(A) All dogs kept, harbored or maintained in the city must be licensed and registered if over three months of age. Dog licenses shall be issued by the enforcement agent upon payment of a license fee and presentation of proof of rabies vaccination, and shall be valid for the calendar year purchased. The license fee payable shall be an amount adopted by Council resolution at a duly constituted meeting. The owner shall state at the time application is made for such license, his or her name and address, the name, breed, color and sex of each dog owned or kept by him or her and shall provide proof of spaying or neutering, if applicable.
(B) Tourists or transient owners keeping or maintaining a dog within the city shall not be required to obtain a license for the dog if the dog is kept confined and if the dog has a valid current license from another city, town or county during the entire period the dog is kept in the city.
(C) A service animal belonging to a person with a disability who is a resident of the state or any bona fide nonprofit organization which is in the business of breeding, raising or training dogs that are to be used as service animals, upon application by the owner or organization to the city and upon presentation of proper proof, shall be licensed pursuant to this chapter, without payment of a fee.
(D) Each person obtaining a dog license under the terms of this chapter shall receive at the time of licensing, a tag on which shall be inscribed the name of the city, the number of the license and the year in which it expires. The tag shall be attached to a collar or harness which shall be worn by the dog at all times, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. If the dog license is lost or destroyed, the owner shall immediately procure a duplicate license tag from the enforcement agent for which a fee of one-half the original fee shall be charged.
(E) It is unlawful for any person to fail to obtain a license for a dog required to be licensed, or counterfeit or attempt to counterfeit an official dog tag or remove such tag from any dog for the purpose of willful and malicious mischief or place a dog tag upon a dog unless the tag was issued to that dog.
(F) Whenever the ownership of a dog has been changed, the new owner must secure a transfer of license to such owner. A transfer fee shall be equal to one-half of the original fee charged.
(G) Dogs while being used for hunting, or while being exhibited at American Kennel Club approved shows, or while engaged in races approved by the state’s 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, they are properly vaccinated and licensed.
(H) The enforcement agent shall apprehend and impound any dog found without a current valid license tag.
(I) A kennel license shall be available upon conditions and at a fee to be determined by the Council.
(J) Before a license is issued to any dog, the owner must present a vaccination certificate signed by a veterinarian stating the owner’s name and address, and giving the dog’s description, date of vaccination and type, manufacturer and serial number of the vaccine and the date revaccination is due. A duplicate of each rabies vaccination certificate issued shall be transmitted to the enforcement agent on or before the tenth day of the month following the month during which the dog was vaccinated. No dog shall be licensed unless it is vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(K) A dog vaccinated in any other place prior to entry into the city may be licensed in the city; provided that, at the time of licensing, the owner of such dog presents a vaccination certificate, signed by a veterinarian licensed to practice in that place or a veterinarian employed by a governmental agency in that place, stating the owner’s name and address and giving the dog’s description, date of vaccination and type, manufacturer and serial number of the vaccine used. The vaccination must be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
(L) The enforcement agent may make provisions for vaccination clinics as deemed necessary. The vaccination shall be performed by a veterinarian.
(M) The license and dog tags issued under this chapter shall expire and become automatically ineffective as a means of protection to dogs on December 31 of each year.
(Ord. 919, passed - -2011) Penalty, see § 90.99