Information from the County Attorney's Office
By Steven J. Franzen, Campbell County Attorney
Due to the great deal of people who have dogs in the County, an article concerning State and local regulations about the keeping of dogs may be helpful.
State law requires every owner to have his dog vaccinated for rabies by the age of four (4) months and revaccinated one (1) year after the initial vaccination. After that, the period of time for revaccination is dependent on the type of vaccine and should be listed on the vaccination certificate from the veterinarian.
The veterinarian is required to give you a metal tag bearing a serial number and the year of expiration of the immunization which must be hooked to the dog’s collar. There is a possible penalty of $10 to $100 for violation of these provisions and each day is a separate violation.
In years past, dog owners were required to license their dogs through the State as well as through the County. However, since 2004, the State no longer requires a license tag for dogs. Peace officers, dog wardens or animal control officers may seize and impound any dog found running at large which does not bear a proper license tag or other legible identification. If the officer, after a diligent effort, is unable to seize the dog, then the officer is permitted to destroy the dog by any reasonable and humane means.
Kentucky law also provides that any person may kill or seize any dog which he sees in the act of pursuing or wounding any livestock, or wounding or killing poultry or attacking human beings, whether or not the dog bears a license tag. Also, any person who has been attacked by a dog may file a criminal complaint charging the owner or keeper of the dog with harboring a vicious dog. The penalty for harboring a vicious dog is a minimum fine of $50 and/or a minimum 10 days in jail even if this is the first time. Moreover, once a court declares a dog vicious, Kentucky law requires that the owner not allow the dog to run at large or appear in public except when visiting a veterinarian or being turned into the animal shelter. In any circumstance when the dog is in public, the dog must be muzzled. Lastly, once a dog is declared vicious, the owner must ensure the dog is confined to a locked enclosure at least 7 feet high or a locked kennel with a secured top.
If a person is bitten by a dog, cat, ferret or other animal, a treating physician is required to report the incident to the local Health Department within twelve (12) hours of providing treatment. The Health Department then has the authority to quarantine the animal for up to ten (10) days if the animal exhibits symptoms of rabies. In lieu of a quarantine, the Health Department may order the animal to be destroyed and then tested for rabies. Animal owners are prohibited from destroying or disposing of animals that have bitten humans. They are liable for any rabies treatment if the animal is destroyed or disposed of prior to rabies testing or quarantine.
I hope this information is interesting and helpful. If you have any topics you would like to have covered in this column, please contact my office by e-mail at CountyAttorney@CampbellCountyKY.org, by phone at 491-7700 or by regular mail addressed to 319 York Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071.