Rabies Count - 6.02

Any owner who acquires or commences the harboring of a dog or cat, five months of age or older, shall within twenty-one (21) days following such acquisition or harboring cause such dog or cat to be vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine approved by the State Department of Health and administered by a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine. A certificate of vaccination from any licensed veterinarian of any jurisdiction, which is less than one (1) year old, shall be deemed prima facie evidence that the animal owner has complied with this section; however, a longer period of time for expiration of the vaccination shall be prima facie evidence of compliance with this section if the effectiveness of the vaccination is certified for such longer period of time by a licensed veterinarian.

If other species of animals are vaccinated, such vaccination shall be with a vaccine approved by the State Department of Health.

Upon application for a dog license, the applicant shall exhibit to the Town manager a current rabies certificate from a licensed veterinarian certifying compliance with Section 6.02.010 Rabies vaccination of this Chapter.

Such certificate shall contain the following information:

1. The name, address and telephone number of the owner of said animal;
2. The date of vaccination;
3. The type of vaccine used;
4. The year and series number of the rabies tag;
5. The breed, age, color and sex of the vaccinated animal, i.e. male, neutered male, female, or spayed female.
6. Expiration date of the current vaccination, which shall be presumed to be one (1) year from the date of such vaccination unless a longer period is specifically stated in the certificate

The owner upon obtaining the required rabies vaccination shall cause to be attached to the collar or harness of the vaccinated animal a metal rabies tag, serially numbered to correspond with the vaccination certificate number and bearing the year of issuance and the name of the jurisdiction and state. Such tag shall be upon the animal at all times.

In the event of loss or destruction of the original tag provided by the veterinarian administering the vaccination, the owner shall obtain a duplicate tag from the same veterinarian upon providing proof of said vaccination by presenting the original certificate or other satisfactory proof of vaccination to the same veterinarian and requesting a duplicate tag.

It shall be unlawful for any person who owns or harbors a vaccinated dog to fail or refuse to exhibit his copy of the certificate of vaccination upon demand by the code enforcement officer.