§ 6-1-7. Rabies control requirements for dogs over the age of four (4) months; waiver of vaccination fee.

(a)

Any dog over the age of four (4) months that is owned, harbored, kept, or sheltered within the City shall at all times be vaccinated against rabies, unless a written statement, renewable each year by a veterinarian is produced by the owner showing that the dog should not be vaccinated. Any owner or person harboring keeping, or sheltering a dog within the City shall have the duty, upon demand by the Animal Control Division or any authorized agent of the Animal Control Division, to produce proof of vaccination against rabies. A proof of vaccination against rabies shall consist of a written certificate or statement signed by a licensed veterinarian, and shall state the owner's name and address, a description of the dog, including the breed, sex, and age of the dog, the date of vaccination, the type of vaccine used, and the date re-vaccination is due. One (1) copy of such certificate or statement shall be forwarded by the veterinarian signing such document to the Animal Control Division in a manner as prescribed by the City.

(b)

The Animal Control Division shall vaccinate a dog, without payment of a fee, where:

(1)

The owner, as determined by the Animal Control Division, is an indigent person who is unable to pay; or

(2)

The owner presents proof of the current receipt of state or local public assistance; or

(3)

The owner's income consists entirely of benefits under the social security act, or the railroad retirement act, or veteran's benefits; provided, that this waiver of payment for a dog vaccination shall apply to only one (1) dog per residence.