1. An owner of a dog, cat, or ferret shall have it vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated following veterinary and vaccine manufacturer instructions. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any owner or custodian of said dog, cat or ferret to knowingly, recklessly or willingly fail to vaccinate for rabies. The range of civil penalties for the first and subsequent violations of this section shall be assessed as set forth in VMC 8.24.250(3)(B). This requirement does not apply to animal shelters. A veterinarian performing a rabies vaccination of any dog or cat must transmit a copy of the vaccination certificate or written documentation that includes the owner and pet information contained on the certificate to Clark County Animal Protection and Control within 60 days. In the alternative, a veterinarian may issue a pet license in accordance with the rules adopted by the Clark County Animal Protection and Control, and submit proof of licensure to the manager within 60 days.

2. In the event that any animal has bitten a human being, the designated animal control agent may order quarantine of such animal for a period of 10 to 14 days. In the event that the agent has reason to suspect that an animal is rabid, the appropriate officials of the Washington State Department of Health and Clark County Department of Health shall be notified and the designated animal control agent shall coordinate any further activities with the agencies which have jurisdiction over rabies prevention and control. The provisions of Chapter 246-100 WAC, together with amendments thereto, are incorporated in this chapter by reference and prevail over any conflicting provision of this chapter in any suspected rabies matter.

3. “Quarantine” means the keeping of a biting animal or the suspected biting animal separate and apart from other animals and people for a period of 10 to 14 days. The animal must not be kept in any area that is accessible to other animals or persons, but may be kept indoors, caged or confined in a completely fenced yard by a chain or secure harness device. Should the order of quarantine be broken, the animal may be impounded and held by a designated custodian of animals at owner and/or custodian expense for the remainder of the quarantine period. Redemption is subject to payment of any fees allowable under this chapter. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any owner or custodian to whom an order of quarantine is issued to knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence permit the order of quarantine to be broken. (Ord. M-4418 § 2(a)(ii), 2023; Ord. M-4072 § 4, 2014; Ord. M-4043 § 11, 2013; Ord. M-2656 § 20, 1986; Ord. M-2397 § 56, 1983)