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TR-92-61 TP,-92-61 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ENACTMENT (� , OF HOUSE BILL NO. 5610, AN ACT REQUIRING THE VACCINATION OF CATS ' Sponsor : Councillor James D. 'Taylor WHEREAS : Rabies is a disease caused by a virus usually transmitted by a bite, scratch or contact with an infected animal ' s saliva; and WHEREAS : The risk of rabies is now rising because an outbreak carried by raccoons has been progressing north toward Massachusetts; and WHEREAS : Animals in the wild that most commonly carry rabies are raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats; and «- WHEREAS : These animals can transmit rabies to pets, including cats and dogs, and humans; and WHEREAS : There has been no requirement of law to vaccinate cats against rabies; and WHEREAS : The Massachusetts General Court is considering House Bill No . 5610, An Act Requiring the Vaccination of Cats; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Agawam, Massachusetts City Council respectfully urges the state senate, and the ' governor to approve House Bill No . 5610 which was passed in the state house of representatives on June 22, 1992 . DATED THIS NINTH DAY OF NOVEMBER , 1992. IPER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL Joanne H . Willis, President C�, (!Y 1�. _ • v6�, - APPROV ' O FOR AND LEGALITY T mas S . Locke, Solicitor `' -- • MAYORAL ACTION Received this MATH day of NOVEMBER 1992 ' from Town Council Cleric. APPROVAL OF LEGISLATION By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3. Section 3- 6 of the Agawam Charter. as amended. I hereby approve the i passage of the above legislation on this NINTH day i of NOVEMBER 1992 . ristophe C . J son. Mayor VISAPPROVAL OF LEGISLATION By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3- 6 of the Agawam Charter, as amended, I hereby veto the passage of the above legislation on this day of 1992 for the following reason( s ) : Christopher C. Johnson, Mayor RETURN OF LEGISLATION TO COUNCIL CLERK Retu ned to Council Clerk this NINTH day of WEMBER 1992 ' /m r HOUSE . . . . . . . No. 5610 Zbt CantmtmtDtafib of j*a5 sa. busett H-L OF REPRESENTATIVES. May 11. 1992. The .---,mince cr: Counties. to whom were referred so much of the r:s o e Department of Public Health (House. No. :-6) as dates :a reouirine rabies inoculation of cats i•accomoanied by bill. House, No. 181), and on the petition kaccampanied b% biil, House. No. 2953) of diary Jane McKenna "��.:�'�- relative to vaccinations of does and cats for rabies, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House. No. 56'10), ought to pass. For the committee. SHAH Oti P. O`SRIE\. _. :'`_`r."��y•: ' I - •fir.— —;;:�.'a• _�� '• t _- - t -•,- -_yr��- -:rr mil,_' 1.• *15-11SRM FI!N-0.�-I.--~1- • _� _- ,•1�f.�1.�-=Y'�i:�ii,. .fix ,.1��Y�v 4r.•... - HOUSE — No. �610 [eta} Z�ht Cammonmtairh a( f0assarhusttts .-. __. 07.: ...-_San.. N.-- -.:n,27ZC and N::ICLV- IAO, :e).nj:e ara H,7::_e c,T n'2nreseniatiti es to General -.;a. _.. . ? au:' `-,r :r:e SQtTt£. Q5f011otit5. -- - -- .-J ..mendea r� s:,:k:ne out section i45$ and a,:. .n-,r2c: nzrx" s.':tlon: -- _ ,z13, Di t- Coe _nd .:3:T,., the Commonweaith ol =Y�` . ... -s ;:x w: r:o: s azc er older shall be vaccinated ^:: .__:es �y a .:cc-sed v eter::iarian using a licensed vaccine 6 ac.cr din g :o the manuiacturer's directions. and shall be " reti accinated at inten,ais recommended by the manufacturer. - _ s Uav-acc:nated does and cats acquired or moved into the 9 Co.-nmenweaith shall be vaccinated within ninety days after the - I n, nose .. ,0 Y1rC..a� or arm•al or upon reaching the age of six months, It - 11 shall be tie duty of each veterinarian. at the time of vaccinating l� any' : oz or cat, to compiete a certificate of rabies vaccination _ 13 v Rica shall inciuder but not be limited to the following '= c; 14 intor.:.ation: rti l� .he owner's name and address: lb _. a d-scriotion of the animal. including breed, sex, age, name _ 17 and dist;ncti%e markings; 1 1S =. the date of vaccination: - '.=� . 19 4. the rabies vaccination tag number: = _ _05. the type of rabies vaccine used: __ .. Z1 6. the route of vaccination; _ 7. the expiration date of the vaccine; and 23 S. the vaccine lot number. - - 24 The veterinarian shall issue a tag with each certificate of 23 vaccination. The tag should be secured by the owner to a collar ..`_ . V' 26 or harness made of leather or other suitable material to be worn 27 by the doe or cat. Owners of cats may choose not to affix a tag 1 28 to their cat, but must have the tag available for inspection by dog 1_9 officers or inspectors. In the event that a tag is lost, the owner - _.tea.+��•-•1 -- =Z-�rn�4�f:31�e ,1 tea' ' 19921 HOUSE — No. -4610 3 ' c- ..cer or :r:e animai shall, upon presentation of the original 1 certaicate, be issued a rivw tag. Digs! and cats must be accompanied by proof of current _3 acc:na:,.on against rabies order to be accented at animal �- ;s. ,.:e:.narians' offices or establishments for boarding. - 1 Dogs -.d cats t�'ithout 5uC[ p:ooi ;hall be immunized against �5 rao..s :!-aor to being discharged. if the animal's medical condition vpim 'tole a KUlMnt HAS H en Printed OA 100T6 ReCrded Payer. , • - - _- - r-- :„�k'i :v"`+ - wi ,� �.ti,� .=:ice w ..6 JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE. in., name and address of the licensee: (2) said licensee _nai; m2aatain a boai: %4n= shad contain the keg band number, :.e name. address. date of birth. motor vehicle operator license ' i n mbe- and state in winch was issued. of the purchaser of a keg �f bee—a:-. or malt beverage. Said book shall at all times be kept a the ;:censea premises and be considered confidential except for :::s_vect:an by the local police ceoartment or licensing board of the Comm scion:r 3) a mandator~- deposit on the sale of each ices in the I oun, of fifty dollars. Such deposit shall be redeemed be the - ' 7urc;-aser onic when s4c keg is returned to the licensee with the :or:ec",; numbercd band :�roaeriv attached thereon. The licensee _::ail not be required to re!urn said deposit to the purchaser after cays from the date of the purchase: prodded. however. that �a.c rcenste shall retail teen dollars from said deposit and shall :o*w•ard the remaining fern dollars to the General Fund."; and by _. KIM.ne out section 3• — were adopted. t The bi e ll i,House• No. 2994, amended) then was ordered to a third eadi,i g. r' Dw.aid The House Bill relative to the vaccination of dogs and cats against _ rabies (House. No. 5610) (its title having been clanged by the _ committee on Bills in the Third Reading), reported by said committee to be correctly drawn, was read a third time. ! Pending the question on passing the bill to be engrossed, Mrs. McKenna of Holden moved that it be amended by adding at the �= �= end thereof the following two paragraphs: ' r "Tbe provisions of this section shall not apply to dogs or cats housed in a research institution. Whoever violates the provisions of-this section shall be punished by a tine of not-mow� fiftytdol<la1a. The amendment was adopted: and the bill (House, :�'o. 5610, amended) was passed to be engrossed. Sent to the Senate for concurrence. • _ -.. ��-„.}(tip W��A -y I ..,: -_ !teems. At twenty-ont minutes niter eleven o'clock A.M., on motion of f y fir. Cox of Lowell(Mrs- Menard of Somerset being in the Chair), the House recessed until the hour of one o'clock P.M.; and at that r_ time the House was called to order with the Speaker in the Chair. Quorum. fir. Peters of Charlton then asked for a count of the House to .' ascertain if a quorum was present. The Speaker, having determined ;L:-.4:.:teN r•3 that a quorum was not in attendance, then directed the Sergeant- - at-:Arms td secure the 'resence of a quorum. Quorum,— Subsequently a roll call was taken for the purpose of ascertaining "'oar the presence of a quorum; and on the roll call 127 members were ,• recorded as being to attendance. •,. [See Yea and Nay No. 200 in Supplement.] ,_- �;, Therefore a quorum was present. nn e a:s,Oi�;-� - -- Ayljtws-prswr�.ia rrl! r � r r Ir rr lr ltr r� Ir lr lllllr lr lr r! w � r If someone you know has been bitten b an animal rc}r more inl'orrYiati{)Ir y The risk of cotllact: is Yotir kx;al board of Health Telephonc number is listed in phone hook RABIES n- Massach,lse11% Uepart111ent of Public I le,1i111 is expected to Division of r:pidemiology (617)522-370O Mt.421) .S r-Y Mass Socicty for Prever,tioll of _ Iadiusells Anyone who is bitten by a wild animal or a do- Cnlelty to Animals mestic animal they are not familiar with should (617)522-74(u) in Massachusetts immediately take precautions to prevent rabies. Ynr Massachusetts Veterinary Medical f Immediately wash the wound in warm soapy Association water,gently scrubbing the injured area for Execulivc Officc at least 10 minutes. (508)839-6155 • Get a description of the animal that bit the person. People should learn to identify the animals common in their area, such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats,oppossum,and others. After the wound has been washed thor- oughly,the person should immediately call their family doctor or a hospital emer- gency room. The bite should be reported to the focal animal control official and board of health. + If the person was bitter;by a wild animal that is still in the area,you should call the Do you know how to rp Utect local animal control officer for assistance. If the animal was someone's pet,you should try yourf family and,flurry.friends? to find out if the animal was vaccinated and who owned it. Produced by Mna�chuaelts Depsitment of Public Eleallh April 1992 +ri. FatZs about rabies i • Thing " y *an do to , help control rabies What to do if your t Rabies is a disease of the nervous system has been bitten caused by a virus usually trans- Vie best way to reduce your risk of rabies is to L mitted by a bite, scratch or protect your pets and to decrease your contact contact with all. infected tuii- with wild animals. 'These goals can be met by nlal's saliva. When an animal or following a few simple guidelines: person is infected by Ilse vines, lite di%ease spreads through the I lave your dogs and cats vaccinated. Obey nervous system to the brain. It will paralyze leash laws and report strays to the local :old kill lire infected person or animal if not clog officer. promptly Irrated. Don't Iced your pets outdoors-- it could Animals in the wild that nn»t commonly c:atry � �1 t'� attract wild animals and.strays. Never feed �" Try to determine what type of animal bit the dise;+sc arc raccciotts, skunks, loxes and wild animals, especially near your home. your pet. Put on gloves and wash your ani- bals. 'l,lac•sc;ulin►;als caul 11,111silail it to pets, in- - mal's wounds with warm soapy water for at cludinl,rats:nld(fogs, ;old to llunialls. Other 1• Kc.ep your dMance from wild animals, least lU minutes.Contact your veterinarian an ill aals,finch as birds, snake%,turtles and fish even it they sec;in tame. Never try it)keep � immediately. do liol carry l abies. wild animals as pets -- it's against the [awl Don't touch dead animals. If the animal that bit your pet was a possible stl iCt c:(rinrulti, il►c haling vacc ittatioll of Cats rabies carrier and your pet is up-to-date on its and dog% alld (Ile lllap(rtanding ell strays, has Rc.�(lucc.� your home's appeal rabies vaccination, your pet will need to be ie%ultctl in a drastic:decteasr of rabies ease%. In _ confined for observation. If it exhibits signs the Bally 0SOS, thee: Was an aVelage of 5,000 Of rabies, it will be put to sleep so its brain cases of rabies in desks acid ru•at ly 21)cases in ru lnslall a chinuley cup to prevent raccoon% can be tested in a laboratory. hulll:uls each year in lice I lniled slates. Ili Ihr- and (ether anitn;als from living inside your 6r 1�11411s, ail avt•r.+ �c of 2.00 labirl der s and cuts tonne:. • the best way to prevent rabies l 13 Remember. and I to 1 cw;eti ill Illnrl;tlls with tallies welt: is to have your pets vaccinatedl arlaaaase•�I:tnnu:tEly. �'��"f Steal alcas artnmd Your hou%c that a ni+n:als naay Ilse as a dt:+l. This includes under What if your pet has bitten Massac'huscus nod otl+c•t Nvw Fligl:and states poiches, crawl ~paces beneath your house, la:avt,~cease tiinaii;at ileac+e:asc•s. 11(rwt-vcr,the +isle ylrllr atlic and opening~ ill she(is and other someone? of sabiv% is now rising, lmcatlsr, ails outlncak otlt buildings. Make sure tlninlal.S have left Notify your local animal control official and caasird by laccuunti leas hcc:n post,+(asinl, I urore yt+,l st`ail lip ate spacel your veterinarian. o(wh tuw:ud M;tstiacaauseus. Phis snakes it es -. luxially inq►ortmat lol people to v:ac:cillatc tlleir h"i %itc cte your g:+rhabe cans so they don't lr(as asul rdut:ac thr.ir l:unily alnutl :woitlinl, encases laceoo+as, skunks and stray~looking 1)oatit let it stray or give it away--it should Ice+ toad. be confined lit days for observation to make coilla+.l with wild :alairu:tls. sure it is not ill with rabies. �of qGq TOWN OF AGAWAM �• _ -� 36 MAIN STREET AGA�tANI, -MASS ACHUSETTS 01001 C% Tel. 413-786-0400 November 13, 1992 His Excellency William Weld State House Boston, MA 02133 Dear Governor }Weld: i please be advised that the Agawam Town Council during their regular meeting on Wednesday, November 4, 1992 unanimously approved the enclosed Resolutions TR-92-61 and 7R-91-63. Sincerely, It"M ' 0PCA' Ursula Retzler Clerk of the Council Enclosures cc: Mayor, with enclosures Town Clerk, with enclosures Council Members, with enclosures TOWN OF AGAWAM 36 MAIN STREET GA��'��, 1IASS CHUSETTS 01001 v fit+i � ,�� Tel. 413-7 86-0400 o�poRA TED em r Nov be 13, 1992 ' The Honorable Edward Kennedy ' United States Senate 362 Russell Senate Office Bldg. Washington , D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Kennedy: Please be advised that the Agawam Town Council during their regular meeting on Wednesday, November e, 1992 unanimously approved the enclosed Resolutions TR-92-61. and TR-92-63. Sincerely, Ursula Retzler Clerk of the Council Enclosures cc: Mayor, with enclosures Town Clerk, with enclosures Council Members, with enclosures TOWN OF AGAWAM i' 36 )IA1\ STREET AGANVAN1, N.IASSACHtrSETTS 01001 Tel. 413-7 86-0400 1 November 13, 1992 The Honorable John Kerry United States Senate 362 Russell Senate Office Bldg. ' Washington, D.C. 20510 ' Dear Senator Kerry: Please be advised that the Agawam Town Council during their regular ' council meeting on Wednesday, November 4, 1992 unanimously approved the enclosed Resolutions TR-92-61 and TR-92-63. Sincerely, Ursula Retzl er Clerk of the Council Enclosures cc: Mayor, with enclosures ' Town Clerk , with enclosures Council Members, with enclosures 1 1 1 109 &zL'e f 5ga"and X'R2U/l JbmY -e& Z&W " William F.weld / 021>1 ' Governor David P.Forsberg Secretary David H.MuNigan Cornmisaioner December 24, 1992 Ursula Retzier ' Clark, of the cou y--i1 Town Of Agawam 36 Main Street Agawam, Massachusetts 01001 1 Dear Ms. Retzler: ' I have been asked to respond to your recent letter to Governor Weld regarding the Agawam Town Gouncil's resolution on rabies. As you may know, the Governor recently signed a piece of legislation requiring cats to be vaccinated against rabies. I have enclosed a copy of the legislation for your records. ' If you have any questions or concerns, please do nat hesitate to contact my office. Thank you for taking the time to express your concerns on this important matter. tSincerely, _ 1 David H. Mulligan comissior= �s co 01 I H 5610 3' - Chapter T H E C O M M g N W E A L T H O F M R S S A C H U S E T T S In the Year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety--two AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE VACCINATION OF DOGS AND CATS AGAINST RABIES. �— Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Ceneral Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: Chapter 140 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out :section 145B, as appearing in the 1990 Official Edition, and inserting in 'place thereof the following section:- Section 145B. Whoever is the owner or keeper of a dog or cat in the com- monvealth six months of Age or older shall cause such dog or cat to be vacci- nested against rabies by a licensed veterinarian using a licensed vaccine ac- cording to the manufacturer's directions, and shall cause such dog or cat to .be revaccinated at intervals recommended by the manufacturer. Unvaccinated .dogs and cats acquired or moved into the commonwealth shall be vaccinated ' within ninety days after the acquisition or arrival into the commonwealth or `upon reaching the age of six months, whichever last occurs. It shall be the I duty of each veterinarian, at the time of vaccinating any dog or cat, to com- plete a certificate of rabies vaccination which shall include, but not be Jim- E ited to the following information: the owner's name and address; a descrip- tion of the animal, including breed, sex, age, name and distinctive markings; j , the date of vaccination; the rabies vaccination tag number; the type of rabies vaccine used; the route of vaccination; the expiration date of the vaccine; ;I and the vaccine lot number. The veterinarian shall issue a tag with each certificate of vaccination. r The tang shall be secured by the owner or keeper of such dog or cat to a collar I or harness made of suitable material to be worn by the dog or cat; provided, however, that the owner of a cat may choose not to affix a tag to his cat, but shall have the tag available for inspection by authocized persons. In the event that a tag is lost, the owner or keeper of the animal shall, upon pre- ! i sentation of the original vaccination certificate, be issued a new tag. in order for a dog or cat to be accepted at an animal hospital, i veterinarian's office or boarding facility an owner or keeper of such animal i+ i l l H s6zo 1 r shall show proof of current vaccination against rabies; provided however, that if a dog or cat has not been so vaccinated or such owner or keeper fails to show such proof the animal shall be vaccinated against rabies prior to being discharged if the animal's medical condition permits. ' The provisions of this section shall not apply to dogs or cats housed in a research institution. , ' Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a j fine of not more than fifty dollars. r House of Representatives, November I / . 1992. f i Passed to be enacted, . Speaker• f i In Senate, November ` r 1992. Passed to be enacted, l� President. 19 9 2. r Approved, !A), Go 1 I I f 1 i PU BLIC HEALTH Fables FACT SHEET Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 150 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111 What Is rabies? Rabies is a viral disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)that is almost always fatal. Rabies in humans is very rare in the U.S.,but rabies in animals—especially wildlife—is common in some parts of the country. How is rabies spread? The rabies virus lives in the saliva(spit)and other body fluids of infected animals and is spread when they bite or scratch. The virus can also be spread if one of these body fluids touches broken skin or a mucous mem- brane(in the mouth, nose or eyes). In caves crowded with bats,it is even possible(but extremely rare)to ' inhale the virus floating In the air. What kinds of animals spread rabies? ' The rabies virus can infect any mammal(if it has hair or fur,it's a mammal),but it is only common among cer- tain ones like bats,skunks,foxes and raccoons. Rabies is very rare among rodents like squirrels,rats,mice ' and chipmunks. Thanks to vaccines, rabies is extremely rare among pets and farm animals. OW common is animal rabies in Massachusetts? Rabies is fairly rare in this state. Testing at the State Rabies Laboratory finds less than a dozen rabid animals (almost always bats) per year. However, rabies is on the rise among raccoons in the mid-Atlantic and southern New England states. How can you tell if an animal Is rabid? Rabid animals usually behave strangely after the virus attacks their brain cells. Rabid animals often become aggressive,.hyperactive,and easily frightened,so they will attack people or other animals for no real reason. Not all rabid animals act this way,however,so you should avoid all wild animals—especially bats,skunks, foxes and raccoons. 1 What should you do if you think you have been exposed to rabies? If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal,or by a pet or farm animal that has been behaving oddly, 'follow these steps. 1. Wash the wound with soap and water right away for at least five minutes. 2. Call your focal board of health and your doctor,nurse or health center as soon as you finish washing. They will help you decide if you need to be treated for rabies. Follow their instructions to the letter. 3Wif Contact your local animal control officer to catch or find the animal that scratched or bit you. Your local oard of health can tell you how to get it tested by the State Rabies Lab. your pet has been bitten or scratched by an animal you think might be rabid,follow the same steps but tali your pet's veterinarian instead of your own doctor in step 2. 1l � F What Is the treatment for;.people exposed to rabies? People who have never had rabies shots are given six shots In the arm,one at a time over the course of a month. (Rabies shots are no longer given in the stomach muscles.) The first shot Is antibodies to fight the virus,and the rest are vaccine to ensure long-lasting protection.To work best,the shots should begin as soon after the bite or scratch as possible. However,If the animal has been caught and can be tested for rabies, some doctors wait until the test results come back to see if the shots are really needed. How can you prevent rabies? • Avoid wild animals,especially bats,skunks,foxes and raccoons. Avoid any animal—wild,farm or pet— that behaves oddly,and report It to your city or town's animal control officer. '. • Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies and that their shots are up to date. By law,all dogs must be vaccinated against rabies. Cats should also get rabies shots because they are hunters by nature and often have contact with animals at high risk for rabies. + Fasten trash can lids tightly. Garbage attracts animals(like skunks and raccoons)looking for an easy meal. Teach your children to afro€d wildlife,strays,and all other animals they don't know well. Do not let your children (or pets) roam freely In areas where wild animals live. • It is against state law to keep wild animals such as skunks,ferrets or raccoons as pets. There are no rabies ' vaccines for most wild species. • if you have bats living In your house,talk to a professional about bat-proofing your home. , • Do not handle dead,sick,or injured wild animals yourself;call the police or animal control officer. if you must handle the animal,use heavy gloves, sticks or other tools to avoid direct contact • if u are bitten or scratched b an unfamiliar animal do not t to guess if it Is rabid. Call your doctor and , you Y � try 9 local board of health for advice. • Animal control officers,veterinarians and their assistants,and others who have a lot of contact with strays or wildlife should think about getting routine rabies.vaccinations to protect themselves before they are exposed to the virus. Where can you get more information? Your doctor,nurse,or health center ' Your local board of health Listed In the telephone book under local government Massachusetts Department of Public Health , Division of Epidemiology (617) 522-3700, x420 or.x425 September 1991