(A) Exemption permit. The City Clerk shall maintain a register of qualified hobbyist exemption permit holders. Application shall be submitted in writing to the City Clerk, who shall notify the applicant of the acceptance or denial within 30 days of the application date. If the exemption permit is denied, the applicant shall be notified of the reason for the denial. A fee of $50 will be charged for the initial permit. Each subsequent renewal shall be $10.
(B) Animals and limitations. A holder of a hobbyist exemption permit will be permitted to own and keep, at a single-family dwelling, a number of dogs and cats that would otherwise constitute an offense under § 92.03(J); provided, however, that a permit holder other than an owner of hunting dogs shall allow outside the residence at any one time no more than the number of dogs permitted by § 92.03(J). The limit of animals a hobbyist can have at his residence can be no more than eight. A hobbyist permit is not a commercial breeder’s license. One must obtain a commercial breeder’s license from the State of Oklahoma.
(C) Permit qualifications. Any individual or organization, not a commercial breeder, that:
(1) Is actively involved in any nationally recognized animal sport or hobby for a period of at least one year prior to making application for a hobbyist exemption;
(2) Participates in field trials, owns nationally recognized breeds used specifically as hunting dogs, participates in hunting activities and has held and continues to hold a current, valid State of Oklahoma hunting license for a period of at least one year prior to making application for a hobbyist exemption;
(3) Qualifies as a rescuer according to the provisions of this chapter;
(4) Has not been convicted in the past ten years of any offense related to illegal commercial breeding, brokering, dog fighting, a nuisance offense under this chapter, a neglect offense under this chapter, a violation on the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code or regulations or two or more violations of § 92.03(B) prohibiting at large dogs and cats shall qualify for a hobbyist exemption permit; and
(5) Is a certified service dog-search and rescue dog.
(D) Application documents. Any applicant for a hobbyist exemption permit shall submit to the City Clerk one of the following:
(1) Certificates of completion of at least two training classes, dates within the 12 months immediately preceding the date of application;
(2) A show catalog including the applicant’s name as an exhibitor, and not less than two superintendent’s conformation receipts, dated within the 12 months immediately preceding the date of application;
(3) A certificate of title from a national registry for a dog or cat owned by the applicant;
(4) For an owner of hunting dogs, proof that the owner holds or is exempt from holding a current and valid State of Oklahoma hunting license; and
(5) A service - search and rescue dog must provide proof NIMS (National Integration Center Management Systems), SARS certified (through FEMA) along with training logs and a letter from a local state law enforcement agency.
(E) Activities excluded. Any activity involving the fighting or physical contact between animals or any activity otherwise illegal or dangerous to animals shall not be considered an organized sport or hobby for purposes of this section.
(F) Renewal. A permit holder must reapply for the exemption permit every year. To make application, the permit holder must furnish to the City Clerk one or more of the items listed in the application documents section that are dated within the previous year.
(G) Records. If applicable, the permit holder shall keep accurate records in accordance with the requirements of his associated national registry on each dog or cat owned, and on each dog or cat where ownership has been transferred. These records shall be open to the registry with which the hobbyist is affiliated.
(H) Requirements of a rescuer. A rescuer may harbor dogs and cats in accordance with this chapter; provided, however, that such cats and dogs are harbored for no longer than 90 days each while the rescuer attempts to locate the animal’s home or a new home. If a rescuer must harbor an animal for longer than 90 days due to its medical condition, the rescuer shall so notify Animal Control Supervisor. The rescuer must post a sign in the window showing that the establishment is a rescue establishment. No more than three dogs are allowed outside at any one time. The animals that are awaiting homes must be current on all vaccinations. The records on the animals must go with the animal when it is found a home. The animals that are adopted out must be spayed or neutered as stated in Oklahoma Dog and Cat Sterilization Act (4-499.2).
(I) Revocation. A permit holder shall have his hobbyist exemption permit revoked if he has been convicted of an offense of illegal commercial breeding, brokering, dog fighting, a nuisance under this chapter, animal abuse or cruelty under this chapter, neglect under this chapter, violation of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code or regulations or two or more violations of § 92.03(B) prohibiting at large dogs and cats.
(J) Intact permit. No dog or cat shall be registered in the city that is unaltered without having an intact permit. It is unlawful for one household holding an intact permit to have more than a total of three dogs or cats. The dogs or cats that remain at the household must stay current on rabies vaccinations and city registrations. The puppies from the litters must be placed by four months of age.
(1) To obtain an intact permit, the dog or cat owner must provide proof:
(a) Current rabies vaccinations;
(b) Number of dogs or cats no more than three;
(c) Gender of dogs or cats;
(d) Current address where pets are to be held;
(e) Provide proof of paying city taxes on animals sold, given away, adopted out, traded or any other means of relocating animals;
(f) Keep proof of all animals sold; and
(g) Records of all veterinarian vaccinations and retain one copy for the new pet owner and a copy for the breeder’s records. (These copies should be kept for six months after the pet has left the residence.)
(2) These records are to be kept for inspection along with veterinarian records.
(a) The owner is not to sell, give away, adopt or trade any dog, cat, puppy or kitten without charging city tax on the dog, cat, puppy or kitten, vaccinating the dog, cat, puppy or kitten, giving the new pet owner a copy of the vet records and a copy of the breeding papers.
(b) The City Clerk or duly authorized agents of the city shall issue intact permits upon payment of the fee and approval of an application made for such purpose. The applicant shall pay an intact permit fee of $100 at the time of application.
(c) Upon approval of the application, the City Clerk or any authorized agent shall issue the intact permit. An intact permit shall expire one year from the date of issuance and shall be subject to revocation and non-renewal as provided in this chapter. The renewal fee is $75 for every year after the initial issuance of the intact permit.
(d) A current intact permit may be transferred to the new owner of the dog or cat for which the permit was issued upon application of the new owner and payment of a $45 transfer fee.
(e) It is unlawful to use or transfer an intact permit or tag, or attempt to use or transfer the same, for or to a dog or cat other than the animal for which the permit was issued.
(f) The dog or cat must still be registered with the city. The registration tag is $20 per pet and for the life of the pet.
(g) Grounds for denial if the animal or animals in question have been impounded multiple times or the owners have been found guilty of animal charges.
(3) Revocation or non-renewal of intact permit.
(a) The City Manager or his designate may revoke the intact permit for a dog or cat when, during the current permit year, the owner of the animal for which the permit is issued is convicted, pleas guilty or nolo contendere to more than one offense of allowing or permitting such dog or cat to run at large as provided in this chapter. Prior to revoking the permit, the City Manager or his designate shall provide the owner with reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard.
(b) Neither the City Clerk nor any authorized agent shall issue or renew an intact permit for any dog or cat for which an intact permit has been revoked. The commencement of revocation proceedings shall temporarily stay the issuance or renewal of an intact permit pending the outcome of such proceedings.
(Ord. 2009-33, passed 12-21-09)