A. No person, without first obtaining a written dog license from the Office of the City Clerk, shall own, keep, harbor or have custody of any dog over six (6) months of age; provided, that the City shall first have implemented such a license system. (2007 Code § 3-30)
B. No license shall be required for animals temporarily (7 days or less) brought and kept within the City or for a guide dog, signal dog or service dog that is actually being used by a blind, physically handicapped, deaf, or hard of hearing person to aid that person in going from place to place. (2007 Code § 3-30; amd. 2019 Code)
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 such 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 so that the tag can be seen by police officers, 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 article. (2007 Code § 3-30)
I. An annual license fee of five dollars ($5.00) for every dog more than six (6) months of age, is hereby levied upon the owner of any such 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 January 1 of each year, or within one week after bringing such an animal into the City after such date.
K. In the event of the 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 one dollar ($1.00) to the City Clerk. (2007 Code § 3-30; amd. 2019 Code)
L. Licensed veterinarians or approved animal shelters may serve as agents for the City to sell dog licenses, subject to a written agreement being executed between said parties, delineating responsibilities, fees and charges for said service; written proof of vaccination shall be provided from a veterinarian. (2007 Code § 3-30)