Title
Amending Chapter 199 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code pertaining to rabies control.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL DOES ORDAIN:
SECTION 1
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Section 199.07 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 199.07. - Impoundment of dogs, cats and ferrets without valid rabies vaccination tags.
Any dog, cat or ferret found off the owner's premises and not wearing a valid rabies vaccination tag may be impounded. All impounded dogs, cats or ferrets shall be given proper care and maintenance. Impoundment of all animals shall be in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 200 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code. No dog, cat, or ferret may be released to an owner from the Saint Paul Animal Control Center without a valid rabies vaccination. Dogs, cats, or ferrets that were unvaccinated at the time of impoundment shall be vaccinated prior to release and the owner shall be charged with the cost of vaccination as provided in section 310.09(b) of the Legislative Code. Each dog, cat or ferret impounded pursuant to this section shall be kept at least five (5) days after the impoundment thereof, unless conditionally reclaimed by its owner as herein provided. Any dog, cat or ferret which is impounded pursuant to this section may be conditionally reclaimed by its owner by payment of the fees prescribed in Chapter 200 and by compliance with the rabies vaccination requirements of this chapter within seventy-two (72) hours of release. Upon claiming any dog, cat or ferret which has not previously been vaccinated, the owner shall deposit the sum of twenty-six dollars ($26.00) with the animal control supervisor, which deposit shall be refunded upon the owner filing proof that the dog, cat or ferret has been vaccinated within seventy-two (72) hours of release; otherwise the deposit shall be forfeited to the city. If the owner of a dog, cat or ferret impounded because of the absence of a valid rabies vaccination tag claims that his or her animal has been vaccinated, such owner may reclaim his or her dog, cat or ferret upon production of proof of vaccination, payment of all impounding fees, and proof of a valid rabies vaccination tag. If a dog, cat or ferret impounded pursuant to this section is unclaimed by its owner at the end of five (5) days, such animal may be disposed of in accordance with provisions of section 200.13 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code.
SECTION 2
Section 199.08 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 199.08. - Investigation.
(a) The rabies control authority, animal warden control officer or any police officer is authorized to enter any yard, whether or not enclosed, or any open kennel in which a dog, cat or ferret is kept or harbored for the purpose of determining whether such dog, cat or ferret is wearing a valid rabies vaccination tag.
(b) The rabies control authority, animal warden control officer or any police officer, having reasonable cause to believe a health hazard exists by virtue of an owner's noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter, is authorized to apply to the appropriate authority as otherwise permitted by law for a warrant empowering him to enter the dwelling, residence or place of abode of the owner of a dog, cat or ferret and to demand the exhibition by the owner of such dog, cat or ferret and/or rabies vaccination tag and/or rabies vaccination certificate.
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SECTION 3
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days following its passage, approval and publication.