RABIES LAWS-- Mississippi and South Carolina

[Kris L. Christi]

Based on several questions I've recently received, it appears that dog owners in South Carolina and Mississippi are under the mistaken impression that their animals are required to have annual rabies vaccinations. Links to the respective laws are below.

MISSISSIPPI Rabies Laws http://www.mbah.state.ms.us/disease_...abies_laws.htm

Dogs and Cats**
All dogs and cats shall be vaccinated against rabies at three months of age, revaccinated one year later and every three years thereafter, using a rabies vaccine approved as providing a 3-year immunity.

SOUTH CAROLINA Rabies Control Title 47 http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t47c005.htm

SECTION 47-5-60. Inoculation of pets; certificates and tags. A pet owner must have his pet inoculated against rabies at a frequency to provide continuous protection of the pet from rabies using a vaccine approved by the department and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Evidence of rabies inoculation is a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian.

[RagTyme Boxers]

I live in Mississippi and from what I understand the 3yr vaccine rule thingy is somewhat new. However, I wouldn't know how new as I have lived here but 6 months.

Still a horribly damaging Rabies routine though. Rabies should never be given before 6 months and there is absolutely no need to revaccinate at one year. Nor IMO is there a need to re-vaccinate every three years.