Chapter 6.11
RABIES CONTROL

Sections:

6.11.010    Vaccination required.

6.11.020    Animal bite – Confinement required.

6.11.040    Rabies diagnosis – Report.

6.11.050    Rabies outbreak – Emergency situation.

6.11.060    Violation – Penalty.

6.11.010 Vaccination required.

All dogs over the age of six months shall have the current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian. An owner or custodian acquiring a dog under six months old shall have the dog inoculated against rabies within thirty days after the dog reaches six months of age. Any person moving in the city from a location outside of the city shall comply with this section thirty days after having established residency. (Ord. 95-25 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 1995).

6.11.020 Animal bite – Confinement required.

It is unlawful for the owner of any dog, cat or any other animal that has bitten any person 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 expense of the owner or custodian; provided, however, that the animal control officer shall not permit confinement by the owner of the animal unless the animal is kept in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure with secure sides and a secure top, suitable to prevent the entry of young children and designed to prevent the animal from escaping, during the entire quarantine period. 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 section. If the owner or custodian of any such animal refuses to produce such animal, the owner or custodian shall be subject to immediate arrest if there shall be 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 wilfully refuses to produce the animal upon such demand. Such person shall be taken before the judge of the district court who may order immediate production of the animal. If the owner wilfully 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 section. (Ord. 2001-9 § 17 (part), 2001: Ord. 95-25 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 1995).

6.11.040 Rabies diagnosis – Report.

Any veterinarian who diagnoses rabies in any animal shall report such fact to the animal control officer and the county health department. 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 ten days. (Ord. 95-25 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 1995).

6.11.050 Rabies outbreak – Emergency situation.

In case of an outbreak of rabies constituting an emergency situation, the chief of police and/or county health officer shall be authorized to impose strict regulations pertaining to animals within the city limits. (Ord. 95-25 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 1995).

6.11.060 Violation – Penalty.

Any person who is convicted of violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished as provided in Section 1.24.010 of this code. (Ord. 95-25 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 1995).