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Home » US Law » 2022 West Virginia Code » Chapter 19. Agriculture » Article 20A. Vaccination of Dogs and Cats for Rabies

§19-20A-1. Purpose and Policy

The purpose of this article is to establish a rabies vaccination procedure for dogs and cats and to check the spread of rabies for the immediate preservation of life, health and safety for the reason that rabies is spreading among dogs and cats, and becoming a menace and danger to people, livestock, poultry and game, […]

§19-20A-2. Vaccination of Dogs and Cats

(a) A person who owns, obtains or possesses a dog or cat within the State of West Virginia shall have the dog or cat properly vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine capable of producing immunity for three years, boostered one year after initial vaccination and every third year thereafter. Dogs and cats need not be […]

§19-20A-3. Vaccination Record and Report

Whoever vaccinates or revaccinates a dog or cat against rabies shall keep a record of such vaccination or revaccination, and on or before the first day of each calendar month thereafter, shall mail to or deliver to the county clerk of the county where the vaccination takes place a report of such vaccination or revaccination […]

§19-20A-4. Vaccination Tag and Certificate

Each person vaccinating a dog or cat for rabies shall provide a "certificate of rabies vaccination" which shall contain the following information: (a) Name of the county where the owner of the animal resides; (b) Vaccination tag number; (c) Identification of the animal by color, weight, breed, age and sex; (d) Name, address and telephone […]

§19-20A-5. Type of Vaccine to Be Furnished; Fee

It is 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 thirty-six months and he or she shall charge and collect a fee of not more than $8 for each animal vaccinated, if done at […]

§19-20A-6. Offenses and Penalties

Whoever owns, keeps or harbors a dog or cat and fails to have such dog or cat vaccinated or revaccinated against rabies, and whoever vaccinates a dog or cat against rabies and fails or refuses to keep and report the required record of such vaccination, or fails or refuses to provide the required tag, or […]

§19-20A-7. Enforcement of Article

The enforcement of the provisions of this article is in the hands of the sheriff of each county, any of his or her deputies, constables, natural resources police officers, and, if considered necessary, there shall be a special officer to be appointed by the county commission, who is authorized, empowered, and directed to inspect rabies, […]

§19-20A-8. Vaccinated Dogs and Cats May Run at Large; Confinement May Be Required by the Commissioner of Agriculture Within the Limits of Any Quarantine Area or Locality; and Ordinances or Rules May Be Promulgated by Any County Commission or Municipality Relating to the Control and Management of Dogs Within the County; Providing Limited Exemption for Hunting and Farm Dogs From County Commission or Municipality Action

Dogs or cats vaccinated in compliance with the provisions of this article may run at large in any area or locality: Provided, That the commissioner of agriculture may, pursuant to article nine of this chapter, exercise his discretion to establish a quarantined area or locality and to require all dogs and cats within the limits […]