§ 10-60. Cat or dog license.

(a)

Voluntary license. An owner of a dog or cat may obtain a license for such dog or cat unless required under subsection (b) of this section. The tag may be displayed and securely attached to a collar or harness around the dog or cat's neck.

(b)

Mandatory license. An owner of a dog or cat who is issued a citation for an offense under subsection 10-60(e) or Article VI shall obtain a license for the dog or cat unless the citation was dismissed. The tag shall be displayed and securely attached to a collar or harness around the dog or cat's neck at all times.

(c)

Obtaining license. A dog or cat license, whether voluntary or mandatory, can be obtained from the city animal care and adoption center in person, by mail, or at any other facility temporarily or permanently designated by the city to issue the license.

(1)

Application. To apply for a dog or cat license, a person shall submit valid identification; the dog or cat's description; proof of rabies vaccination, and sterilization, if appropriate; and the one-time license fee, if the license is required under section 10-60(b). Written application for a dog or cat license and payment of the license fee shall be made to the city animal care and adoption center.

(2)

Proof of vaccination. To obtain a dog or cat license under this section, a person shall present a certificate from a licensed veterinarian indicating that the dog or cat has been vaccinated for rabies within the preceding twelve (12) months or that the dog or cat has received an appropriate rabies booster as designated by subsection (e) before a dog or cat tag is issued.

(3)

Issuance of tag. Upon receipt of the dog or cat license application, supporting documentation, and the license fee, if required, the city animal care and adoption center shall issue a durable tag stamped with a license number. The city animal care and adoption center shall indicate whether a dog or cat license is voluntary or mandatory on the tag.

(4)

Validity. The cat or dog license shall be valid unless revoked by the animal services officer under subsection (g).

(d)

Offenses.

(1)

A person commits an offense if the person owns, keeps, harbors, or has custody of any dog or cat that is required to be licensed under section 10-60(b) and fails to obtain the dog or cat license.

(2)

A person commits an offense if the person owns, keeps, harbors, or has custody of any dog or cat that is required to be licensed under section 10-60(b) and fails to display on the dog or cat a valid license tag.

(3)

A person commits an offense if the person owns, keeps, harbors, or has custody of any dog or cat that is required to be licensed under section 10-60(b) and displays on such dog or cat a revoked license tag or a license tag issued to another animal.

(e)

Vaccination.

(1)

The owner of a dog or cat shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies by the time such animal is four months of age, as required by state law. The animal must receive a rabies booster within the 12-month interval following the initial vaccination. If such booster was with a triennial vaccine, such dog or cat must thereafter be re-vaccinated within thirty-six (36) months of the previous vaccination. If such booster was with an annual vaccine, the animal must be re-vaccinated within twelve (12) months. Animals shall be re-vaccinated thereafter within thirty six (36) months if the previous vaccination was with a triennial rabies vaccine, or within twelve (12) months if the previous vaccination was with an annual rabies vaccine.

(2)

Any person establishing residence within the city shall comply with this chapter within 10 days of establishing such residency.

(3)

If an unvaccinated dog or cat inflicts a bite or scratch or otherwise attacks any person within the city limits, a rabies vaccine shall not be administered to the dog or cat until that animal is released from quarantine.

(f)

Defenses.

(1)

It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under subsection (d) if a citation issued under section 10-60(d) or Article VI was dismissed.

(2)

It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under subsection (e) that the animal was owned, kept or harbored by, or in the custody of, an animal boarding facility or animal rescue shelter, was kept under restraint on the premises of the boarding facility or animal rescue shelter, and was being offered for sale or adoption by the boarding facility or animal rescue shelter.

(g)

Revocation of license.

(1)

The animal services officer may revoke a dog or cat license for the following reasons: (i) Impoundment of the dog or cat by the city more than two (2) times during a twelve (12) month period; (ii) More than two (2) final convictions for violating this article when such convictions relate to the dog or cat which is being considered for license revocation; or (iii) Any combination of (i) and (ii) totaling three (3) incidents.

(2)

Upon revocation of a dog or cat license, the city animal care and adoption services center shall notify the owner in writing. Written notification shall be deemed made when a letter is mailed via registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address provided on the license application.

(3)

Upon the expiration of ten (10) days after written notification of revocation is deposited in the U.S. Mail, as provided in subsection (2), a dog or cat which has had its license revoked is subject to being surrendered.

DOG LICENSE FEES

Mandatory License Fee	Voluntary License Fee	Replacement Tag Fee
$10.00	No Fee	$5.00

 

(Ord. No. O-2013-004-04, § 1, 3-25-13)