§ 6-19. Immunization.

(a)

It is unlawful for any person to own or keep any dog, cat, or ferret in the city unless the animal has a current vaccination for rabies.

(b)

It is unlawful for any person to own or keep any dog, cat, or ferret in the city unless the animal wears a current rabies vaccination tag fastened securely to a harness or collar worn by the animal at all times that the animal is outdoors.

(c)

It is unlawful for any veterinarian to vaccinate an animal for rabies without supplying the owner or harborer of the animal with a vaccination tag that has stamped on it the veterinarian's name and the vaccination certificate number and the dates that the vaccination is valid.

(d)

It is unlawful for any veterinarian to vaccinate an animal without supplying the owner or harborer of the animal with a vaccination certificate which shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:

(1)

Name, address, and telephone number of the owner or harborer;

(2)

Veterinarian's name, address, and telephone number;

(3)

Animal identification, including species, sex, age, approximate weight, predominant breed (if ascertainable), and color;

(4)

Vaccine used (including whether it is a one-year or three-year vaccine), manufacturer, expiration date, and lot or serial number;

(5)

Rabies tag number; and

(6)

Microchip number (if applicable).

(e)

It is an affirmative defense to this section that:

(1)

The animal is under four (4) months of age; or

(2)

The animal is unable to be vaccinated due to health reasons as verified by a veterinarian licensed to practice in Texas.

(Ord. No. 8597, § 1, 1-26-06; Ord. No. 8863, § 5, 9-20-07)

State law reference

Rabies Control Act of 1981, V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code ch. 826.