How do you feel about rabies vaccinations?

Posted by dogblog

Posted: July 6, 2009 - 12:24 pm

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I'd be interested in everyone's opinions on the rabies vaccination for dogs. Do you agree with state laws? If you were to recommend changes to the law, what would they be?

First, a few givens:

* They are required by Alaska law. Puppies must be vaccinnated by the time they reach 4 months. It is a one-year vaccination. When that time is up, they are required to get a booster every three years.

* There is no rabies in Anchorage. However, it does exist in Bush communities, often originating from foxes and spread to dogs. There is no law on the transportation of dogs in Alaska, so Bush dogs with rabies could, and have, been transported to Anchorage.

* If a dog bites someone, the first thing authorities look at is vaccinations. If it hasn't had its rabies shot, the dog can be euthanized.

That last point is really the deciding factor for me. While I think the chances of my dog getting rabies from any source is infinitely small, it is not out of the realm of possibility that one of my dogs could nip a human. It could happen to someone trying to break up a fight. It could happen if the dog was injured and felt threatened.

Even vets will tell you that rabies vaccinations are not 100 percent safe for all dogs. But the law is to protect humans, and there's no middle ground.

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