify the county public health officer and advise such officer of any reports of human contact with such rabid animal. If any animal under quarantine dies while under observation, the animal control officer shall immediately take action to obtain a pathological and inoculation examination of the animal. As soon as a diagnosis is made available which shows the animal to be rabid, the animal control officer shall notify the county public health officer of any reports of human contact with the animal. Any animal which has not been inoculated against rabies and is known to have been bitten by a rabid animal shall be humanely destroyed immediately. (Ord. 862 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023)
6.28.050 Veterinarian report.
Any veterinarian who diagnoses rabies in any animal shall report such fact to the animal control officer. The veterinarian shall determine, before any rabies inoculation is given, whether the subject animal is under quarantine or has inflicted a bite on any person within the last 10 days. (Ord. 862 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023)
6.28.060 Emergency authority.
In case of an outbreak of rabies constituting an emergency situation, the mayor shall be authorized to impose strict regulations pertaining to animals within the city limits. (Ord. 862 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023)
6.28.070 Suspicion of rabies – Detention authority.
The director of public health may direct the detention of animals suspected of having rabies. These animals shall be held until their release is approved by the director of public health and all applicable fees are paid. (Ord. 862 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023)