A. It is unlawful for any person to own, possess or harbor any dog within the corporate limits of the city without first obtaining and exhibiting a dog license as provided in this section.
B. Any person owning, possessing or harboring any dog shall obtain a license for such animal from an animal control officer or a person authorized to sell dog licenses after the dog reaches the age of six (6) months as determined by canine teeth, or within ten (10) days of the acquisition of a dog over six (6) months of age.
C. Each application for a dog license shall be accompanied by the following prescribed license fees and by a current rabies vaccination certificate obtained from a licensed veterinarian:
1. Ten dollar ($10.00) annual licensing fee for each sterilized dog until such fee is adjusted;
2. Twenty dollar ($20.00) annual licensing fee for each unsterilized dog until such fee is adjusted;
3. For each senior citizen sixty five (65) years or older, the fee for a sterilized dog shall be the sum of five dollars ($5.00), and the fee for each unsterilized dog shall be the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00), until such time as such fees are adjusted;
4. One dollar ($1.00) for each lost dog license tag.
D. Dog licenses will be issued annually with each license being effective between January 1 and December 31 for each calendar year. A dog license shall be renewed each year and every year thereafter on or before January 1. Replacements for lost or destroyed tags shall be issued upon payment of one dollar ($1.00) per dog for each lost or destroyed tag, to the animal control officer or a person authorized to sell dog licenses.
E. Any person who owns, possesses or harbors any dog within the corporate limits of the city is required to secure about the neck of such dog a durable collar with an attached license tag.
F. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person visiting the city for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days, so long as the person owning, possessing or harboring a dog displays a current valid license issued by another municipality or other licensing authority and the person can display proof of current rabies vaccination from either a licensed veterinarian or an authorized animal control officer.
G. Dog license tags are not transferable from one dog to another dog.
H. Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to exempt any dog from having a current rabies vaccination. (Ord. 1170, 2015; Ord. 694 § 1, 1997; Ord. 610 § 1, 1992; Ord. 555, 1990; Ord. 516 § 10, 1988)