County adopts rabies law

The Churchill County Commissioners approved a rabies control program at their Tuesday morning meeting.

Ordinance 112, establish and enforces a rabies control program that will become effective Nov. 1.

Deputy District Attorney Joseph Sanford said Churchill County is required to enact a rabies control program governed by regulations adopted by the State Board of Health.

Sanford said the rabies control program requires all dogs, cats and ferrets in the county to be vaccinated against rabies. The county is also required to establish a rabies control authority.

“You would be giving the sheriff’s office the authority to issue citations to the owner of any dog, cat or ferret that is not vaccinated against rabies and other wise enforce the provisions of the rabies control program,” he said. “The proposed ordinance also develops a procedure for the quarantine and examination of animals that have bitten or scratched a human, or are otherwise suspected of having been exposed to rabies.”

Sanford clarified that deputies would not be searching for animals that aren’t vaccinated, however, if an incident occurs the Sheriff’s Office would be called to handle the situation accordingly.

To align Churchill County statues to the State Board of Health statues the rabies vaccine has to be administered by a license veterinarian, and the veterinarian must complete a certificate to state the vaccine was given.

The vaccine is required to be given to any cat or dog over the age of six months.

The rabies control program is set in place to promote public health and safety from the rabies virus.

Other items that were approved or discussed include the following:

Discussed an update from the Churchill County Public Administrator for the third quarter of 2015.

Approved Bill 2015-D, Ordinances 12. 24, 32 and 81 for a public hearing on Oct. 21.

Approved the Revised Infrastructure Development Plan that includes funding for acquisition, establishment, construction, expansion, improvement or equipping of facilities relating to public safety as provided in NRS 377B.1603.

Approved Bill 2015-F, Ordinance 98, an ordinance amending Chapter 13.06 of the Churchill County Code.

Approved PATH program lease with Rogne Realty for one year in the amount of $15,600.

Approved to participate in the Community Development Block Grant for 2017 and hold a second public hearing on Nov. 2.

Approved to become a named party in the Nevada Association of Counties’ lawsuit but under the advice of the district attorney.

Approved transfers by the Regional Transportation Commission.

Approved renewal of the license from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers in the amount of $338.75.

Approved Clint and Denise Felton application for a sending site and assign 31 transferable development rights to the property upon recordation of a conservation easement deed with no obligation on Churchill County or Naval Air Station Fallon.

Approved the Frey Ranch, LLC application for a sending site and assign 685 transferable development rights to the property upon recordation of a conservation easement deed with no obligation on Churchill County or Naval Air Station Fallon.

Approved CC Communications to install a building access management system at the County Administration Annex building.

Approved participation in E-Verify and sign the associated Memorandum of Understanding.

Discussed the Fund Balance Summary report.