By state law, dogs and cats are required to be vaccinated against rabies. Rabies has been an epidemic since 1991, Officer Blake said. Dogs must wear rabies tags, and legislation is pending for cats to wear such tags. Dr. Montrose advises that, in addition to rabies, dogs and cats should be vaccinated against Lyme disease and distemper. Cats, he said, should be vaccinated to prevent feline leukemia also.
State law requires a dog to be registered in the town clerk's office of the town where it is kept.
A dog must wear both license and rabies tags on its collar or harness. Alice Ann Salerno, dog control officer in Lewisboro, N.Y., said the town has a law against roaming dogs. The dog cannot be running loose and should be either on a leash or commanded by voice, she said. Under New York state law, dogs must wear rabies tags. She said there are no laws for cats, but advised that they should be vaccinated for rabies and wear identification tags as well.