Chapter 6.04
DOGS
Sections:
6.04.050 License – Fees – Kennel operator defined.
6.04.060 License – Application.
6.04.070 Issuance and use of tag.
6.04.080 Running at large prohibited.
6.04.090 Procedure for impounding, redeeming and disposing of dogs.
6.04.095 Procedure for impounding and disposing of dogs who have been relinquished by their owners.
6.04.110 Waiver of license fee.
6.04.120 Veterinarian excepted.
6.04.130 Authority of deputy or agent.
6.04.140 Rabies certification.
6.04.150 Delinquent date – Penalty – Exceptions.
6.04.010 Title.
This chapter shall be known as the “dog ordinance” of the city and may be referred to by that title. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the words set forth in this section shall have the following meanings:
A. “Dog,” as used in this chapter, means either male or female.
B. “Owner” means any person or legal entity having a possessory property right in a dog or who harbors, cares for, exercises control over, or knowingly permits any animal to remain on premises occupied by them.
C. “Household” means a single-family residence, or one unit in a duplex or other multifamily residential building. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.030 License – Required.
It is unlawful for any person to own, possess or harbor a dog in the city without first having obtained a license therefor in compliance with the provisions set forth in this chapter; except, a license shall not be required for dogs under the age of six months. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.040 License – Term.
The license shall be annual by the calendar year and shall be issued by the city clerk to expire on December 31st of each year. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2)
6.04.050 License – Fees – Kennel operator defined.
Annual license fees for dogs and kennels shall be as follows:
A. For each dog the fee shall be the sum of $25.00, except spayed or neutered dogs, for which the fee shall be $15.00.
B. The maximum number of dogs over the age of six months old within the city limits shall be three per household.
C. More than three dogs per household, whether owned for pleasure, profit, breeding or exhibiting, shall be deemed a dog kennel and shall not be allowed, except in those areas of the city designated as AG agricultural in Chapter 17.40 GMC.
D. For each dog kennel the sum of $100.00, plus the license fee for each dog as provided in subsection A of this section. (Ord. 2012-1 § 3; Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.060 License – Application.
Each applicant for a license shall file with the clerk of the city an application upon forms provided by the clerk, which shall disclose the owner’s name, address, the name of the dog to be licensed, the age of the dog, its sex, and whether or not it has been spayed or neutered, and such other information as the clerk deems advisable. The clerk shall enter upon the application the serial number of the license issued pursuant thereto and the expiration date thereof. The application forms shall be filed by the clerk and shall constitute the city’s registry of dog licenses. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.070 Issuance and use of tag.
Upon the payment of the fee prescribed and upon completion of the application form the clerk shall cause to be issued to the party paying the fee a tag inscribed with the year of issue, the nature of the license, and the serial or registration number. The tags shall be varied in size and shape from year to year. The purchaser of the license shall cause tags to be properly attached to the collar of the dog licensed thereby, and the tag shall at all times be worn by said dog thereby licensed. It is unlawful to transfer the tag from one dog to another. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.080 Running at large prohibited.
A. No dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, muzzled or not muzzled, shall be allowed off the premises of the owner unless on a suitable, dependable lead not longer than six feet.
B. No dog shall be permitted in any public park or schoolgrounds in the city except as provided in GMC 12.20.060 and except when dogs are allowed on a leash at events approved by the city. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.090 Procedure for impounding, redeeming and disposing of dogs.
Any dog or dogs running at large and unattended by the owner or his agent having control over the dog shall immediately be impounded by any officer of the city or animal control officer appointed for that purpose, or by any landowner upon his own premises. The dog or dogs so impounded shall be immediately confined in the city animal shelter, and shall be under the supervision of the animal control officer, who shall cause to be kept a record disclosing the description of the dog, the date and place of apprehension, and the owner, if known. If the owner is known, the animal control officer shall, by postal card, notify the owner, at his last known address, to redeem the dog within three days of the date of apprehension and pay the sum of $10.00 for the first apprehension and $25.00 for each succeeding apprehension, together with the sum of $10.00 for each day or part of day that the dog has been in the city pound. In addition to such fees and cost, the owner shall pay, before release of the dog, all outstanding fines imposed by the city for current and prior citations for violation of GMC 6.04.080. If the payment is so made and the dog properly licensed as prescribed in this chapter, the dog may be released to the owner. If the owner fails to redeem the dog within three days, the animal control officer shall elect to declare the city the owner of the dog and may dispose of the dog either by destroying the dog or by turning the dog over to the county Humane Society or other accredited animal resource group for disposition. In the event the owner claims the dog after the three-day period, but prior to the dog’s destruction or other disposition, the animal control officer may allow the owner to redeem the dog if payments called for in this section have been paid. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.095 Procedure for impounding and disposing of dogs who have been relinquished by their owners.
In the event a dog owner wishes to relinquish an animal to the city, said owner shall sign a release form in such form as is approved by the city. Upon the owner’s signature on said release form, the provisions of GMC 6.04.090 or 6.12.080 do not apply, and the city may give away, sell or dispose of the animal immediately without notice or posting of notice to the owner. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.100 Disposition of fees.
All moneys collected as dog license fees, animal shelter fees and so forth shall be expended for the efficient maintenance of the shelter, for the enforcement of this chapter, and for other dog purposes; and any surplus after December 31st of each year shall be transferred to the current expense fund of the city. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.110 Waiver of license fee.
The license fee for any dog used or owned to assist persons of impaired vision shall be waived upon application to the city clerk. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.120 Veterinarian excepted.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the maintenance of dogs for medical treatment by a licensed veterinarian. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.130 Authority of deputy or agent.
Any act authorized to be done by a city official may be performed by his deputy or person authorized by said official. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.140 Rabies certification.
No license will be issued for any dog unless the applicant shows a statement from a qualified practitioner that the dog has had its rabies shots, or that the applicant signs a statement accepting the responsibility for the dog having been vaccinated for rabies within the last three years. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.150 Delinquent date – Penalty – Exceptions.
Annual license fees required under this chapter shall be paid on or before March 31st of each year. Unless excepted herein, a $5.00 late payment charge shall be added to said license fee after the due date. Exception: Upon proof of the date of acquisition, dogs acquired after March 31st in the license year may be licensed within 30 days of acquisition without penalty. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).
6.04.160 Violation – Penalty.
Any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter, upon conviction thereof, shall be deemed guilty of a civil infraction, and shall be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00. (Ord. 2008-10 § 2).