Chapter 8.03
ANIMAL LICENSING
Sections:
8.03.010 License required – Fees.
8.03.020 Application for license.
8.03.030 Tagging a dog not described in application.
8.03.080 Microchip required for license.
8.03.010 License required – Fees.
A. Every person owning, possessing, keeping, harboring or having custody of any dog or cat over four (4) months old shall obtain a license for each dog or cat and appropriate license fees shall be paid annually. Fees and charges shall be established from time to time by resolution of the City Council. Licenses shall be obtained within thirty (30) days after the day upon which the dog or cat is four (4) months old, or within thirty (30) days after acquisition of the dog or cat, or within thirty (30) days of moving into the City.
B. Failure to register and pay the required fee within the term prescribed shall cause such fee to become delinquent and penalties shall be added to the regular fee and collected by the City at the time of such delinquent registration.
C. Upon presentation of a certificate from a licensed veterinarian that the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered or that the dog or cat cannot be spayed or neutered for medical reasons, the registration fee shall be equivalent to at least one-half (0.5) that of the required fee.
D. The license fee may be prepaid for a one (1) year or a three (3) year period; provided, that the applicant presents a valid rabies vaccination certificate extending beyond the remaining period of validity of the license for which the applicant desires.
1. Fifty (50%) percent of revenue from unaltered license fees and fifty (50%) percent of all fines associated with enforcing the licenses of unaltered animals shall be reserved for the following purposes:
a. A program to spay or neuter dogs and cats;
b. A public education program to reduce and prevent the overpopulation of dogs and cats and the related costs to the City;
c. A program to ensure that dogs and cats transferred by the City to any other public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group are spayed or neutered.
E. Exemptions.
1. Government. Dogs owned and used by the City, municipal corporations, or other public agencies shall be licensed without fee.
2. Senior Citizens. Two (2) altered cats or dogs kept in a household where the owner of the cat or dog is over the age of sixty-five (65) shall be licensed without fee.
3. Feral and community cats shall be exempt from licensing requirements.
4. Service animals shall be licensed without fee. [Ord. 4-2013 §3, eff. 4-12-2013; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 48-2008 §3, eff. 11-7-2008]
8.03.020 Application for license.
Application for dog or cat licenses shall be made in writing to the City and shall include the following for each animal: the name and address of owner; address where the dog or cat is kept; name, breed, age, sex, color, and description of the animal; and current rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. [Ord. 4-2013 §3, eff. 4-12-2013; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 48-2008 §3, eff. 11-7-2008]
8.03.030 Tagging a dog not described in application.
It is unlawful for any person to attach a license tag to the collar of any dog except the dog that is described in the application for such license tag. [Ord. 4-2013 §3, eff. 4-12-2013; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 48-2008 §3, eff. 11-7-2008]
8.03.040 Collar and tag.
A. It is unlawful for any person to own, harbor, or keep any dog over the age of four (4) months, unless such person has provided the dog with a suitable collar or other device to which the license shall be securely attached. The dog shall wear the collar and tag at all times that the dog is in the City and not confined indoors or in an enclosed yard or pen.
B. The owner or person in control of the dog shall show the license receipt and tag at any time upon demand by an Animal Control Officer or his or her designee. Refusal to show proper registration upon demand is unlawful. [Ord. 4-2013 §3, eff. 4-12-2013; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 48-2008 §3, eff. 11-7-2008]
8.03.050 Duplicate tags.
Lost license tags may be replaced by surrendering to the City the receipt for the lost license and by paying to the City a fee. This fee shall be established from time to time by resolution of the City Council. After complying with the above provision, the City shall again register the dog, and issue a new license tag. The City shall attach the surrendered receipt to a copy of the new receipt to substantiate the fee collected and verify the transaction. [Ord. 4-2013 §3, eff. 4-12-2013; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 48-2008 §3, eff. 11-7-2008]
8.03.060 Reserved.
[Ord. 4-2013 §3, eff. 4-12-2013]
8.03.070 Violation – Penalty.
Violation of any provision of EGMC Sections 8.03.010 through 8.03.080, inclusive, shall constitute an infraction which shall be enforced pursuant to the provisions of EGMC Chapter 1.04. [Ord. 4-2013 §3, eff. 4-12-2013; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 48-2008 §3, eff. 11-7-2008]
8.03.080 Microchip required for license.
A. As a condition for the issuance of a dog or cat license, all applicants for such license shall procure and deliver a certificate issued by a duly licensed veterinarian, certifying that each dog or cat to be licensed has been administered an anti-rabies vaccination and has had a microchip inserted prior to the issuance of said license for the current license period.
B. The owner of a dog or cat may receive a microchip exemption for their animal upon payment of an annual microchip exemption registration fee as established by resolution of the City Council. [Ord. 4-2013 §3, eff. 4-12-2013; Ord. 17-2009 §5, eff. 9-25-2009]