(a) Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of any animal over three months of age within the Town must obtain a license as herein provided. This provision may not apply to small cage birds or to aquatic and amphibian animals kept solely as pets.
(b) Written application for licenses, which shall include name and address of applicant, description of the animal, the appropriate fee, and current rabies certificate documenting date of administration and expiration with either a one-year or three-year rabies vaccine, issued by a licensed veterinarian or anti-rabies clinic, shall be made to the licensing authority.
(c) If not revoked, licenses for the keeping of dogs and cats shall be for a period of one year.
(d) Application for a license must be made within thirty (30) days after obtaining a dog or cat over three months of age; this requirement will not apply to a nonresident keeping a dog or cat within the Town for not longer than thirty (30) days.
(e) License fees shall not be required for certified Seeing Eye dogs, hearing dogs, governmental police dogs, or other certified dogs that are trained to assist the physically handicapped.
(f) Upon acceptance of the license application and fee, the licensing authority shall issue a durable tag stamped with an identifying number and the year of issuance. Tags should be designed so that they may be conveniently fastened or riveted to the animal’s collar or harness.
(g) Dogs and cats must wear identification tags or identification collars at all times when off the premises of their owners.
(h) The licensing authority shall maintain a record of the identifying numbers of all tags issued and shall make this record available to the public upon request.
(i) The licensing period shall begin with the fiscal year and shall run for one year. A license application may be made up to thirty (30) days prior to April 30 of the fiscal year and up to sixty (60) days thereafter. This amendment shall be in effect for Year 2004 only and, at the conclusion of the same, the time period within which to file a pet license application shall revert to the original time period, namely, up to thirty (30) days prior to March 31 of the fiscal year and up to sixty (60) days thereafter.
(j) Persons who fail to obtain a license as required within the time period specified in this section will be subject to a fine of ten dollars ($10.00)
(k) A license shall be issued after payment of the following application fee:
Non-neutered male dog | $20.00 | Neutered male dog | $5.00 |
Non-spayed female dog | 20.00 | Neutered male cat | 5.00 |
Non-neutered male cat | 10.00 | Spayed female dog | 5.00 |
Non-spayed female cat | 10.00 | Spayed female cat | 5.00 |
(l) A duplicate tag may be obtained upon payment of a one dollar ($1.00) replacement fee.
(m) No person may use any license for any animal other than the animal for which it was issued.
(n) Animals rented solely for the purpose of guarding a business or residence are exempt from licensing with the Town. However, the contractor providing guard animals must be able to produce vaccination records immediately upon request. Also, any such establishment must provide written notice to the Town upon commencement of operation of said business.
(Ord. No. 95-32, § 3, 12-12-95; Am. Ord. No. 98-04, § 3-3, 2-10-98; Am. Ord. No. 2002-09, 4-16-02; Am. Ord. No. 2004-03, 1-20-04; Am. Ord. No. 2008-02, § 3, 4-16-08)