Regulating rabies vital to public health

The Flathead County commissioners appear to be heading in a new and better direction regarding rabies vaccinations for dogs.

Two weeks ago they bore the consternation of many local veterinarians when they unveiled proposed changes to a county animal-control ordinance that would eliminate a requirement for dogs to be vaccinated for rabies. Veterinarians lambasted the commissioners with biting letters, emails and phone calls, all with an underlying sentiment: This makes no sense.

County Health Administrator Joe Russell lamented the change, too, declaring he was losing an important public-health program.

Now the commissioners have a different plan, to turn over the rabies control program to the county Health Board, which would oversee an enforceable requirement for dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies. Russell said this approach makes sense by placing the oversight with the entity ultimately tasked with handling public-health issues.

We whole-heartedly agree with local veterinarians’ assertion that the rabies vaccination requirement be kept in place. It’s a no-brainer, especially since there have been six rabies cases confirmed in bats in Flathead County from 2008 to 2013, and 135 documented rabies infections in Montana during the same time frame.

The commissioners’ rationale for changing the county law in the first place — that county ordinances should align with state laws  — seems misguided. The idea was to handle this animal issue as a policy rather than an ordinance, and by doing so the county thought it could offer educational outreach about the importance of rabies vaccinations.

While the education of pet owners is a laudable goal, there are times, and this is one of them, where an enforceable law seems like the best route to take. Plus, don’t forget that the ultimate purpose of rabies vaccinations is to keep the deadly disease from infecting humans.

Flathead County Health Board member P. David Myerowitz, a medical doctor, has pointed out the incongruities in state law. The state of Montana requires dogs and cats entering the state to be vaccinated against rabies, yet there is no requirement for pets already in-state. Myerowitz also noted that the state Department of Livestock acknowledges there is no statewide vaccination requirement in Montana, but recommends cities and counties regulate their own rabies vaccination requirements.

Regardless of what happens at the state level, it’s prudent for Flathead County to continue regulating rabies vaccinations. If the Health Board is prepared to do the job, then let them do it.