Get those dogs vaccinated
Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
If you own a dog, get ready to bite the bullet. Beginning this month, the city is requiring all dog owners to have their four-legged friends licensed.
Some of you probably think this is another form of Big Brother having too much power, and government should stay out of your home.
But, if you step back a moment and look at what the city is trying to do, you might have another opinion.
This isn't just another way for the city to raise money at your expense.
In order to receive a license - which is required to be renewed annually - the dog in question, or at least his or her owners, must provide proof of rabies immunization.
This is a great way for the local government to make sure dogs in the neighborhoods and those humans who live among them are protected from this deadly disease.
Because of the rural nature of the city, there are all sorts of wildlife creeping and crawling around at all hours of the day and night. Some of these, in particular skunks, foxes and raccoons, can and do carry the rabies virus.
If you are like many of your neighbors who let their dogs outside several times throughout the day, you are running a risk that they will come in contact with one of these critters. If a fight ensues, and your animal is bitten or scratched, without the rabies vaccine there is a distinct possibility it will become ill and die.
Should your beloved pet become infected with the disease, it could even pass the virus along to you or another family member.
And remember, it can be fatal.
Rabies shots are not that expensive, especially when one considers what they can prevent and what the alternative might be.
So, won't you spend a few bucks to ensure the health of your dog ?
Call your veterinarian today. Make an appointment to have your dog vaccinated or its shot updated.
You have until the end of the month to get this done. After that, it might cost you even more money if your dog is picked up and found to be without his or her license, which, by the way, is only $ 10 and available at city hall in Town Center East.
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