Division II. - Rabies Prevention

6.20.090 - Rabies vaccinations.#

A.

Rabies vaccinations, as approved by the Salt Lake County health department board of health, are required for dogs, cats, ferrets, or any other animal which is kept and is susceptible to rabies. The owner or person having the charge, care, custody and control of a cat, dog, or ferret which is six months of age or older, shall have the animal vaccinated within thirty (30) days after it reaches six months. Other vaccination requirements are those set out in the laws of the state of Utah.

B.

Any person permitting any such animal to habitually be on or remain, or be lodged or fed within such person's house, yard or premises shall be responsible for such vaccination.

C.

Unvaccinated dogs or cats over six months of age acquired by the owner or moved into the city must be vaccinated within or before thirty (30) days of purchase or arrival.

D.

Owners shall maintain current certifications of vaccination prepared by a veterinarian.

E.

This section does not apply to licensed veterinarian or kennel operators temporarily maintaining on their premises animals owned by others.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.100 - Duties of veterinarians and tag requirements.#

A.

Each veterinarian, when vaccinating any animal for rabies, is required to complete a certificate of rabies vaccination (in duplicate) which includes the following information:

1.

Owner's name and address;

2.

Description of animal (breed, sex, markings, age, name);

3.

Date of vaccination;

4.

Rabies vaccination tag number;

5.

Type of rabies vaccine administered; and

6.

Manufacturer's serial number of vaccine.

B.

A copy of the certificate shall be distributed to the owner and original retained by the issuing veterinarian. The veterinarian and the owner shall retain their copies of the certificate for the interval between vaccinations specified in this section.

C.

A metal or durable plastic rabies vaccination tag, serially numbered, shall be securely attached to the collar or harness of the animal. A dog not wearing such a tag shall be deemed to be unvaccinated and may be impounded and dealt with pursuant to this chapter.

D.

The provisions of this chapter with respect to vaccination shall not apply to any animal owned by a person temporarily remaining within the city for less than thirty (30) days. Such animals shall be kept under strict supervision of the owner. It is unlawful to bring any animal into the city which does not comply with the animal and health laws and import regulations.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.110 - Impoundment of animals without valid rabies vaccination tag.#

A.

Any vaccinated animal impounded due to failure to wear a rabies vaccination tag may be reclaimed by its owner furnishing proof of rabies vaccination and payment of all impoundment fees prior to release.

B.

Any unvaccinated animal may be reclaimed prior to disposal by payment of impound fees and by obtaining a rabies vaccination within seventy-two (72) hours of release. Failure to provide proof of timely vaccination within seven days of vaccination is an infraction.

C.

Any animal not reclaimed prior to the period shall be disposed of pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.08.080.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.120 - Reporting rabid animals.#

Any person who has knowledge of the whereabouts of an animal known to have been exposed to, or suspected of having rabies, or an animal or person bitten by such a suspect animal, shall notify the animal control division, the Salt Lake County health department or the Utah Division of Health.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.130 - Quarantine and disposition of biting animals.#

A.

All animals of a species which can carry rabies which bite other animals, or which show signs of having rabies, shall be reported by the owner and immediately confined in a secure place by the owner. The owner shall turn over the animal to the animal control division upon demand.

B.

Any animal of a species subject to rabies that bites a person or animal or is suspected of having rabies may be seized and quarantined for observation for a period of not less than ten days by the animal control division or the Salt Lake County health department.

C.

Other arrangements, including confinement by an owner, may be made by the supervisor if the animal had a current rabies vaccination at the time the bite was inflicted, or in the event of other special circumstances justifying an exception. The person who has custody of an animal under quarantine shall immediately notify animal services if the animal shows any signs of sickness or abnormal behavior, or if the animal escapes confinement. It is unlawful to prevent an animal control officer from inspecting or examining the animal during the period of quarantine.

D.

If an animal dies within ten days from the date of the bite, the person having custody shall immediately notify the supervisor or immediately remove and deliver the head of the animal to the state health laboratory to be examined for rabies.

E.

If, at the end of the ten-day quarantine period, the supervisor finds no sign of rabies, then the animal may be returned to the owner, removed, or destroyed in accordance with the other provisions of this title.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.140 - Disposition of unvaccinated bitten animals.#

A.

If an unvaccinated animal species subject to rabies is bitten by a known rabid animal, then the exposed animal should be immediately destroyed.

B.

If the owner of an unvaccinated animal is unwilling to destroy the bitten or exposed animal, the animal shall be immediately isolated and quarantined for sixty (60) days under veterinary supervision, the cost of such confinement to be paid in advance by the owner. The animal may only be released from quarantine at the conclusion of this period if, in the opinion of the veterinarian, the animal is not infected with rabies.

C.

The animal shall be destroyed if the owner does not comply with the provisions of this section.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.150 - Disposition of vaccinated bitten animals.#

A.

If a bitten or exposed animal has been vaccinated, the animal shall be re-vaccinated within twenty-four (24) hours and quarantined for a period of ten (10) days following re-vaccination.

B.

If the animal is not re-vaccinated within twenty-four (24) hours, the animal shall be isolated and quarantined under veterinary supervision for thirty (30) days. The animal may only be released from quarantine at the conclusion of this period if, in the opinion of the veterinarian, the animal is not infected with rabies.

C.

The animal shall be destroyed if the owner does not comply with this section.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)

6.20.160 - Removal of quarantined animal unlawful.#

Removing any animal from the place of quarantine without written permission of the supervisor is a class B misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 2015-04, 4-22-2015)