Chapter 6.12
REGISTRATION AND LICENSING
Sections:
6.12.010 Animal registration generally.
6.12.020 Guard or attack dog registration – Penalty.
6.12.030 Dangerous animals and potentially dangerous dogs – Penalty.
6.12.040 Dog kennel licensing – Penalty.
6.12.060 Failure to obtain, display or produce registration or license – Penalty.
6.12.070 Removing identification.
6.12.080 Transfer of animal ownership.
6.12.100 Dangerous animals or potentially dangerous dogs – Determination.
6.12.110 Dangerous animals and potentially dangerous dogs – Registration required.
6.12.120 Requirements for restraint – Penalties.
6.12.130 Dangerous animals – Detention.
6.12.140 Potentially dangerous dogs – Detention.
6.12.150 Animal control facility.
6.12.010 Animal registration generally.
A. The following animals shall be registered with the animal control authority: (1) all dogs within the city; (2) guard and attack dogs; (3) dangerous animals and potentially dangerous dogs. Any other animal may, at the owner’s option, be registered with the animal control authority. A registration is not transferable.
B. Application for registration shall be made on forms approved by the city council and provided by the clerk, and shall be accompanied by applicable registration fees and all other information required by the animal control authority.
C. Registration shall be in the name of the owner and shall be numbered. Registration shall be evidenced by implanted electronic identification or by an identification tag. The identification tag shall be inscribed with “City of Rock Island,” a number corresponding to the registration, and the registration expiration date. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.020 Guard or attack dog registration – Penalty.
A. No person shall own, harbor, or use a guard dog or attack dog within the city without first obtaining a certificate of registration. The applicant for the guard or attack dog license shall certify the following information to the animal control authority:
1. Compliance with RCW 16.08.080 which is incorporated herein by this reference as if fully set forth, as now exists or as may be hereafter amended;
2. The name and address of the owner of the guard dog or attack dog, a description of the dog, and the address and business name for the premises the dog will guard;
3. The name and address of the dog’s trainer and the dog’s purveyor;
4. That the premises the dog will guard are adequately secured for safety of the public;
5. That signs are displayed on the premises at all entrances clearly warning that a guard or attack dog is on duty;
6. That the user of the guard or attack dog is adequately trained to handle the dog and is aware of and understands the aggressive nature of the dog;
7. Registration shall be made with Douglas County Fire District No. 2. Compliance with the posting and registration requirements of the provisions of RCW 48.48.150, which is hereby adopted by this reference, as now exists or as may be hereafter amended.
B. The animal control authority shall notify all emergency services providers, including the city law enforcement, sheriff, fire department and ambulance services, of all premises on which guard dogs and attack dogs are located.
C. The willful refusal to register a guard dog or attack dog pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be punishable as a gross misdemeanor. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.030 Dangerous animals and potentially dangerous dogs – Penalty.
All dangerous animals and potentially dangerous dogs within the city shall be registered pursuant to RIMC 6.12.110. The willful refusal to register a dangerous animal or a potentially dangerous dog pursuant to RIMC 6.12.110 shall be punishable as a gross misdemeanor. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.040 Dog kennel licensing – Penalty.
No person shall maintain a dog kennel within the city without having first obtained a dog kennel license for the premises. The animal control authority shall authorize a dog kennel license only after it has been determined that:
A. The dog kennel is permitted by the city zoning code or a conditional use permit has been granted to the owner for such use;
B. The proposed dog kennel conforms to the provisions of this title; and
C. The Chelan-Douglas County health department has determined that the premises proposed to be licensed and the proposed dog kennel are consistent with state laws and the department’s rules and regulations and the dog kennel is not contrary to public health, safety or welfare.
The failure to obtain a dog kennel license pursuant to this section shall constitute an infraction subject to a civil penalty pursuant to Chapter 6.16 RIMC. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.050 Fees.
A. Annual registration fees as set forth in this section shall be due on or before January 31st of each year and subject to a late fee penalty for failure to pay by January 31st.
B. The following fees shall be set by resolution of the city council:
1. Dog registration and renewal fee, with registration identification tag, altered.
2. Dog registration and renewal fee, with registration identification tag, not altered.
3. Dog registration and renewal fee, with electronic identification, altered.
4. Dog registration and renewal fee, with electronic identification, not altered.
5. Voluntary animal registration fee, with registration identification tag.
6. Voluntary animal registration fee, with electronic identification.
7. Dog kennel license fee.
8. Guard dog or attack dog registration fee.
9. Dangerous animal registration fee.
10. Potentially dangerous dog registration fee.
11. Late fee penalty.
12. Registration fee discounts for senior citizens and disabled persons.
C. The animal control authority is hereby authorized to impose the following administrative fees, based upon actual cost and related indirect costs, including, but not limited to, detention fee, daily boarding fee, adoption fee, vaccination fees, lost identification tag replacement fee, and veterinary fees including but not limited to euthanasia fees. Other applicable fees which may be incurred shall be established by city council resolution. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.060 Failure to obtain, display or produce registration or license – Penalty.
It is unlawful for the owner of an animal to:
A. Fail to obtain any registration or license required by this chapter;
B. Fail to display the registration identification tag or maintain electronic identification on the animal.
C. Fail to produce the animal’s registration upon the request of any animal control officer or law enforcement officer.
A violation of any of the foregoing subsections shall constitute an infraction subject to a civil penalty pursuant to Chapter 6.16 RIMC. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.070 Removing identification.
A. It is unlawful for any person, other than the owner, to remove a registration identification tag or electronic identification from an animal, or to obliterate an identification tattoo.
B. It is unlawful for any person to transfer a registration identification tag or electronic identification from one animal to another.
C. A violation of any of the foregoing subsections shall constitute an infraction subject to a civil penalty pursuant to Chapter 6.16 RIMC, as now exists or as may be hereafter amended. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.080 Transfer of animal ownership.
Upon the sale or other transfer of ownership of any animal registered under this chapter, the new owner shall report the sale or transfer to the city clerk of the city of Rock Island within five days. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.090 Disposition of fees.
All registration, license, administrative and other fees collected pursuant to this chapter shall be paid each month by the animal control authority to the animal control account of the city. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.100 Dangerous animals or potentially dangerous dogs – Determination.
A. The animal control authority may determine that an animal is a dangerous animal as defined in RIMC 6.04.030.
B. The animal control authority may determine that a dog is a potentially dangerous dog, as defined in RIMC 6.04.030.
C. A dog shall not be declared dangerous or potentially dangerous if the threat, injury, or damage was sustained by a person who, at the time, was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises occupied by the owner of the dog, or was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog, or has, in the past, been observed or reported to have tormented, abused, or assaulted the dog, or as committing or attempting to commit a crime.
D. Any person aggrieved by the determination of the animal control authority regarding a dangerous animal or a potentially dangerous dog may, within 10 calendar days of the written decision, appeal to the Rock Island city council. The appeal shall be in writing and shall be filed with the city clerk, with copies served on the animal control authority and the city attorney. A hearing on the appeal shall be held by the city council within 30 calendar days from the date of filing. The city council may affirm, modify or reverse the determination of the animal control authority. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.110 Dangerous animals and potentially dangerous dogs – Registration required.
A. It is unlawful for any person to have a dangerous animal or potentially dangerous dog within the city without first obtaining a certificate of registration issued under this chapter. This prohibition shall not apply to any police dog, as defined in RCW 4.24.410, to any facility processing or maintaining animals and which is owned, operated or maintained by any city, county, state or federal agency; nor to any licensed veterinary hospital in which an animal may be temporarily confined for treatment. The animal control authority may issue a special permit, not to exceed 30 days’ duration, for the keeping of a dangerous animal for shows or special exhibits.
B. A certificate of registration to have a dangerous animal shall be issued by the animal control authority only upon receiving the registration fee as established by city council resolution and providing sufficient evidence that:
1. There is a secure enclosure to confine the animal which, during any absence of the owner or keeper, will safely confine the animal.
2. The premises are posted with clearly visible warning signs stating that a dangerous animal is on the property and which display a conspicuous symbol informing and warning children of the presence of a dangerous animal.
3. A surety bond issued by a surety insurer qualified under Chapter 48.28 RCW, as now exists or as may be hereafter amended, and in a form acceptable to the animal control authority in the sum of at least $50,000, conditioned upon payment of damages to any person injured by the animal; or a policy of liability insurance issued by an insurer qualified under Title 48 RCW in the amount of at least $50,000 which specifically provides coverage for any and all personal injuries inflicted by the animal.
C. A certificate of registration to harbor a potentially dangerous dog shall be issued by the animal control authority only upon receiving the registration fee as established by city council resolution and providing sufficient evidence that:
1. There is a secure enclosure on the premises which, during any absence of the owner or keeper, will safely confine the dog.
2. The premises are posted with clearly visible warning signs stating that a dangerous dog is on the property and which display a conspicuous symbol informing and warning children of the presence of a dangerous dog. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.120 Requirements for restraint – Penalties.
A. It is unlawful for a dangerous animal to be outside a secure enclosure unless the animal is muzzled, restrained by a substantial chain or leash, and under the physical restraint of a responsible person. The muzzle shall be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration but shall prevent it from biting any person or animal. A violation of this subsection shall be punishable as a gross misdemeanor.
B. It is unlawful for a potentially dangerous dog to be outside a secure enclosure unless the animal is restrained by a substantial chain or leash and under the physical restraint of a responsible person. A violation of this subsection shall be punishable as a gross misdemeanor. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.130 Dangerous animals – Detention.
A dangerous animal may be immediately confiscated by an animal control officer if:
A. No certificate of registration has been issued for the animal; or
B. The owner has failed to comply with any condition of a certificate of registration; or
C. The insurance policy or surety bond required by the certificate of registration is canceled, expired or lapsed; or
D. The animal is outside a secure enclosure without the restraints required by RIMC 6.12.120. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.140 Potentially dangerous dogs – Detention.
Any potentially dangerous dog may be immediately detained by an animal control officer if:
A. No certificate of registration has been issued for the dog;
B. The owner has failed to comply with any condition of a certificate of registration; or
C. The dog is outside a secure enclosure without the restraints required by RIMC 6.12.120. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.12.150 Animal control facility.
The animal control officer shall, upon detaining any animal, make complete registry thereof, entering the species, breed, color, sex, the time and place of impoundment, registration number, and, if registered, the name and address of the owner. No animal detained at the animal control facility shall be used, sold, loaned or given away for medical or research purposes, whether the animal is dead or alive. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).