Imperial Municipal Code Div. 2 Rabies Control

person to own, harbor or keep any dog or cat in the City unless such dog shall have been immunized annually against rabies in a manner as set forth in this Section.

for each dog they own, keep, harbor or have custody of within one month after it becomes four (4) months of age, or within one month after obtaining any dog over four (4) months of age, it shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, harbor or possess or to have in his care, charge or custody any dog five (5) months of age or over unless such dog has a current and valid rabies vaccination administered by any duly qualified and licensed veterinarian, with a rabies vaccine approved by the State Department of Health for use in dogs. Such vaccination shall be repeated at intervals specified by the State Department of Health in order to maintain adequate immunity.

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rabies vaccination clinics to be held at various locations where dog owners may obtain the required rabies vaccinations at the applicable fee.

vaccinates a dog for rabies shall so certify by properly completing, as described in Section 4-57, the dog license application-rabies certificate form issued by the City for that purpose, and shall forward monthly to City Hall a copy of each form so completed. When administered for the purpose of issuing a dog license, the vaccination must be valid for the entire licensing period as specified for the indicated vaccine by the State Department of Health.

provisions of the Article, a dog need not be vaccinated for rabies during an illness if a licensed veterinarian has examined the dog and certified in writing that such vaccination should be postponed or withheld because of a specified condition. Old age, debility and pregnancy are not considered contraindications to rabies vaccination. Exemption certificates are subject to approval by a veterinarian designated by the City and shall be valid only for the duration of the illness and in no case for more than one month from the date issued. Exemption from vaccination does not exempt a dog from the other licensing requirement.

of an animal which shows symptoms of rabies or which acts in a manner which would lead to a reasonable suspicion that it may have rabies, shall notify the City Animal Control Officer and comply with appropriate laws and regulations regarding suspected cases of rabies as directed by the City.

minor children bitten by any warm blooded animal know to constitute a serious threat of rabies shall notify the City Animal Control Officer or Animal Control Director as soon as possible thereafter. Physicians treating such bites and other persons having knowledge of such bites also are required to make such notification. All bites should be reported by physicians to the Animal Control Officer.

to Enter Premises to Inspect. Upon the order of the Animal Control Officer, a suspected rabid animal shall be isolated, at the owner’s expense, if owned, in strict confinement under proper care and under the observation of a licensed veterinarian in an animal shelter, or other adequate facility in a manner approved by the Animal Control Officer; and such animal shall not be killed or released for at least ten (10) days after the onset of symptoms suggestive of rabies unless permission is obtained from the Animal Control Officer to sacrifice the animal for the purpose of laboratory examination. The Animal Control Officer may enter private property to inspect the premises for the possibility of rabies.

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rabies which has been bitten by a know rabid or suspected rabid animal, or which has been in intimate contact with such animal shall be isolated, at the owner’s expense, if owned, in strict confinement in a place and manner approved by the Animal Control Officer and observed for a period of thirty (30) days.

Section 4-78 through 4-85 Reserved.