H. B. 4504
(By Delegates Kessler (By Request), Burdiss,
Moye, Rodighiero, Sumner and C. Miller)
[Introduced February 12, 2008; referred to the
Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the
Judiciary.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §19-20A-2 and §19-20A-5 of the Code of
West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to requiring the
administration of rabies vaccination extended to a three year
period.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §19-20A-2 and §19-20A-5 of the Code of West Virginia,
1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 20A. VACCINATION OF DOGS AND CATS FOR RABIES.
§19-20A-2. Vaccination of dogs and cats.
Whoever owns, keeps or harbors a dog or cat within the
boundaries of any county in the State of West Virginia shall, on or
before the first day of June, one thousand nine hundred
eighty-seven, have such dog or cat properly vaccinated or immunized
against rabies with a vaccine capable of producing immunity for
two three years and shall every
second third year thereafter have such
dog or cat revaccinated with a vaccine capable of producing
immunity for
two three years. After the first day of June, one
thousand nine hundred eighty-seven, whoever obtains an unvaccinated
dog or cat shall at once have such dog or cat properly vaccinated
against rabies with a vaccine capable of producing immunity for
two
three years and shall have such vaccination repeated every
second
third year with a vaccine capable of producing immunity for
two
three years:
Provided, That dogs and cats need not be vaccinated
before the age of three months, but must be vaccinated by the age
of six months:
Provided, however, That dogs and cats entering the
State of West Virginia temporarily cannot be kept and maintained
within the State of West Virginia for a period of more than thirty
days unless properly vaccinated. Anyone owning a dog or cat can
have them vaccinated by any veterinarian or person working with or
under such veterinarian, or if there be no resident veterinarian in
the county, by such other qualified person as may be appointed by
the county commission, who shall work under the supervision of the
county health department.
§19-20A-5. Type of vaccine to be furnished; fee.
It shall be the duty of the veterinarian, or person
vaccinating each animal to furnish vaccine of a type capable of
establishing and maintaining immunity for a period of not less than
twenty-four thirty-six months and he or she shall charge and collect a fee of not more than eight dollars for each animal
vaccinated, if done at a clinic established by a county commission
or, if vaccinated at any other place, he or she shall charge and
collect a reasonable fee for his or her services.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to extend the required
period between rabies vaccination for dogs and cats to three years.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.