Domestic animals with no proof of rabies legitimate vaccine (in states where it is required by law) can be put down without even the owner knowing. That is why they tell you to always keep your rabies tag on your dog , or current rabies info on a micro chip/Home Again type service.

But the chances of this happening? I personally don't keep rabies tags on my dogs, they would be lost in a matter of hours! I do however have the rabies certificate readily available if needed.

My pet dogs get the Puppy 5-way or 7-way (usually 3 or 4 shots) and that's it for life. My dogs are exposed to tons of dogs. I have seen way to many unfit dog owners who would not recognize if their dog was ill and take necessary precautions to care for their dog until is well enough to expose to the general publics dogs.