Chapter 7.04
PET ANIMALS
Sections:
7.04.070 Effect of change of ownership on license—Lost license.
7.04.080 Maximum number of dogs and cats allowed.
7.04.090 Impounding dogs and cats—Procedure and authority.
7.04.100 Impounded dog or cat boarding fee.
7.04.110 Reclaiming procedure—Failure to reclaim.
7.04.120 Reporting found animals.
7.04.130 Injured and diseased animals—Euthanasia.
7.04.150 Dogs at large prohibited.
7.04.170 Pet animals—Taking and/or concealing—Penalty.
7.04.180 Carrying animals on outside part of vehicle.
7.04.010 Purpose.
It is the policy of the city of Shelton to secure and maintain a level of animal control sufficient to protect human health and safety, and to the greatest degree practicable, prevent injury to property. To this end, it is the purpose of this chapter to provide a means of licensing dogs and cats, controlling errant animal behavior and avoiding public nuisance. Nothing in this chapter shall limit or regulate any dog or other animal used by an animal control or law enforcement officer in performing official duties. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003)
7.04.020 Licensing.
A. All dogs and cats kept in the city of Shelton over six months of age shall be licensed annually, except animals that have been implanted with a microchip identification device in which case a lifetime licensing fee applies. Before a license is issued by the city, the owner must provide a rabies vaccination certificate.
B. The following animals are exempt from licensing:
1. Animals kept by registered nonprofit animal welfare organizations;
2. Animals kept in foster homes for dogs and cats that are affiliated with a registered nonprofit animal welfare organization;
3. K-9 officer dogs;
4. Service dogs with proof of rabies certificate. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.030)
7.04.030 Fees.
Licenses shall be issued by the city of Shelton upon application and payment of an annual license fee to the city of Shelton. The annual license fee is due at the time of application. License fees shall be set by resolution and shall offer a reduced fee for animals that are altered and/or microchipped. Microchipped animals are subject to a one-time lifetime licensing fee. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.040)
7.04.040 Term of license.
Licenses shall expire one year after issuance. Licenses issued to microchipped animals shall be in effect for the lifetime of the animal. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.050)
7.04.050 Tags required.
It shall be the duty of the owner to see that the license tag is attached to a suitable collar and kept on the dog or cat. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.060)
7.04.060 Removal of tags.
It is unlawful for any person to remove the license tag from any dog or cat, except:
A. Where there is a lawful change of ownership;
B. When the license tag is being renewed;
C. When the dog or cat is inside the home or securely confined on the property of the legal owner. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.070)
7.04.070 Effect of change of ownership on license—Lost license.
A. It is unlawful for any owner to use any license tag for any dog or cat other than the one for which it has been issued.
B. In case of a transfer of ownership of a licensed dog or cat, the new owner shall apply for a transfer and pay a nominal transfer fee set by resolution.
C. In case of a lost license, the owner shall apply for a replacement license and a nominal replacement fee set by resolution. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.080)
7.04.080 Maximum number of dogs and cats allowed.
No more than four dogs and/or cats over the age of six months may be owned, maintained, kept, or trained at any one residence, for a maximum total of four animals, except in a licensed kennel or cattery which must be sited in accordance with all applicable Shelton Municipal Code zoning provisions. After giving a written warning and a minimum of thirty days to comply, the city may impound animals that are over the maximum number. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.090)
7.04.090 Impounding dogs and cats—Procedure and authority.
A. The city will maintain a suitable pound for dogs and cats and will ensure that all dogs and cats kept in that facility are adequately fed and treated in a humane manner. The city may seize and impound any dog or cat deemed a nuisance or at large, or when any person persists despite a written warning notice in keeping a number of animals over the maximum number allowed by this chapter.
B. The impounding officer shall, upon the impound of any dog or cat, make a complete registry, entering the breed, color and sex of such dog or cat and whether licensed, and the time and place of impound. If licensed, the officer shall also enter the name and address of the owner and the license number from the license tag.
C. The dog’s or cat’s known or reputed owner will be notified of such impound, the procedure to reclaim the dog or cat, and the appeal process as soon as possible. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.100)
7.04.100 Impounded dog or cat boarding fee.
If any dog or cat is held in impound for more than twenty-four hours, the owner will be charged a boarding fee for each additional day that the dog or cat is in impound. Such fee will be set by resolution and will be assessed as of ten a.m. of each day, beginning on the second day after the dog’s or cat’s impound. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.110)
7.04.110 Reclaiming procedure—Failure to reclaim.
A. Reclaim Period. Legal owners and persons authorized by legal owners may redeem impounded dogs and cats within three business days from the date the city notifies the owner that the animal has been impounded.
B. Requirements for Reclaiming. Any person wishing to reclaim a dog or cat must be eighteen years or older with proof of age, provide proof of legal ownership or verifiable permission from the owner to reclaim the animal, and bring a collar and leash or crate to securely transport the animal. City residents must license the animal and pay any unpaid licensing fees before the animal may be reclaimed. Impound fees and boarding fees shall be due at the time the animal is reclaimed.
C. Adoption. If the dog or cat is not reclaimed by the owner within three business days after the owner is notified, any other person may adopt the dog or cat by paying the fee set by resolution. The adoption fee shall include a spay or neuter of the dog or cat and a rabies vaccination to be arranged by the city of Shelton before the animal is released to the adopting owner. If the adopting owner is a city resident, the dog or cat shall be licensed in the city prior to adoption.
D. Disposition. Within the discretion of the city, if the dog or cat is not reclaimed by the owner within three business days and a reasonably prompt adoption is not arranged, the dog or cat may be transferred to a registered nonprofit animal welfare organization if the animal is suitable for adoption, or else euthanized by a licensed veterinarian. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.120)
7.04.120 Reporting found animals.
Anyone finding a dog or cat shall notify animal control or the owner directly, if the owner is able to be determined. Finders shall not keep or rehome found animals except upon agreement by the animal control officer to foster the animal. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022)
7.04.130 Injured and diseased animals—Euthanasia.
Any animal in the possession of the city that is obviously diseased or has been seriously injured and would otherwise continue to suffer shall be taken to a licensed veterinarian for consultation and, if necessary, euthanized. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.150)
7.04.140 Nuisance.
It is unlawful for any owner or custodian of a dog or cat to allow the dog or cat to become a nuisance within the city of Shelton. For the purposes of this chapter, “nuisance” is defined as follows:
A. Any dog which by frequent or habitual howling, whining, yelping, or barking unreasonably disturbs the peace and quiet of persons in the neighborhood continually for at least thirty minutes;
B. Any dog or cat which causes measurable or costly damage to any property other than that of its owner;
C. Animals that deposit waste on public property or upon private property without the permission of the owner;
D. Dogs that chase vehicles, bicycles, people, or pets. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.160)
7.04.150 Dogs at large prohibited.
It is unlawful for any person to allow any dog owned or kept by him/her in the city of Shelton to stray beyond the owner or custodian’s premises. Any time a dog is outside of the owner or custodian’s premises, the dog shall be controlled by a leash or chain not exceeding eight feet in length that is joined to the owner or a duly authorized and competent person; provided, however, that such restraint is not required for any dog when safely and securely held by the owner or confined or controlled in a vehicle. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.170)
7.04.160 Dogs in city parks.
No owner or custodian of a dog shall allow an unleashed dog to enter any city of Shelton park, except in designated off-leash areas and in accordance with the rules for that area. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.180)
7.04.170 Pet animals—Taking and/or concealing—Penalty.
Any person who, with intent to deprive or defraud the owner thereof, takes, leads away, confines, secretes, or converts any pet animal, or conceals the identity of any pet animal or the identity of such animal’s owner by obscuring or removing from the animal any collar, tag, license, tattoo, or other means of identification, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.200)
7.04.180 Carrying animals on outside part of vehicle.
It shall be unlawful for any person to transport any living animal on the running board, fenders, hood, truck bed, or other outside part of any vehicle unless restrained by a suitable harness, cage or enclosure that is attached to the vehicle so as to protect such animal from falling or being thrown from the vehicle. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022)
7.04.190 Violation—Penalties.
Unless otherwise set forth in this chapter, a violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute a Class 3 civil infraction per Chapter 7.80 RCW for a first offense; a Class 2 civil infraction per Chapter 7.80 RCW for a second offense; and a Class 1 civil infraction per Chapter 7.80 RCW for a third offense. Subsequent violations shall constitute a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of one thousand dollars or ninety days in jail. (Ord. 1983-0122 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1601-0903 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1589-0403 § 1 (part), 2003. Formerly 7.04.220)