§ 14-4. Rabies vaccination and tag required.

(a)

No person shall own, keep or harbor any dog or cat within the city unless such animal is vaccinated against rabies.

(b)

All dogs and cats over four months of age within the city shall be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, who will issue to the owner a durable metal tag and a certificate of vaccination. A dog or cat less than four months of age shall not be required to be vaccinated as is otherwise required herein, but such animal must be confined to its owner's premises until it has been vaccinated.

(c)

An approved rabies vaccination tag must be attached to the collar or harness of all dogs and cats harbored within the city and must be worn at all times. Tags are not transferable from one animal to another. For purposes of this chapter, an animal is harbored if it is fed and/or sheltered for three or more consecutive days by a person.

(d)

All animals required to be vaccinated under this section shall be vaccinated only by a licensed veterinarian using rabies vaccine approved by the applicable state agencies. An owner or person having charge of such animal may request a three-year vaccination be administered. In the judgment of the veterinarian, the animal may be vaccinated with a one-year or three-year vaccine. The rabies vaccination certificate issued by the veterinarian must state the expiration date of the vaccination period. The rabies tag must reflect the expiration year certified by the veterinarian.

(e)

An owner reclaiming an animal four months of age or older from the Clayton County pound shall present proof of a current rabies vaccination at the time of reclaim.

(Ord. No. 20-2010, § 1(Exh. A), 12-28-10)