Chapter 7.04
RABIES CONTROL
Sections:
7.04.010 Compulsory immunization of dogs, cats and other animals for rabies.
7.04.020 Emergency immunization.
7.04.030 Rabies control and vaccination for rabies.
7.04.040 Prima facie evidence.
7.04.050 Interfering with enforcement and penalties.
7.04.060 Muzzling and securing animals.
7.04.070 Rabies - Report by owner.
7.04.080 Rabies - Report by physician.
7.04.090 Rabies - Report by others.
7.04.100 Rabies - Examination.
7.04.110 Rabies - Quarantine - Conditions.
7.04.120 Rabies - quarantine - place.
7.04.130 Rabies - Report of condition.
7.04.140 Death of animal during quarantine.
7.04.145 Payment of quarantine and examination costs.
7.04.150 Periodic examination of animal.
7.04.160 Penalties for violations.
Section 7.04.010 Compulsory immunization of dogs, cats and other animals for rabies.
1. The owners of all dogs, cats and other animals, six months of age or older, within the corporate limits of the city, are required to have a biennial immunization against rabies for their dogs, cats and other animals.
2. The term "owner," in addition to its ordinary meaning, includes any person who keeps or harbors a dog, cat or other animal.
3. A current certificate of immunization for rabies signed by a licensed veterinarian shall hereafter be required for all animals within the corporate limits of the city, and a copy of the certificate shall be presented by the owner or his agent to the health department of the city biennially on or before January 2nd, and the certificate shall at that time be accepted by the city as proof of immunization.
4. The owner shall display the current rabies-immunization tag issued by the city at all times on a collar, harness or chain attached to the dog, cat or other animal within the city. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.020 Emergency immunization. Whenever any agency of the state or the health officer determines that there is a state of emergency regarding rabies control, the mayor shall have the authority to order by proclamation the immediate immunization and/or booster immunization of any or all dogs, cats or other animals against rabies, notwithstanding the provisions for biennial immunization set forth in Section 7.04.010. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.030 Rabies control and vaccination for rabies. Whenever the city council finds and determines, on the advice of the health officer, that there is danger of the existence or spread of rabies, it may direct the mayor to forthwith issue a proclamation of emergency announcing the presence of rabies, and ordering and requiring the law enforcement officers of the city to destroy upon sight any dog, cat or other animal running loose and at large within the corporate limits of the city. The proclamation, after issuance, shall remain in full force and effect for a ninety-day period from the date of the making. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.040 Prima facie evidence. Failure of an owner to comply with Section 7.04.010-4 shall be construed as prima facie evidence of a failure to secure required immunization referred to herein. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.050 Interfering with enforcement and penalties. It is unlawful for any person in any manner to interfere with any employee or designated representative of the city so as to hinder, delay or prevent his executing his duties in relation to the matters and things contained in this chapter. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.060 Muzzling and securing animals. The mayor, whenever in his opinion the danger to the public safety from rabid dogs, cats or other domesticated animals is great and imminent, shall have the authority to publish a proclamation ordering and requiring all persons owning, keeping or harboring any dog, cat or other domesticated animal to muzzle the same or to confine the same for not less than sixty days from the date of such proclamation, by good and sufficient means, to the house or premises wherein such person may reside; and upon the issuance of such proclamation by the mayor, it shall be the duty of all persons owning, keeping or harboring any animal during the term specified in such proclamation to confine the same, by good and sufficient means, within the premises or have the same properly and securely muzzled. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.070 Rabies - Report by owner. It shall be the duty of the agent or owner of any dog, cat or other domesticated animal suspected of being infected with rabies or other diseases communicable to the human family, or any animal that has been attacked, bitten or caused any skin abrasion upon any person, to report the same at once to the health officer. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.080 Rabies - Report by physician. It shall be the duty of any physician to immediately transmit to the health officer any information that may come to him in his professional capacity with reference to any patient of his having been attacked, bitten or having any skin abrasion caused by any dog, cat or other domesticated animal. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.090 Rabies - Report by others. It shall be the duty of any person so attacked or bitten or who has any skin abrasion caused by being attacked or bitten by any dog, cat or other domesticated animal to immediately report the same to the health officer. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.100 Rabies - Examination. In the event of any of the foregoing contingencies, the health officer shall cause the dog, cat or other domesticated animal so suspected of being infected with diseases communicable to the human family, or who has attacked, bitten or caused any skin abrasion upon any person, to be immediately examined. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.110 Rabies - Quarantine - Conditions. The health officer shall thereupon make such examinations as in his judgment are necessary to determine whether or not such dog or cat or other domesticated animal is suffering from rabies or other communicable diseases transmissible to the human family, and shall place such dog, cat or other domesticated animal in quarantine and keep it under observation for such period as in his opinion may be necessary, but at least for a period of ten days. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.120 Rabies - quarantine - place. Such dog or cat or other animal may be placed in quarantine at a location designated by the health officer. If the animal has not been properly immunized against rabies, the animal shall be quarantined at the Animal Shelter or any animal hospital at the expense of the owner. If the animal has been properly immunized against rabies, the animal may be placed in quarantine at the owner's home if the health officer deems it a proper location, taking into consideration all of the following: The circumstances of the bite, the history of the animal, the facilities of the owner (including whether the animal can be kept, tied and isolated from all other animals and cannot come into contact with any person or persons other than the owner) and the willingness of the owner to cooperate. It is unlawful to permit an animal placed in quarantine at the owner's home to be untied or to come into contact with persons or other animals. If, in the opinion of the health officer, the owner's home is not an appropriate place to quarantine the animal, the dog, cat or other domesticated animal may be quarantined at the Animal Shelter or any animal hospital at the expense of the owner. (Ord. 89/T-8055)
Section 7.04.130 Rabies - Report of condition. It shall be the duty of the owner or agent, after the dog, cat or other domesticated animal is placed under quarantine, to report at once to the health officer who has placed the animal under quarantine any noticeable change in the physical condition of such animal, and to notify him at once in the event that such animal should die. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.140 Death of animal during quarantine. In the event of the death of an animal suspected by the health official to be rabid or suffering from disease, the agent or owner of said animal shall leave the carcass of such animal untouched until the health officer has had an opportunity of viewing such carcass, and shall turn over said animal to local or state health officials or the purpose of making such post mortem examinations or other examinations, including autopsy and disposal thereof, which in his opinion are necessary to determine whether or not such animal has died of rabies or other diseases communicable to humans. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.145 Payment of quarantine and examination costs.
1. The owner of any animal quarantined may redeem such animal after any quarantine period upon the payment of all costs of confinement, including cost of food and the care of such an animal. If the animal is a stray or the owner is unknown, the agency ordering the quarantine will be billed for all costs relative to the animal.
2. When an animal dies during quarantine, the owner, if known, shall be billed for all costs of confinement to date of death, and for all examinations including post mortem or laboratory tests for rabies.
3. If the owner of an animal or any other person or organization specifically requests a post mortem or laboratory examination of an animal for rabies, then the person making such a request shall pay all costs incurred. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.150 Periodic examination of animal. It shall be the duty of the health officer to make, in addition to the initial examination, at least one subsequent examination at the end of the ten-day period, and such other examinations as he may deem necessary. (Ord. 82/T-1235)
Section 7.04.160 Penalties for violations. Any person or persons who violates the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a municipal infraction and shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished according to the provisions of section 1.04.100. (Ord. 2006-0676)
