Section
91.01 Definitions
91.02 Dogs
91.03 Non-domestic animals
91.04 Farm animals
91.05 Impounding
91.06 Kennels
91.07 Nuisances
91.08 Seizure of animals
91.09 Animals presenting a danger to health and safety of city
91.10 Diseased animals
91.11 Dangerous animals
91.12 Dangerous animal requirements
91.13 Basic care
91.14 Breeding moratorium
91.15 Enforcing officer
91.16 Pound
91.17 Interference with officers
91.99 Penalty
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any mammal, reptile, amphibian, fish, bird (including all fowl and poultry) or other member commonly accepted as a part of the animal kingdom. Animals shall be classified as follows:
(1) DOMESTIC ANIMALS. Those animals commonly accepted as domesticated household pets. Unless otherwise defined, DOMESTIC ANIMALS shall include dogs, cats, caged birds, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, domesticated rabbits, fish, non-poisonous, non-venomous and non-constricting reptiles or amphibians, and other similar animals.
(2) FARM ANIMALS. Those animals commonly associated with a farm or performing work in an agricultural setting. Unless otherwise defined, FARM ANIMALS shall include members of the equestrian family (horses, mules), bovine family (cows, bulls), sheep, poultry (chickens, turkeys), fowl (ducks, geese), swine (including Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs), goats, bees, and other animals associated with a farm, ranch, or stable.
(3) NON-DOMESTIC ANIMALS. Those animals commonly considered to be naturally wild and not naturally trained or domesticated, or which are commonly considered to be inherently dangerous to the health, safety, and welfare of people. Unless otherwise defined, NON-DOMESTIC ANIMALS shall include:
(a) Any member of the large cat family (family felidae) including lions, tigers, cougars, bobcats, leopards and jaguars, but excluding commonly accepted domesticated house cats;
(b) Any naturally wild member of the canine family (family canidae) including wolves, foxes, coyotes, dingoes, and jackals, but excluding commonly accepted domesticated dogs;
(c) Any crossbreeds such as the crossbreed between a wolf and a dog, unless the crossbreed is commonly accepted as a domesticated house pet;
(d) Any member or relative of the rodent family including any skunk (whether or not descented), raccoon, squirrel, or ferret, but excluding those members otherwise defined or commonly accepted as domesticated pets;
(e) Any poisonous, venomous, constricting, or inherently dangerous member of the reptile or amphibian families including rattlesnakes, boa constrictors, pit vipers, crocodiles and alligators;
(f) Any other animal which is not explicitly listed above but which can be reasonably defined by the terms of this section, including but not limited to bears, deer, monkeys and game fish.
AT LARGE. Off the premises of the owner and not under the custody and control of the owner or other person, either by leash, cord, chain, or otherwise restrained or confined.
CAT. Both the male and female of the felidae species commonly accepted as domesticated household pets.
DOG. Both the male and female of the canine species, commonly accepted as domesticated household pets, and other domesticated animals of a dog kind.
OWNER. Any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping, or harboring an animal.
RELEASE PERMIT. A permit issued by the Animal Control Officer or other person in charge of the pound for the release of any animal that has been taken to the pound. A release permit may be obtained upon payment of a fee to the City Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator in accordance with the regular license requirement if the animal is unlicensed, payment of a release fee, and any maintenance costs incurred in capturing and impounding the animal. The release fee shall be as established by resolution of the Council as it may be amended from time to time.
(Ord. 91, passed 3-11-24)
(A) License required.
(1) All dogs over the age of six months kept, harbored, or maintained by their owners in the city, shall be licensed and registered with the city. Dog licenses shall be issued by the City Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator upon payment of the license fee as established by Council resolution as may be amended from time to time. The owner shall state, at the time application is made for the license and upon forms provided, his or her name and address and the name, breed, color, and sex of each dog owned or kept by him or her. No license shall be granted for a dog that has not been vaccinated against distemper and rabies, as evidenced by a certificate by a veterinarian qualified to practice in the state in which the dog is vaccinated.
(2) It shall be the duty of each owner of a dog subject to this section to pay to the City Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator the license fee established by Council resolution as it may be amended from time to time.
(3) Upon payment of the license fee as established by Council resolution as may be amended from time to time, the Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator shall issue to the owner a license certificate and metallic tag for each dog licensed. The tag shall have stamped on it the year for which it is issued and the number corresponding with the number on the certificate. Every owner shall be required to provide each dog with a collar to which the license tag must be affixed, and shall see that the collar and tag are constantly worn. In case a dog tag is lost or destroyed, a duplicate shall be issued by the City Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator. A charge shall be made for each duplicate tag in an amount established by Council resolution as it may be amended from time to time. Dog tags shall not be transferable from one dog to another and no refunds shall be made on any dog license fee or tag because of death of a dog or the owner's leaving the city before the expiration of the license period.
(4) The licensing provisions of this division (A) shall not apply to dogs whose owners are nonresidents temporarily within the city, nor to dogs brought into the city for the purpose of participating in any dog show, nor shall this provision apply to "seeing eye" dogs properly trained to assist blind persons for the purpose of aiding them in going from place to place.
(5) The funds received by the City Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator from all dog licenses and metallic tags fees as established by Council resolution as may be amended from time to time, shall first be used to defray any costs incidental to the enforcement of this chapter; including, but not restricted to, the costs of licenses, metallic tags, and impounding and maintenance of the dogs.
(B) Vaccination.
(1) All dogs kept harbored, maintained, or transported within the city shall be vaccinated at least once every three years by a licensed veterinarian for:
(a) Rabies — with a live modified vaccine; and
(b) Distemper.
(2) A certificate of vaccination must be kept on which is stated the date of vaccination, owner's name and address, the animal's name (if applicable), sex, description and weight, the type of vaccine, and the veterinarian's signature. Upon demand made by the City Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator, the Animal Control Officer or a police officer, the owner shall present for examination the required certificate of vaccination for the animal. In cases where certificates are not presented, the owner or keeper of the animal shall have seven days in which to present the certificate to the City Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator or officer. Failure to do so shall be deemed a violation of this section.
(Ord. 91, passed 3-11-24) Penalty, see § 91.99
It shall be illegal for any person to own, possess, harbor, or offer for sale, any non-domestic animal within the city. Any owner of a non-domestic animal at the time of adoption of this code shall have 30 days in which to remove the animal from the city after which time the city may impound the animal as provided for in this section. An exception shall be made to this prohibition for animals specifically trained for and actually providing assistance to the handicapped or disabled, and for those animals brought into the city as part of an operating zoo, veterinarian clinic, scientific research laboratory, or a licensed show or exhibition.
(Ord. 91, passed 3-11-24) Penalty, see § 91.99
Loading...