§ 4-13-31 - Compulsory rabies vaccination.
SECTION 4-13-31
§ 4-13-31 Compulsory rabies vaccination.– (a) For the purpose of preventing the introduction of rabies when rabiesappears in any nearby area and its appearance creates a threat of introductioninto Rhode Island, or for the suppression, or for the control of rabies, theboard shall make regulations requiring compulsory vaccination of dogs, cats,ferrets or any other domestic animal as deemed necessary against rabies in amanner specified by it in any area or areas within the state, which are deemednecessary to prevent that introduction, or for the purposes of suppression andcontrol.
(b) The board is authorized to engage any personnel withinthe department of health or department of environment to assist in carrying outany regulation which may be promulgated for the suppression and control ofrabies.
(c) Upon receipt of a written request from any city or towncouncil or the mayor of any town or city and with the consent and approval ofthe health officers of those towns and cities, the board shall establish incooperation with local and state health department authorities, public clinicsfor the vaccination of dogs, cats, and ferrets against rabies. Those clinicsshall be conducted in accordance with provisions and regulations proposed byand under the supervision of the board.
(d) Rabies vaccine for animals may be administered only by orunder the direct and specific supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
(e) Except as otherwise amended by board regulation, theowner or keeper of a dog, cat, or ferret shall have the animal vaccinated notearlier than three (3) months of age nor later than four (4) months of age andat regular intervals as prescribed by board regulations, but at no time toexceed recommendations made by the most current compendium of animal rabiescontrol.
(f) Any veterinarian or any person directed by a veterinarianwho vaccinates a dog, cat, or ferret against rabies must issue a rabiesvaccination certificate to the animal's owner. This certificate shall meet theminimum standards approved by the board, which include: the veterinarian'sname, the veterinarian's practice name, address and telephone number; the petowner's name and address, the pet's name, species, age coloration and sex; therabies vaccine manufacturer's name; the date of inoculation and the signatureof the doctor who administered or directed the administration of the rabiesvaccine. For dogs, cats, and ferrets, there shall be a record kept which liststhe number of the rabies tag issued in conjunction with the rabies vaccinationcertificate.
(g) No city or town may register or license a pet that is notvaccinated for rabies in accordance with this chapter. Proof of rabiesvaccination shall be a current, valid rabies certificate for any species.
(h) This chapter shall not apply to any dog or cat importedinto this state strictly for exhibition or breeding purposes, and which doesnot remain in this state for more than fifteen (15) days and which isaccompanied by a valid health certificate or certificate of veterinaryinspection.
(i) A person who fails to have or refuses to have each dog,cat, and/or ferret owned or kept by the person vaccinated against rabiesviolates the provisions of this chapter.