(A) No person, without first obtaining a written license from the office of the City Clerk, shall own, keep, harbor or have custody of any dog over four months of age.
(B) No license shall be required for animals temporarily (15 days or less) brought and kept within the city, or for “seeing-eye” dogs, when the dogs are actually used to aid blind persons.
(C) Licenses shall be issued only upon presentation of proof of current vaccination for rabies, as required by this chapter.
(D) The owner of the dog shall, at the time of paying the license fee, register the dog by giving the City Clerk the name and address of the owner, the name, breed, color and sex of the dog and other reasonable information as the City Clerk may request.
(E) The City Clerk shall deliver an appropriate tag for the dog, in addition to the written receipt. The tag shall constitute the license.
(F) The owner shall cause the tag received from the City Clerk to be affixed to the collar or harness of the dog upon which the license fee has been paid and the owner shall see that the tag is so worn at all times.
(G) Dog license tags shall not be transferable, from one dog to another, and no refunds shall be made for any dog license fee because of the death of the dog or the owner’s departure from the community.
(H) No person shall counterfeit, or attempt to counterfeit, any tag issued for a dog, as provided in this chapter.
(I) A license tax of $3 per year for every dog more than four months of age is hereby levied upon the owner of any dog kept or harbored within the city.
(J) All license fees shall be paid to the City Clerk and shall be due not later than the first day of January of each year, or within 15 days after bringing an animal into the city after the date.
(K) In the event of loss of the tag before the end of the year for which it was issued, the owner may secure another for the dog by presenting the original receipt and the sum of $0.50 to the City Clerk.
(L) Licensed veterinarians or approved animal shelters may serve as agents for the city to sell the dog licenses, subject to a written agreement being executed between the parties detailing the fee for providing the service. Written proof of vaccination shall be provided from a veterinarian, to qualify for a license.
(2002 Code, § 90.25) Penalty, see § 90.99