Rabies Control

Dog or cat owners must have the animal vaccinated against rabies when the animal reaches three months of age and re-vaccinated at one year of age, and annually thereafter. It is unlawful to harbor a dog or cat that has not been currently vaccinated against rabies.

Tags

Metal rabies tags bearing the vaccination certificate number, year of issuance, name and address of the issuing veterinarian must be attached to the collar or harness of dogs and cats and must be worn by the animals at all times.

Exposure to Rabies

Animals known to have been, or suspected of being, exposed to rabies must be immediately reported to animal control. Currently vaccinated animals must be re-vaccinated immediately and confined, according to the method prescribed by the City, for not less than 90 days. Animals not having a current vaccination may be humanely destroyed.

If the owner chooses, at his/her expense and in a manner prescribed by the city, confine the animal. The animal must be:

• vaccinated immediately following exposure
• quarantined for not less than six months
• re-vaccinated one month prior to release from quarantine

Quarantine

The owner of a dog or cat which has bitten a human must produce the animal for 10 days’ confinement at the owner’s expense. The observation period will begin on the day of the bite incident. The animal must be placed in Animal Control facilities, if available. It is unlawful for any person to interrupt the 10-day observation period.

Wild Animals

Wild animals will not be placed in quarantine. Any wild animal involved in biting incidents will be humanely destroyed and the brain submitted to a Texas Department of Health certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.