(A) All dogs kept, harbored or maintained in the town must be licensed and registered if over four months of age. Dog licenses shall be issued by the Police Department, or by an authorized representative of the Police Department, upon payment of a license fee for each female dog and for each male or spayed female. Before any license may be issued for a spayed female dog, a certificate in writing signed by a person duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine or surgery in the state describing the female dog and certifying that it has been spayed, together with the date thereof, shall be filed with the Town Clerk. The owner shall state at the time application is made for the license his or her name and address, the name, breed, color and sex of each dog owned or kept by him or her.
(B) A guide dog belonging to a blind person who is a resident of the state or any bona fide non-profit organization which is in the business of breeding, raising or training dogs that are to be used for guiding the blind shall, upon application by the owner or organization to the town and on presentation of proper proof, be vaccinated and licensed pursuant to this subchapter without payment of a fee.
(C) Each dog licensed under the terms of this subchapter shall receive, at the time of licensing, a tag on which shall be inscribed the name of the town, the number of the license and the year in which it expires. The tag shall be attached to a collar or harness which shall be worn by the dog at all times, except as otherwise provided in this subchapter. Whenever a dog tag is lost, a duplicate tag shall be issued upon application by the owner and payment of a fee to the Police Department.
(D) Any person who counterfeits or attempts to counterfeit an official dog tag or removes the tag from any dog for the purpose of willful and malicious mischief, or places a dog tag upon a dog unless the tag was issued to that dog, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(E) Whenever the ownership of a dog has been changed, the new owner must secure a transfer of license to the owner. A transfer fee shall be charged to transfer any license.
(F) Dogs while being used for hunting or dogs while being exhibited at American Kennel Club approved shows or dogs while engaged in races approved by the State Racing Commission and the dogs, while being transported to and from the events, need not wear a collar or harness with a valid license attached; provided that, they are properly vaccinated and licensed.
(G) The Police Department shall apprehend and impound any dog found without a current valid license tag.
(H) Each unlicensed dog impounded shall be kept and maintained at the pound for a minimum of five days. At the expiration of the impoundment period, anyone may claim the dog; provided that, the person pays all established pound fees and complies with the licensing provisions of this subchapter. If no person claims the dog, the Police Department may dispose of the dog in a humane manner.
(1974 Code, § 6-3-2) Penalty, see § 94.999