Sec. 4-93. Counterfeiting or transferring tags prohibited.

Any person who counterfeits or attempts to counterfeit an official dog license tag, or causes such a tag to be removed from any dog for the purpose of placing such tag upon a dog other than the dog to which the tag was issued, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(1953 Code, ch. 4, art. II, § 4.13; Ord. No. 2558, § 1, 12-16-63)

Sec. 4-94. When tag need not be worn.

Dogs while being used for hunting, or dogs while being exhibited at an American Kennel Club approved show, or dogs while engaged in races approved by the Arizona Racing Commission, and such dogs while being transported to and from such events, need not wear a collar or harness with a valid license attached, provided that they are properly vaccinated and licensed.

(1953 Code, ch. 4, art. II, § 4.14; Ord. No. 2558, § 1, 12-16-63)

Sec. 4-95. Impounding, vaccination of unvaccinated dogs.

If a dog is impounded and found to be unvaccinated the city enforcement agent is hereby authorized to cause such dog to be vaccinated and microchipped at a cost to be borne by the owner. The vaccination shall be performed by a licensed veterinarian, who shall issue a certificate of vaccination and microchipping.

(1953 Code, ch. 4, art. II, § 5.1; Ord. No. 2558, § 1, 12-16-63; Ord. No. 7998, § 4, 6-7-93; Ord. No. 10206, § 5, 10-4-05)

Sec. 4-96. Reserved.

   Editors Note: Former § 4-96, relative to impounding and disposition of biting dogs or dogs suspected of rabies, was repealed by § 18 of Ord. No. 6043, adopted June 25, 1984. The former section was derived from ch. 4. art. II, §§ 5.2--5.6 of the 1953 Code, as amended by the following: Ord. No. 2558, § 1, adopted Dec. 16, 1963; Ord. No. 3078, §§ 1, 2, adopted Jan. 15, 1968; and Ord. No. 3711, § 1, adopted Sept. 7, 1971.

Sec. 4-97. Being at large prohibited; exceptions; impoundment; penalties.

   Sec. 4-97(1). It shall be unlawful for any dog owned, possessed, harbored, kept or maintained to be upon public streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks or other public property unless such dog is restrained by means of a leash, chain, rope, cord or similar device not more than six (6) feet in length, and of sufficient strength to control the action of such dog, except as may otherwise be provided in this Code.

The owner of any dog found to be at large shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished pursuant to this section. (Ord. No. 7241, § 6, 7-3-89)

   Sec. 4-97(2). It shall be unlawful for any dog owned, possessed, kept, harbored or maintained to be at large upon or about the private property of any person, including that of the owner of such dog. Confinement shall be accomplished by means of a fence or similar enclosure of sufficient strength and height to prevent the dog from escaping therefrom, or inside a house or other building, to keep the dog exclusively on the premises where secured. Tieouts are prohibited.

The owner of any dog found to be at large shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished pursuant to this section. (Ord. No. 7241, § 6, 7-3-89; Ord. No. 8713, § 4, 6-10-96)

   Sec. 4-97(3). Police dogs, dogs while participating in dog training classes, dogs while being exhibited or trained at a kennel club event, or dogs while engaged in races approved by the Arizona Racing Commission, shall be exempt from the provisions of minor sections 4-97(1) and 4-97(2), provided that the dog is accompanied by and under the control of his owner or trainer; dogs confined within a city maintained temporary or permanent dog run located within a park will be exempt from the provisions of minor sections 4-97(1). (Ord. No. 9167, § 1, 11-23-98; Ord. No. 9547, § 1, 5-7-01)

   Sec. 4-97(4). The city enforcement agent shall impound, or cause to be impounded, any dog running at large contrary to the provisions of this article. Prior to redemption or adoption, the city enforcement agent may microchip the dog at the owner's expense. (Ord. No. 10206, § 6, 10-4-05)

   Sec. 4-97(5). A person convicted of the offense prohibited by minor section 4-97(1) or 4-97(2) shall be punished as follows:

For a first conviction within a twelve-month period, by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), by imprisonment for not more than four (4) months, by probation for not more than three (3) years, or any combination thereof; for a second conviction within a twelve-month period, by a fine of not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), by imprisonment for not more than four (4) months, by probation for not more than three (3) years, or any combination thereof; for a third or subsequent conviction within a twelve-month period, by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), by imprisonment of not more than four (4) months, by probation for not more than three (3) years, or any combination thereof.

No judge may suspend the imposition of the minimum prescribed fine. In addition, the judge shall order abatement as necessary. (Ord. No. 5010, § 2, 9-10-79; Ord. No. 6043, § 19, 6-25-84; Ord. No. 7241, § 6, 7-3-89; Ord. No. 9159, § 4, 11-9-98; Ord. No. 10475, § 2, 11-13-07)

(1953 Code, ch. 4, art. II, §§ 6.1--6.4: Ord. No. 2558, § 1, 12-26-63; Ord. No. 2567, §§ 1, 2, 1-6-64; Ord. No. 5219, § 4, 9-22-80)

Sec. 4-98. Impounding unlicensed dogs.

The city enforcement agent may apprehend and impound, or cause to be impounded, any dog found without a license tag for the current year. Prior to redemption or adoption, the city enforcement agent may microchip the dog at the owner's expense.

(1953 Code, ch. 4, art. II, § 6.5; Ord. No. 2558, § 1, 12-16-63; Ord. No. 9605, § 1, 9-10-01; Ord. No. 10206, § 7, 10-4-05)