(A) A person may register or apply for a permit with the Clerk-Treasurer. The applicant shall include, on the appropriate forms, the following information: his or her name, address, and phone number; the type of permit requested; the number and description of animals; proof of a valid rabies vaccination by a licensed veterinarian, if required by law; information regarding sterilization; and the appropriate registration or permit fee. Appropriate state and federal permit numbers must be provided in cases involving wildlife or federally protected animals, or any animal, which requires any state or federal permit.
(B) All applicants shall comply with all other applicable federal, state, and local laws, and the applicant shall not have been convicted of any cruelty to animal offense pursuant to Indiana Code.
(C) Applicants for permits shall allow, upon reasonable notice, the town animal control agency to conduct on-site inspections prior to the issuance of any permit and/or at any time during the valid term of the permit.
(D) The town or the animal control agency shall have the authority to issue or deny an application for registration and/or a permit. In determining whether to issue or deny an application for registration or a permit, the town or the animal control agency shall consider the following factors:
(1) Whether the person has been convicted of cruelty to animals;
(2) Whether the applicant has the proper facilities in place for a specific species as required by this law;
(3) Whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge and proof of previous experience in handling and keeping the animal species; and
(4) Whether the applicant has a history, documented by the animal control agency or the town’s designated agent, of providing inadequate or improper care for the animals.
(E) Registrations and permits, except dangerous animal/attack dog, shall be issued for a term of 1 year, effective January 1 through December 31 of each year. They shall be purchased during the first 3 months of each calendar year or within 30 days of acquiring the animal, whichever comes later. However, a performing animal license shall only be valid for 14 days.
(F) Upon approval of an application for registration or a permit, the town animal control agency shall issue a pet registration or permit in written form which shall include the registration or permit number, the type of registration or permit, and any pertinent information. In addition, for each registered pet, the town animal control agency shall issue a durable tag stamped with the registration number and year of issuance for each registration.
(G) The town animal control agency shall maintain records with the identifying registration number, microchip number and permit number.
(H) All fees shall be paid at the time of application and prior to the issuance of the permit or registration.
(I) No person shall use any registration, permit, license, or tag for any animal other than the animal for which it was issued.
(J) It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, to cause to be manufactured, or to have in his or her possession or control a stolen, counterfeit, or forged animal registration, permit, license, tag, rabies or neutering certificate, or other form of licensing or documentation required by this section.
(Ord. 1154, passed 9-12-2006) Penalty, see § 94.99