[1]
Editor's Note: For state law as to rabid dogs, see Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.98. As to authority of City to adopt measures for control of rabies, see Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.100.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, hold or harbor any dog over four months of age within the City unless such dog shall have been properly vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. The vaccination may be carried out by the use of a modified live virus (Flury strain) within 24 months of the time of licensing. All vaccines used shall be of a type approved by the State Department of Health.
B. 
Any person transporting a dog into the City from some other jurisdiction shall be required to conform to the above regulation within 30 days from the day he brings such dog into the City if such dog is to be kept in the City or the county more than 30 days.
Vaccination tags shall be firmly attached to the dog's collar and shall be worn at all times when the dog is not on the owner's or custodian's property or in the immediate control of some responsible person.
Any dog found in the City not vaccinated and not wearing an authentic vaccination tag as provided for in § 115-27 of this chapter shall be impounded by the official charged with enforcing this article for a period of five days. The owner of any such dog may secure the release of his dog by producing proof of ownership and having such dog properly vaccinated and paying the costs of impounding and caring for any such dog. At the expiration of such five-day period, any dog not so claimed by its owner or custodian may be disposed of by giving it into the possession of any person who may be willing to pay for the cost of vaccination and impounding, and if not so disposed of, any such dog may be killed in a humane manner by the officer and/or holding facility enforcing this article.
In order to effectuate the provisions of this article, any person making application for a dog license under the provisions of Article III of this chapter shall be required to present to the official charged with the sale of dog licenses a certificate of rabies vaccination properly executed and signed by a licensed veterinarian certifying that the dog in question has been vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of this article, and when the dog license has been issued, the certificate of vaccination shall be so marked and returned to the applicant; provided, however, that if the Treasurer has been provided with information provided by the Animal Control Officer confirming that the rabies vaccination has not expired, then no such certificate shall be required.
All animal bites of human beings shall be reported to the Health Department and persons charged with enforcing articles of this chapter within 24 hours after their occurrence. Such report shall include the name and address of the person bitten, the owner of the biting animal, and a reasonable description of such animal. The responsibility of so reporting is mutually charged to attending physicians, veterinarians, owners of the biting animals, the person bitten, and any other persons who may have knowledge of this fact.
All animals biting or otherwise injuring human beings or animals shall be immediately placed under quarantine for a minimal period of 10 days. The area and conditions of quarantine shall be designated by the Health Director or his duly authorized deputy. When suitable quarantine cannot be maintained by the owner, the animal shall be removed to a suitable pound and there be quarantined at the expense of the owner. All animals bitten by rabid animals, or suspiciously rabid animals, shall either be destroyed or, if previously vaccinated in a manner satisfactory to the Health Director, may be held under quarantine for a minimal period of 45 days.
When in the judgment of the Health Director an emergency shall be deemed to exist in the City or any part of the county due to a widespread rabies epizootic, for the protection of the public, the Health Director may declare a quarantine in the City and restrict all dogs to the owners' premises and/or to the immediate custody of some responsible person for the duration of such emergency as is set forth in such order of quarantine.
The provisions of §§ 115-26 through 115-31 of this chapter shall be applicable to cats, except as follows:
A. 
Collars, licenses and vaccination tags need not be displayed on cats, but any cat found off the premises of the owner and not under the owner's immediate control shall be presumed an unvaccinated stray and in violation of this article.
B. 
Cats brought into the City from another jurisdiction for a period of not exceeding 30 days are exempt from this article, provided that such cats remain confined at all times.
C. 
The owner of a cat found off the owner's premises and not under the immediate control of the owner must display evidence of compliance with this article upon request of the Animal Control Officer or any law enforcement officer or health official.