Chapter 6.10
DOGS
Sections:
6.10.010 Applicability of title to dogs.
6.10.020 Vaccination required.
6.10.030 Licenses and tags generally.
6.10.010 Applicability of title to dogs.
The provisions of Chapter 6.05 TTC shall apply to dogs unless such provision specifically excluded dogs or unless there is a provision within this chapter covering the same subject matter. [Ord. 47 § 3, 1997. Code 1983 § 5-3-1.]
6.10.020 Vaccination required.
A. No dog shall be allowed to reside in the town unless said dog or dogs have been vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian.
B. Before a license is issued for any dog, the owner must present a vaccination certificate signed by a veterinarian licensed by this state or a government 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 date re-vaccination is due. No dog shall be licensed unless it is vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the regulation promulgated hereunder. A complete record of all of the above will be kept by the animal control officer.
C. A dog vaccinated in any other place prior to entry into the town may be licensed in the town; 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 and the regulation promulgated hereunder.
D. The animal control officer may make provision for low cost vaccination clinics as deemed necessary. The vaccination shall be performed by a veterinarian.
E. If a dog is impounded and found to be unvaccinated, the animal control officer is hereby authorized to cause such dog to be vaccinated at the pound at a cost to be borne by the owner. The vaccination shall be performed by a veterinarian, who shall issue a verification of vaccination. [Ord. 47 § 3, 1997. Code 1983 § 5-3-2.]
6.10.030 Licenses and tags generally.
A. All dogs four months old or older kept, harbored or maintained in the town for at least 30 consecutive days in a calendar year must be licensed and registered. Dog licenses shall be issued by the animal control officer, upon payment of a license fee, which license shall expire annually on March 31st. The owner shall state at the time application is made for such license his name and address, the name, breed, color and sex of each dog owned or kept by him.
B. A guide dog belonging to a blind person 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 for guiding the blind shall, upon application by the owner or organization to the town and on presentation of proper proof, be licensed pursuant to this chapter without a payment of a fee.
C. Each dog licensed under the terms of this chapter shall receive, at the time of licensing, a tag on which shall be inscribed the name of the town, 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. Whenever a dog tag is lost, a duplicate tag shall be issued upon application by the owner and payment of a fee of $3.00 to the animal control officer.
D. It is unlawful for any person to 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 on a dog unless the tag was issued to that dog.
E. Whenever the ownership of a dog has been changed, the new owner must secure a transfer of license to such owner. A transfer fee of $5.00 shall be charged to transfer any license.
F. Dogs while being used for hunting or dogs while being exhibited at recognized kennel club events 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.
G. The animal control officer may apprehend and impound any dog found without a current valid license tag.
H. It shall be the duty of every owner or keeper of any dog kept within the limits of the town to cause the license tag hereinabove mentioned to be securely attached around the dog’s neck and kept there at all times during the license period. Absence of the license tag from the neck of any dog shall be prima facie evidence that the dog has not been licensed or vaccinated as provided in this title. Any such dog shall be deemed to be unowned.
I. No person in charge of any dog shall permit such dog to be in a public park or upon any public school property unless the dog is physically restrained by a leash, enclosed in a car, cage or similar enclosure or being exhibited or trained at a recognized kennel club event, public school or park sponsored event. [Ord. 47 § 3, 1997. Code 1983 § 5-3-3.]
6.10.040 Fees.
A. Fees required to be paid by this title which are not specified herein shall be as established by the town council by resolution. Fees which are specified in this title shall be in effect until such time as the fees are changed by the town council by resolution.
B. The license fee for a dog is $5.00 per year, unless it is unsterile, the license fee is $7.00. The fee for redemption of an impounded dog is $20.00 (impound charge). The impound fees double for each subsequent impoundment within one year (of the incident) of the same dog in the following manner:
1. Second impoundment: $40.00;
2. Third impoundment: $80.00;
3. Fourth impoundment: $160.00; and
4. Fifth impoundment: $320.00. [Ord. 47 § 3, 1997. Code 1983 § 5-3-4.]
6.10.050 Running at large.
A. No person owning, keeping, possessing, harboring or maintaining a dog shall allow such dog to be at large.
B. A dog is not deemed to be at large:
1. While said dog is actively engaged in dog obedience training and is accompanied by and under the control of his owner or trainer.
2. While such dog is being used for hunting purposes.
3. While such dog is being exhibited or trained at a recognized kennel club event. [Ord. 47 § 3, 1997. Code 1983 § 5-3-6.]
6.10.060 Biting dogs.
A. Whenever a dog bites any person the incident shall be reported to the animal control officer immediately by any person having direct knowledge.
B. Any dog that bites any person shall be quarantined and impounded, as prescribed in TTC 6.05.110, for a period of not less than 10 days. The quarantine period shall start on the day of the bite incident. If the day of the bite is not known, the quarantine period shall start on the first day of the impoundment. If the dog is impounded as a result of a dog bite incident, the owner shall pay a $50.00 impound fee.
C. If the dog shows clear clinical signs of rabies or other dangerous, contagious and infectious disease, or if the owner consents to its destruction, it shall be the duty of the animal control officer to destroy such dog in as humane a manner as is reasonably possible. If at the end of the quarantine or impoundment the animal control officer, after consultation with a veterinarian, is convinced that the dog is free from such diseases, the dog shall be released. If the dog dies during the period of quarantine or impoundment, its head shall be sent to the State Department of Health for an examination. [Ord. 47 § 3, 1997. Code 1983 § 5-3-7.]
6.10.070 Impoundment of dogs.
A. The animal control officer may apprehend and impound any dog found without a current valid license tag; any dog with or without a current valid license tag which is found running at large; any dog disturbing the peace; any dog which bites any person; or any dog which is a public nuisance as defined in TTC 6.05.030. Said officer shall have the right to enter upon private property when it is necessary to do so in reasonable pursuit of and in order to apprehend any dog subject to impoundment.
B. Each unlicensed dog impounded shall be kept and maintained at the pound for a minimum of three days. At the expiration of the impoundment period anyone may claim the dog; provided, that such person pays all established impound fees and completes the licensing provisions of this chapter. If no person claims the dog, the animal control officer may dispose of the dog in a humane manner.
C. The animal control officer shall notify the owner in person or by mail or by notice placed at the residence of the owner of any licensed dog impounded under the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 47 § 3, 1997. Code 1983 § 5-3-8.]
6.10.080 Adoption.
In accordance with A.R.S. section 11-1022, Sterilization of Impounded Dogs, and amendments thereto:
A. A dog shall not be released for adoption from a county, city or town pound from an animal shelter unless the dog has been surgically spayed or neutered.
B. The adopting party must sign an agreement to have the dog spayed or neutered within 30 days or before sexual maturity and deposit with the pound or shelter an amount sufficient to ensure that the dog will be sterilized. The pound or shelter shall refund to the adopting party any monies deposited pursuant to the agreement if within the time provided in the agreement there is presented a written statement signed by a licensed veterinarian that the adopted dog has been spayed or neutered. The deposit required for spaying is $50.00 and for neutering is $35.00. If the adopting party does not spay or neuter the dog and provide a receipt to the town within 30 days, the fee is forfeited to the town.
C. The town adopting fee is $15.00, which includes the license fee.
D. Deposit monies that are not refunded must be used in public education to prevent overpopulation of dogs and cats. The animal control division may fund, or help fund, and coordinate public education classes or handouts. [Ord. 47 § 3, 1997. Code 1983 § 5-3-9.]
6.10.090 Rabies epidemic.
Whenever the prevalence of hydrophobia renders such action necessary to protect the public health and safety, the mayor shall issue a proclamation ordering every person owning or keeping a dog to confine it securely on his premises unless it is muzzled so that it cannot bite. No person shall violate such proclamation, and any unmuzzled dog running at large during the time fixed on the proclamation may be destroyed by the animal control officer without notice to the owner. [Ord. 47 § 3, 1997. Code 1983 § 5-3-10.]
6.10.100 Enforcement.
Unless otherwise provided herein, any person found violating any provision of this title shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable in accordance with applicable state law. Any person violating TTC 6.05.030, Public nuisance, 6.05.040, Animals at large, 6.05.070, Disturbing the peace, 6.10.020, Vaccination required, and 6.10.050, Running at large, shall be guilty of a petty offense, punishable in accordance with applicable state law. If any violation be continuing, each day’s violation shall be deemed a separate violation. If any person has two prior petty offense convictions for violations of this title, such person may be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor for any subsequent violation.
Any dog license may be revoked where (1) the owner has received two or more convictions for violations of this title in a 12-month period, (2) the owner has been found guilty of animal cruelty pursuant to ordinance or state law, or (3) the owner has been found guilty of dangerous or vicious dog at large. Upon complaint and after notice to the owner and a civil hearing, the town magistrate may issue an order revoking the license of such owner and order that no new license may be issued for a specified period of time. [Ord. 47 § 3, 1997. Code 1983 § 5-3-11.]