(a) No person shall own, harbor or keep a dog or cat over the age of six months within the City, without first obtaining a license from the City Treasurer or the authorized agent of the City Treasurer. No person shall own, harbor or keep any other animal required by this chapter to be licensed without first obtaining a license within the time required by this chapter from the City Treasurer or authorized agent of the City Treasurer. The application for such license shall state the breed, sex, age, color and markings of such animal to be licensed, whether the animal is spayed or neutered, or whether the animal has a microchip, and the name, address, and telephone numbers of the owner, and any applicable alternate contact information. The application for a license under this section shall be accompanied by a valid authentic certificate of vaccination for rabies, where required, stating the name of the veterinarian who administered the inoculation to the animal, the date it was given, and the length of time during which such inoculation is effective.
(1) Exception. No dog or cat shall be exempt from the rabies vaccination requirement set forth in this chapter, unless:
A. There is a valid medical reason supplied in writing by a licensed veterinarian; or
B. A titre test is performed on the dog or cat that proves the animal’s titre is sufficient to adequately protect against the rabies virus. The veterinarian performing the titre test must put into writing the results of the test, which will be accompanied by a copy of the titre test results. The titre test must be done each year on the exempt dog or cat before a current license will be issued. If the exempt dog or cat’s titre is not sufficient to protect the dog or cat from the rabies virus the dog or cat will be required to have a rabies vaccination or be euthanized. All cost incurred under this section will be paid by the owner of the dog or cat.
(b) The license fee shall be as prescribed in the schedule provided for in Section 802.24 of the Business Regulation and Taxation Code and in conformance with this section. An application for an animal license, if for a dog or cat, is accompanied by written proof that dog or cat has been neutered or spayed shall result in a reduced license fee as prescribed in the above-mentioned schedule of fees. However, any waiver or reduction of the license fee as permitted by the schedule of fees or by this chapter shall not remove or abrogate the obligation of an owner to obtain a license for an animal in conformity with this chapter. Within seven days of an animal becoming six months of age the owner shall apply for a license.
(c) The license year for animals shall commence on the day a license is issued and expire upon whichever occurs first: (i) after 365 days for a one-year license, (ii) after 1095 days for a three-year license or (iii) upon the expiration of the rabies certificate of vaccination. License fees are not refundable. Applications for licenses shall be made within thirty days of acquiring a licensable animal. Applications to renew licenses shall be made not later than the license expiration date. Licenses issued under this Chapter are not transferable.
(d) There shall be no license fee for a dog used as a service animal as provided for pursuant to the ADA provided that the owner has completed the affidavit available at the Treasurer’s office affirming the dog to be exempted is a service animal as provided in Act 82 of 1981. There shall be no license fee for a dog being trained under contract as an ADA service animal upon presentation to the City Treasurer of such contract with a qualified organization recognized by the Michigan Department of Labor and presentation of the record of the dog's health and vaccination history, together with the application described in subsection (a) hereof.
(e) None of the provisions of this Section shall be construed as requiring the licensing of any dog imported into the City from outside the State of Michigan for a period not to exceed 30 days for show, trial, breeding or hunting purposes.
(f) A person who owns, harbors or keeps an animal shall produce a valid animal license upon the request of any person who is authorized to enforce this chapter.
(g) If a person has received a citation for a violation of this Section, the court shall waive fines, costs, and assessments upon receipt of certification by a City of Battle Creek ACO or Police Officer that a license was obtained before the appearance date on the citation.
(Ord. 16-99. Passed 10-5-99; Ord. 04-2017. Passed 5-16-17; Ord. 10-2018. Passed 10-2-18.)