Vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies.
Meridian Code of Ordinances § 6-21
in effectSec. 6-21. - Vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies.
(a) Required. Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of any dog or cat three (3) months of age or older within the city shall have that animal vaccinated against rabies with the approved dosage of an approved antirabic virus vaccine properly administered by one legally authorized to do so. It shall be unlawful for any person to own or have in his possession any dog or cat not so vaccinated. Every dog or cat must be vaccinated immediately upon attaining the age of three (3) months, and as required by the state board of health thereafter.
(b) Tag bearing vaccination serial numbers to be worn. The owner of any dog or cat shall see that the animal wears a securely braided metal tag with the serial number of the vaccination and the year in which the animal was inoculated stamped thereon and shall see that the collar and tag are worn by the animal at all times.
(c) Penalties for violations. The failure to comply with this section shall constitute a misdemeanor, and the offender shall, on conviction thereof, be fined five dollars ($5.00) for the first offense; twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the second offense; and fifty dollars ($50.00) for the third offense. It shall be the duty of the division of animal control to enforce said section.
(Ord. No. 3878, § 21, 8-7-90; Ord. No. 4112, 10-6-98; Ord. No. 4580, 10-3-23)
Source: City of Meridian, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/meridian/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH6ANFO_S6-21VADOCAAGRAFetched: 11/1/2026