(A) Registration, photographs and proof of vaccination required. Every owner of a vicious dog in the city shall annually register the animal with the county. This registration shall state the name, address and telephone number of the person possessing the animal, the address where the animal is harbored, if different from the possessor’s address, completely identify the animal, including genus and species, his or her common name, gender, color and other distinguishing physical characteristics, including size and weight. An owner of a vicious dog shall also submit two color photographs showing the color and approximate size of the animal with the registration and obtain from the city a vicious dog tag. In the case of dogs or other animals required by law to be vaccinated for rabies, proof of rabies vaccination shall also be provided. Registration shall be completed for all animals that are located or kept within the territorial limits of the city for a period exceeding 24 hours. The registration period shall run from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. If a city license was obtained for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, it will be valid until 7-1-2012. After 7-1-2012, a county license will be the only license necessary to register a dog in the city.
(B) Proof dog or animal has been spayed or neutered. Every owner of a vicious dog in the city shall submit with its initial registration written proof from a veterinarian that the animal has been spayed or neutered, or a written statement from the veterinarian why the animal cannot or should not be spayed or neutered.
(C) Microchip identification required. Every owner of a vicious dog in the city is required to have a microchip installed or injected in the animal. Proof of microchip installation or injection is required at the time of registration of the vicious dog. The microchip shall be installed or injected under the skin of the animal by a veterinarian, or other properly trained and authorized individual, and shall be designed so that, when scanned by an electronic reader, it is capable of providing the identification of the dog’s owner. If such a dog is impounded, the microchip shall be installed or injected prior to its release. The owner or possessor of such a dog shall be responsible for payment of the costs associated with the installation or injection of a microchip in the animal.
(D) Insurance. An owner of a vicious dog must produce evidence that he or she has the ability to respond in damages up to and including the amount of $100,000 for bodily injury to or death of any person or persons or for damage to property that may result from the ownership, keeping or maintenance of such animal. Proof of financial responsibility may be in the form of a certificate of insurance, or in the form of a surety bond conditioned upon the payment of such damages. If such insurance or surety bond is changed, altered or terminated after registration of the vicious dog, the owner of such animal shall provide evidence to the city of insurance or surety bond complying with the terms of this provision.
(E) Reporting requirements. Every owner of a vicious dog in the city is required to report the following information in writing to an animal control officer:
(1) The removal from the city or death of the animal;
(2) The birth of offspring of the animal;
(3) The new address of the animal if it is relocated within the corporate city limits; or
(4) When the animal is running at large, has been stolen or has attacked a person or another animal.
(F) Failure to comply. It shall be unlawful for any owner of a vicious dog in the city to fail to comply with the requirements and conditions set forth in this chapter. A vicious dog found to be in violation of this chapter shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment. In addition, failure to comply with this chapter will result in the automatic revocation of the license of such animal.
(1984 Code, § 90.09) (Ord. O-33-99, passed 9-14-1999; Ord. O-33-03, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. O-49-03, passed 8-19-2003; Ord. O-18-05, passed 4-26-2005; Ord. O-4-12, passed 3-20-2012) Penalty, see § 90.99