§ 455.1. Short title.
§ 455.2. Findings.
§ 455.3. Legislative intent.
§ 455.4. Definitions.
§ 455.5. Statewide system for rabies control.
§ 455.6. Powers and duties of department.
§ 455.7. Testing.
§ 455.8. Vaccination required; certificate and tag.
§ 455.9. Antirabies clinics.
§ 455.9a. Veterinarians participating in low-cost rabies clinics.
§ 455.10. Powers and duties of department relating to wildlife.
§ 455.11. Penalty.
§ 455.12. Disposition of fines and penalties.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act.
(a) Incidence of rabies.-The incidence of rabies throughout this Commonwealth has increased over the past six years in alarming proportions. In 1985, 450 laboratory-confirmed rabies cases were reported in this Commonwealth, as compared to only 16 confirmed cases in 1979. Furthermore, the epidemic is spreading across the State. In 1981, only nine counties reported cases of rabies, whereas, in 1985, rabies cases were reported in almost half the counties of this Commonwealth.
(b) Impact of rabies epidemic.-The socioeconomic impact of the epidemic is frightening. Not only is the postexposure treatment costly, but the protocol surrounding a single suspected rabid animal requires the expenditure of both monetary and human resources.
It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide a comprehensive rabies control program involving research, prevention and education which will protect the citizens of this Commonwealth from an unnecessary and harmful rabies epidemic.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
The department, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Department of Health, shall establish a Statewide system for the prevention and control of rabies in both wild and domestic animals. The system will encompass both a comprehensive research program aimed at ending the rabies epidemic in the wild and a rabies control program which includes standardized procedures to follow in this Commonwealth.
The department shall have the following powers and duties:
All testing and other necessary or appropriate rabies control conducted upon rabid or suspected rabid animals appropriate to protect human life and safety shall be conducted free of charge at State laboratories or other facilities designated by the secretary.
(a) Requirement.-Every person living in this Commonwealth, owning or keeping a dog or cat over three months of age, shall cause that dog or cat to be vaccinated against rabies. Rabies vaccine shall be administered by a licensed veterinarian or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. The Commonwealth shall recognize the three-year rabies vaccine as the vaccine to be used. Those animals vaccinated after one year of age shall get booster vaccinations every three years thereafter. Those animals vaccinated prior to one year of age will be considered protected for only one year and shall receive a booster vaccination one year later on the anniversary date of the original vaccination and shall be vaccinated every three years thereafter.
(b) Other persons.-
(A) The name, type, lot number, date of purchase and date of administration of the rabies vaccine.
(B) A detailed description of the animal vaccinated.
(C) The name, address and telephone number of the person who administered the vaccine.
(c) Certificate and tag of vaccination.-Every licensed veterinarian who vaccinates a dog or cat against rabies shall issue a vaccination certificate and tag provided by the manufacturer to the owner. Information contained in rabies vaccination records shall not be used for the purpose of licensing animals or for taxation of individuals for owning animals. For the purposes of this section, each licensed veterinarian may select a vaccine of his choice and use the procedures for administering it as are consistent with the recommendations of the Federal agency which licenses the vaccine.
(d) Enforcement.-It shall be the duty of every police officer or State dog warden or the designated municipal animal control officer to issue a citation to every person who owns a dog or cat which is not vaccinated pursuant to subsection (a) or (b).
(e) Animals received by nonprofit kennels.-Notwithstanding any provision of this act, a nonprofit kennel is not required to vaccinate an animal received by the kennel for a period of ten days.
The department shall assist in the establishment of low-cost antirabies clinics. These clinics shall be offered at locations and on dates as appropriate. The department shall establish vaccination procedures for cats and dogs to be used at the clinics. In assisting in the establishment of antirabies clinics, the department shall cooperate with local veterinarians and other local organizations.
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A person who violates any provision of this act commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $300 for each violation. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
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