(A) Required. All dog owners, except tourists or visitors who stay less than one month in an area coming within the jurisdiction of this chapter, shall apply for and obtain a separate dog license for each dog they own, possess, keep, or harbor, after it is four months old. Each license shall be issued by the town. All dog owners must possess such license at the time the dog is four months old or one month after obtaining or bringing into the area coming within the jurisdiction of this chapter any dog over four months of age. Dog owners shall renew the dog license annually between the dates of January 1 and March 1 of each calendar year. If renewal is not required, dog owners shall within two months after the expiration date advise the Department of the reason therefore. Licenses not purchased or renewed within the above said dates shall be considered delinquent and a late fee as determined by the Town Council shall be added to the cost of the new license.
(B) Presumption that license required. Any dog is legally impounded according to the provisions of this chapter shall be presumed to be a dog which, prior to impounding, required a license, regardless of such dog’s actual age or owner’s place of residence.
(C) Issuance. Upon presentation by the dog owner of a properly completed license application form, including proof that the rabies vaccination will be valid throughout the license period, the proper license fee, and, if applicable, a late or delinquent fee, the town shall issue a validated dog license. The dog owner shall retain the dog license for inspection by any person charged with the enforcement of this chapter.
(D) Validity; rabies vaccination prerequisite to issuance. Licenses shall be valid from the date issued until December 31. No dog shall be licensed without proof of approved rabies vaccination.
(E) Lost or damaged tags; tags to be worn; exception. Whenever a license tag is lost or damaged, the owner shall apply for and secure a replacement from the town upon payment of the prescribed fee. Each dog required to be licensed shall wear at all times the current license tag assigned to that dog; except:
(1) When the dog is participating in any dog exhibition, field trial, or competition; or
(2) When the dog is confined in a licensed kennel or veterinary hospital, in which case the license tag number shall be recorded and placed nearby so that it is readily identifiable with the dog with which it belongs; or if not licensed, that fact shall be clearly indicated on the facility’s records. A license tag shall not be removed from any dog without the consent of the owner thereof.
(F) Duty of person issuing license. Each duly authorized person issuing a dog license for any dog shall complete the license in duplicate. One copy shall be given to the owner of the licensed dog, which the owner shall retain in his or her possession, and one copy will be retained by the town.
(G) Transfer license.
(1) Owners of dogs having a current license issued by another dog licensing agency may upon proof of license issued by said agency be issued a town dog license upon payment of the applicable transfer fee. The rabies vaccination for any such dog must be valid for the duration of the license issued.
(2) Whenever other ownership of a licensed dog changes, the new owner shall apply for and obtain a transfer license and pay the applicable fee.
(3) The address of the owner is presumed to be the address where the dog is kept.
(Ord. D-1-1994, passed - -1994)