(A) Registration, photographs, and proof of vaccination required. Every owner of a dangerous animal in the city shall annually register the animal with the city. 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 dangerous animal shall also submit two color photographs showing the color and approximate size of the animal with the registration and obtain from the city a dangerous animal 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.
(1) Upon appropriate registration as set forth above, the city shall issue a license, which shall be valid during the same time period as the registration. The license fee shall be $500.
(2) The license shall be a metal tag. Each owner shall be responsible for a collar on which the tag can be fastened.
(3) The license fee shall be made payable to the city and shall be used to recover the costs of the tags and the administration of this subchapter.
(4) Animal tags shall not be transferable from one animal to another and no refunds shall be made on any unexpired animal license fee because of death of the animal or the owner moving out of the city.
(5) The licensing and registration herein required shall be in addition to all licenses, registrations, and vaccination requirements of the state or county by law or regulation.
(B) Proof animal has been spayed or neutered. Every owner of a dangerous animal 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. The city shall make the final determination if the animal must be spayed or neutered.
(C) Microchip identification required. Every owner of a dangerous animal 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 dangerous animal. 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 animal's owner. If such a animal is impounded, the microchip shall be installed or injected prior to its release. The owner or possessor of such an animal 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 dangerous animal must produce evidence that he or she has the ability to respond in damages up to and including the amount of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence 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 must be submitted to the city and may be in the form of a certificate of insurance, listing the city as a certificate holder on the homeowner's policy 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 dangerous animal, the owner of such animal shall provide evidence to the city of insurance or surety bond complying with the terms of this provision. Changing or cancelling the insurance policy or surety bond without prior notice given to the city will result in immediate confiscation and removal of the animal from the city.
(E) Reporting requirements. Every owner of a dangerous animal in the city is required to report the following information in writing to the city:
(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 dangerous animal in the city to fail to comply with the requirements and conditions set forth in this subchapter. A dangerous animal found to be in violation of this subchapter 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.
(Ord. O-13-2014, passed 11-4-14)