SUBSTITUTE ORDINANCE NO. BL2016-222

An ordinance to amend various sections of chapter 8.04 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws related to rabies vaccinations for dogs.

WHEREAS, Metro Code of Laws chapter 8.04 requires owners of dogs to vaccinate their pets for rabies; and

WHEREAS, Metro Code of Laws section 8.04.040(A) currently provides that all licenses issued for dog owners shall be valid for twelve (12) months and shall expire on the last day of the month issued of the following year, as authorized under Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 68-8-104 and 68-8-105; and

WHERAS, Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 68-8-102, 68-8-103 and 68-8-112 require that dogs and cats be administered rabies vaccinations meeting the standards prescribed by both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Department of Health at a minimum frequency recommended by the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control published by the Association of State Public Health Veterinarians. This Compendium currently provides, in Part II B, for rabies vaccines of a minimum of three (3) years’ duration of immunity – a duration regarded as providing the most effective method of increasing the proportion of immunized dogs and cats in any population; and

WHEREAS, the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control of the Association of State Public Health Veterinarians further provides that “[t]here are no laboratory or epidemiologic data to support the annual or biennial administration of 3-year vaccines after completion of the initial vaccine series (i.e., the initial vaccination and 1-year booster vaccination)”, and whereas the American Animal Hospital Association makes the same recommendation; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of the availability of a three-year vaccine, the current requirement for annual re-vaccinations for purposes of license renewal imposes unnecessary costs and inconvenience upon dog owners. A three-year immunity period should instead provide for renewal of licenses by mail in the second and third years of such vaccination.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Chapter 8.04 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence at the end of section 8.04.020 and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

“The certificate of vaccination shall clearly identify the date by which re-vaccination is required.”

Section 2. That Chapter 8.04 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting section 8.04.030 in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

“It shall be the duty of the veterinarian, duly licensed by the state board of veterinary medical examiners and approved by the board of health, to administer such a vaccination and to perform the vaccination in such a manner as meets applicable legal standards. These standards shall apply only to any vaccination clinics operated or sponsored by the department of health. The health department shall offer a low-cost rabies vaccine clinic or clinics at least annually. The availability of the clinic or clinics shall be publicized in a manner determined by the Director to be most effective in reaching the greatest number of pet owners in Davidson County."

Section 3. That Chapter 8.04 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting subsection 8.04.040(A) in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

“Any person owning, keeping or harboring on the premises where they reside, any dog six months of age or over, shall pay to the chief medical director a license fee in accordance with the current fee schedule established by Section 8.04.130(A). The fee shall be established by the board of health, and any adjustment thereof shall be authorized by passage of a resolution by the Council. Each tag issued shall be valid until the required revaccination date as specified on the certificate.”

Section 4. That Chapter 8.04 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting section 8.04.060 in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

It shall be the duty of the chief medical director to collect the license fees under this chapter. The director shall record the information specified under the Tennessee Code Annotated. Unless such certificate of vaccination is exhibited at the time request is made for a license, the chief medical director shall issue no license. On receipt of the payment of the license fee, the chief medical director shall issue to the person paying the same a receipt to be furnished by the metropolitan government, showing the name of the owner of the dog or kennel on which such license fee is paid, the date and amount of such payment, the license tag number issued for each dog and the date of vaccination of such dog, and shall deliver to the owner a license tag bearing the serial number and the year through which the license fee is paid.”

Section 5. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Ordinance to the Director of the Metro Public Health Department and to each member of the Board of Health.

Section 6. This Ordinance shall take effect on Jan. 1, 2017, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Erica Gilmore, Mina Johnson, Mike Freeman, Mary Carolyn Roberts, Sharon Hurt

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	May 3, 2016
Passed First Reading:	May 3, 2016
Referred to:	Health, Hospitals, and Social Services Committee
Deferred to July 5, 2016:	May 17, 2016
Substitute Introduced:	July 5, 2016
Passed Second Reading:	July 5, 2016
Passed Third Reading:	July 19, 2016
Approved:	July 20, 2016
By: