Chapter 6.08
ANIMAL LICENSES
Sections:
6.08.010 Cat and dog licenses.
6.08.020 Cat and dog license fees.
6.08.030 Special permanent license.
6.08.040 License fee exemptions.
6.08.050 Transferability of licenses.
6.08.070 Removal of license tag.
6.08.100 Impounding unlicensed dogs and/or cats.
6.08.110 Penalty for violation.
6.08.010 Cat and dog licenses.
A. Pet Licenses. All adult dogs and cats shall be licensed within thirty calendar days from the date the owner acquires the animal or takes up residence in the city of Poulsbo. Licenses may be obtained for one-year or lifetime durations, with the exception of unaltered pets, for whom only one-year licenses may be issued. Licenses shall be obtained from the animal control authority, which shall be responsible for collecting the license fees established by Section 6.08.020.
B. License Expiration. Lifetime licenses never expire and run the lifespan of the animal. For one-year licenses, they shall expire one calendar year from the date of issuance.
C. Exemptions from License. The following are exempt from the requirement to obtain a license:
1. Cats and dogs in the temporary custody of a veterinarian or animal welfare organization whose owners are unknown; or
2. Cats and dogs owned by the owner or operator of a licensed commercial pet facility or hobbyist facility.
D. Cat and Dog License Procedure.
1. Issuance of Licenses. The animal control authority or the authorized agents thereof shall issue licenses pursuant to this section as specified in this section.
2. Contents of License. The license shall contain the following:
a. Date of issuance and date of expiration;
b. A serial number;
c. Type of animal, its name, age, color(s), sex, breed/mix, distinguishing characteristics, and whether the animal is spayed or neutered;
d. The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the animal;
e. Permanent identification number or marking, such as microchip implant, if applicable;
f. The corresponding microchip identification number, if applicable.
3. License Tag.
a. With each license, the owner shall receive a license tag that shall indicate city of Poulsbo on it, contain the serial number that corresponds to the serial number on the license and the date of license expiration; provided, lifetime licenses shall not include an expiration date.
b. The license tag shall be worn at all times except during a hunt or sanctioned cat or dog show or while engaged in formal, recognized training.
4. Lost Tags. Lost license tags may be replaced by a substitute license or tag upon application to the animal control authority and payment of a replacement charge to be established by resolution of the Poulsbo city council.
5. Rabies Vaccination Verification. Rabies vaccination verification shall be required with all licenses and renewals. This verification may take the form of written verification, a signed affidavit by the owner or other legal method to ensure compliance. (Ord. 2015-06 § 1, 2015: Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 2, 2007: Ord. 74-18 § 1, 1974)
6.08.020 Cat and dog license fees.
License fees shall be established by resolution of the Poulsbo city council. (Ord. 2015-06 § 2, 2015: Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 3, 2007: Ord. 2006-18 § 1, 2006; Ord. 2003-16 § 21, 2003; Ord. 2000-26 § 1, 2000; Ord. 85-31 § 2, 1985: Ord. 78-16 § 1, 1978: Ord. 74-18 § 2, 1974)
6.08.030 Special permanent license.
Provided that the animals are not used for commercial purposes or designated as a dangerous dog, city of Poulsbo residents sixty-five years of age or older or who qualify as low-income disabled shall be entitled to purchase a permanent license for spayed or neutered dogs and cats for the lifetime of the animal for which they are the registered owners when said animals are maintained at said owner’s address. Such residents shall not be required to annually purchase a new license for the lifetime of such licensed animals; provided, that no person shall be granted more than three permanent animal licenses for any combination of cats or dogs for which they are registered owners. As used in this section, the term “low income disabled resident” means a person whose total household income is at or below one hundred twenty-five percent of the federally established poverty level as provided in RCW 70.164.020(4) as enacted or hereinafter amended, and who is (A) a person qualifying for special parking privileges under RCW 46.16.381(1)(a) through (f) as enacted or hereinafter amended; or (B) a blind person as defined in RCW 74.18.020 as enacted or hereinafter amended; or (C) as enacted or hereinafter amended, a disabled, handicapped, or incapacitated person as defined under any other state or federal program. All statutes or regulations referred to in the previous sentence are as the same now exist or as they may be hereafter amended. To qualify for this special permanent license, individuals must provide proof of income and proof of permanent disability. Proof of disability must be in the form of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Identification Card or other documentation showing at least a thirty percent disability, a Washington Department of Licensing parking placard issued for permanent disability under RCW 46.16.381 as enacted or hereinafter amended, or such other means as the city or animal control authority may deem sufficient for purposes of proving permanent disability. (Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 4, 2007: Ord. 74-18 § 3, 1974)
6.08.040 License fee exemptions.
A. Licenses and license tags shall be provided free of charge by the animal control authority to service dogs properly trained to assist the disabled and police working dogs and fire accelerant dogs as follows:
1. When such dogs are actually used by the disabled for the purpose of aiding the disabled in going from place to place;
2. To pups and young dogs being raised and trained as guide or service dogs for the disabled;
3. To police working dogs when the dogs are actively being used for such purpose; or
4. To dogs currently being trained for the purpose of aiding the disabled in a school or program which has been approved or accredited by a professional organization or association, either for profit or not for profit.
B. The licensing agents, in writing such licenses, shall insert the words “service dog,” “police working dog,” or “fire accelerant dog” in the space allotted for and in place of a stated fee. (Ord. 2015-06 § 3, 2015: Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 5, 2007: Ord. 2006-18 § 2, 2006: Ord. 74-18 § 4, 1974)
6.08.050 Transferability of licenses.
Licenses are not transferable from one cat or dog to another, but may be transferred from an original owner to a new owner; provided, that the new owner records the transfer with the licensing agent within fourteen calendar days and assumes responsibility for all future license fees while maintaining ownership of the cat or dog. (Ord. 2015-06 § 4, 2015: Ord. 85-31 § 3, 1985: Ord. 74-18 § 5, 1974)
6.08.070 Removal of license tag.
It is unlawful for any person other than the owner or keeper, or an officer of the animal control authority in conjunction with official duties, to remove a license tag from any dog or cat licensed under the provisions of this chapter. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. (Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 7, 2007: Ord. 74-18 § 7, 1974)
6.08.080 Reciprocation.
The city of Poulsbo shall honor a current license held by an owner or keeper moving into the city from elsewhere in Kitsap County, if the other relevant sections of this chapter are complied with. (Ord. 74-18 § 8, 1974)
6.08.100 Impounding unlicensed dogs and/or cats.
Whenever an unlicensed dog or cat is found within the city, it may be taken up and impounded by an officer of the animal control agency or officer of the city, and an infraction may be issued to the owner of such dog or cat or the person having the custody and control of such dog or cat. The owner is subject to boarding charges as set forth in this title, in addition to all penalties set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 8, 2007: Ord. 74-18 § 10, 1974)
6.08.110 Penalty for violation.
A. Any person who violates Section 6.08.010 shall be guilty of a civil infraction with a maximum monetary penalty limited to a fine in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars; provided, that if the person presents evidence of a valid license obtained subsequent to the issuance of the infraction hereunder to the Poulsbo municipal court and prior to entry of a finding of committed, the infraction may be dismissed, except that the Poulsbo municipal court may assess court administrative costs of twenty-five dollars at the time of dismissal. A monetary penalty of fifty-two dollars shall be imposed for failure to respond to the infraction.
B. Unless specifically designated in this title as a civil infraction, gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor or is specified to be enforced pursuant to other law, including, but not limited to, other chapters or titles of this code, any violation of this chapter is a civil infraction and the penalty amount is two hundred fifty dollars, not including statutory assessments.
C. Such penalty is in addition to any other remedies or penalties specifically provided by law. For each act herein prohibited of a continuing nature, each day shall be considered a separate offense.
D. Any person who fails to respond or appear on any violation of any provision of the Poulsbo Municipal Code set forth in this title shall be assessed a failure to respond or appear fee in the amount set forth in RCW 46.63.110(3), as the same now exists or as may be hereafter amended, which statute is incorporated herein by this reference as if fully set forth.
E. If a time pay agreement is requested, a fee of not to exceed ten dollars per charge or twenty-five dollars per payment plan may be imposed. (Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 9, 2007)