THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, ORIE, M. WHITE AND ALLOWAY, AUGUST 24, 2010

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, AUGUST 24, 2010  

AN ACT

Amending the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1610, No.181),

entitled "An act providing for the establishment and

operation of a Statewide system for the prevention and

control of rabies; imposing additional powers and duties on

the Departments of Agriculture and Health; providing for

emergency declarations; fixing penalties for violations; and

making an appropriation," further providing for vaccination

required.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 8(a) and (d) of the act of December 15,

1986 (P.L.1610, No.181), known as the Rabies Prevention and

Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act, amended July 1,

1987 (P.L.184, No.23), are amended and the section is amended by

adding a subsection to read:

Section 8.  Vaccination required; certificate [and], tag and

exemption.

(a)  Requirement.--[Every] Except as provided for in

subsection (f), 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.

* * *

(d)  Enforcement.--[It shall be the duty of every] Every 

police officer or State dog warden or the designated municipal

animal control officer [to] shall issue a citation to every

person who owns a dog or cat which is not vaccinated pursuant to

subsection (a) [or], (b) or (f).

* * *

(f)  Exemption.--

(1)  An exemption from vaccination against rabies for a

dog or cat pursuant to subsection (a) may be granted if a

licensed veterinarian has examined the animal and determines

that it would be medically contraindicated to vaccinate the

animal due to an infirmity, other physical condition or

regimen of therapy.

(2)  The department shall develop an exemption form which

must be completed and signed by the veterinarian and animal

owner.

(3)  A rabies vaccination exemption shall be valid for a

period of up to one year after which the animal shall be re-

examined. At that time the animal shall either be vaccinated

against rabies or, if exemption status still applies, a new

certificate of exemption shall be issued.

(4)  The veterinarian shall maintain the signed exemption

as part of the animal's medical records and provide a copy to

the owner.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.