44-8-408. Dogs not allowed at large  Exception — Penalties.

(a)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, “owner” means a person who, at the time of the offense, regularly harbors, keeps or exercises control over the dog, but does not include a person who, at the time of the offense, is temporarily harboring, keeping or exercising control over the dog.

(b)  The owner of a dog commits an offense if that dog goes uncontrolled by the owner upon the premises of another without the consent of the owner of the premises or other person authorized to give consent, or goes uncontrolled by the owner upon a highway, public road, street or any other place open to the public generally.

(c)  It is an exception to the application of this section that:

     (1)  The dog was on a hunt or chase;

     (2)  The dog was on the way to or from a hunt or chase;

     (3)  The dog was guarding or driving stock or on the way to guard or drive stock;

     (4)  The dog was being moved from one place to another by the owner of the dog;

     (5)  The dog is a police or military dog, the injury occurred during the course of the dog's official duties and the person injured was a party to, a participant in or suspected of being a party to or participant in the act or conduct that prompted the police or military to utilize the services of the dog;

     (6)  The violation of subsection (b) occurred while the injured person was on the private property of the dog's owner with the intent to engage in unlawful activity while on the property;

     (7)  The violation of subsection (b) occurred while the dog was protecting the dog's owner or other innocent party from attack by the injured person or an animal owned by the injured person;

     (8)  The violation of subsection (b) occurred while the dog was securely confined in a kennel, crate or other enclosure; or

     (9)  The violation of subsection (b) occurred as a result of the injured person disturbing, harassing, assaulting or otherwise provoking the dog.

(d)  The exception to the application of this section provided in subdivisions (c)(1)-(4) shall not apply unless the owner in violation of subsection (b) pays or tenders payment for all damages caused by the dog to the injured party within thirty (30) days of the damage being caused.

(e)  It is not a defense to prosecution for a violation of subsection (b) and punished pursuant to subdivision (g)(1), (g)(2) or (g)(3) that the dog owner exercised reasonable care in attempting to confine or control the dog.

(f)  It is an affirmative defense to prosecution for a violation of subsection (b) and punished pursuant to subdivision (g)(4) or (g)(5) that the dog owner exercised reasonable care in attempting to confine or control the dog.

(g)  (1)  A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by fine only.

     (2)  A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by fine only if the dog running at large causes damage to the property of another.

     (3)  A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by fine only if the dog running at large causes bodily injury, as defined by § 39-11-106, to another.

     (4)  A violation of this section is a Class E felony if the dog running at large causes serious bodily injury, as defined by § 39-11-106, to another.

     (5)  A violation of this section is a Class D felony if the dog running at large causes the death of another.

(h)  Notwithstanding subsection (g), a violation of this section shall be punished as provided in subsection (i) if the violation involves:

     (1)  A dog that was trained to fight, attack or kill or had been used to fight; or

     (2)  The owner of the dog violating this section knew of the dangerous nature of the dog and, prior to the violation of this section, the dog had bitten one (1) or more people that resulted in serious bodily injury or death.

(i)  A violation of this section, where one (1) or more of the factors set out in subsection (h) are present, shall be punished as follows:

     (1)  A Class C misdemeanor if the dog running at large does not cause property damage, injury or death;

     (2)  A Class A misdemeanor if the dog running at large causes damage to the property of another;

     (3)  A Class E felony if the dog running at large causes bodily injury to another;

     (4)  A Class D felony if the dog running at large causes serious bodily injury to another; and

     (5)  A Class C felony if the dog running at large causes the death of another.

68-8-103. Vaccination of animals  Certificate and tags — Frequency.

(a)  It is unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor any dog or cat six (6) months of age or older that has not been vaccinated against rabies as required by this chapter, or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.

(b)  Dogs and cats may be vaccinated as early as three (3) months of age or at an age as specified by the vaccine's United States department of agriculture (USDA) license, but will be considered as noncompliant with this section if over six (6) months of age.

(c)  Ferrets, certain livestock, hybrid animals and other animals may be vaccinated for rabies if a vaccine is legally available for that species. Routine rabies vaccination of animals other than dogs or cats is not required unless deemed necessary by the commissioner or by emergency rules of the department.

(d)  All rabies vaccinations of dogs and cats as required by this chapter shall be administered only by or under the supervision of a veterinarian.

(e)  Evidence of such vaccination shall consist of a certificate that contains the owner's name and address, date of vaccination, date the dog or cat should be revaccinated, description and sex of the dog or cat vaccinated, number of the vaccination tag issued when applicable, manufacturer and lot number of vaccine administered, and the name and signature of the supervising veterinarian. If the vaccination is given at an animal control facility or shelter, then the certificate shall contain the name and signature of the person administering the vaccine as well as that of the supervising veterinarian.

(f)  The vaccination certificate shall be prepared in one (1) of the following manners, unless otherwise provided for by rule:

     (1)  Paper forms in triplicate; the original shall be given to the owner, the first copy provided to and retained by the department, and the veterinarian administering or supervising the administration of the vaccine shall retain the second copy; or

     (2)  Computer printout or electronic format, such that the owner, the department and the veterinarian administering the vaccine obtain a copy of the information provided for in subsection (e).

(g)  The rabies certificate form and rabies tags shall be provided by the department.

(h)  A licensed veterinarian may provide and use an alternative tag and certificate providing that the requirements in subsections (e) and (f) are met.

(i)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to require more frequent rabies vaccinations or a greater number of rabies vaccinations than are required by the rabies compendium.

Acts 2004, ch. 765, § 1.