§ 4-20. Vaccinations.

(a)

All dogs, cats and other household pets four (4) months of age or over within the city shall be immunized against rabies by a licensed veterinarian by means of any standard vaccine as approved by the U.S. government for the prevention of rabies. The animal must receive a booster vaccination within the twelve-month interval following the initial vaccination. The owner shall then have the option of a one-year or three-year vaccination schedule thereafter depending on the type of vaccine used. The licensed veterinarian who administers such vaccine shall issue to the owner or the person having such animal vaccinated a certificate of vaccination stating the name of the owner, the description of the animal and the date of vaccination and kind of vaccine used. He shall also issue a metal tag with the veterinarian's office address and the year of vaccination stamped thereon.

(b)

The metal tag provided for in subsection (a) of this section shall be securely fastened in some manner to the dog at any time the animal is not confined to the owner's property, and it shall be unlawful for any person to remove such metal tag from any dog.

(c)

It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to own, keep, possess, harbor or allow to remain upon the premises under his control any animal without having such animal immunized against rabies as required by subsection (a) of this section.

(d)

This section shall not apply to new residents of the city, wherein their dog or cat has previously been administered a triennial booster vaccination by a licensed veterinarian and whereas such triennial vaccination booster is in compliance with their previous resident jurisdictions' regulations for rabies booster vaccinations and whereas at the expiration of their dog or cat's triennial rabies vaccination booster the new resident complies with the annual rabies vaccination booster provided for in subsection (a).

(e)

This section shall not apply to fish, birds, ungulates or any of the following list of animals: Hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, mice, gerbils or any other animal other than a dog which, in the opinion of the licensed veterinarian, would be endangered by a rabies vaccination.

(f)

Any person, firm or corporation who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) for each offense. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.

(Ord. No. 2026, § 1(Exh. A), 8-14-07; Ord. No. 2075, §§ 1, 4, 9-23-08; Ord. No. 2250, § 1, 2-11-14)