Chapter 6.32
DOGS
Sections:
6.32.020 Leashes required – Exemptions.
6.32.040 License required – Exceptions.
6.32.050 Licenses – Annual issuance.
6.32.060 License application – Vaccination certificate required.
6.32.070 License – Fees – Exceptions.
6.32.080 Proof of neutering or spaying required.
6.32.090 License – Fee for late payment.
6.32.100 Licenses – Fees – Applicability to nonresidents.
6.32.110 License receipts – Contents.
6.32.120 License tags – Form and content.
6.32.130 License tag – Placement requirements.
6.32.140 Duplicate license tags.
6.32.150 License tags – Transferability.
6.32.160 Commercial kennel – License required – Issuance – Fee.
6.32.170 Kennels – Dog licensing requirements.
6.32.180 Kennels – Dog vaccination requirements.
6.32.190 Licenses – Unlawful conduct designated.
6.32.200 Dog bites – Report required – Impoundment – Procedures.
Prior legislation: Ords. 231, 329, 408, 467, 495, 3-87 and 4-87.
6.32.020 Leashes required – Exemptions.
While away from the premises, dogs shall at all times be controlled or be at heel or be controlled by means of a leash not exceeding eight feet in length, by the owner or some duly authorized and responsible competent person; provided, however, that such leash or chain is not required for any dog when otherwise safely and securely confined or completely controlled while in or upon any vehicle. This section shall not apply to dogs which are in areas which may be designated by the city as dog training areas and so long as the regulations of the city with respect to the use of such areas are complied with, and the dogs are under custody and control of a competent trainer. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 22-05 § 21, 2005; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.030 Prohibited offenses.
No dog shall be permitted or allowed to commit the following offenses on any premises or property, private or public:
A. Bite or attempt to bite any person;
B. Destroy private or public property;
C. Scatter refuse;
D. Chase vehicles; or
E. Commit any nuisance defined in this title or any other ordinance or law. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.040 License required – Exceptions.
Except as provided in WRMC 6.32.170, no owner shall keep or permit any dog over seven months of age within the city unless such dog is licensed and a license tag is attached as provided in this chapter. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 22-05 § 22, 2005; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.050 Licenses – Annual issuance.
Licenses shall be issued by the city for either a one- or three-year period. Citizens may opt to license for only one year, even if the animal has a three-year rabies vaccination. To qualify for a three-year license, rabies vaccination must be administered less than 60 days prior to the issuance of the new license. Each license is valid for one or three years based on the expiration date of the current license. License will be issued upon payment of the required license fee. The license shall be valid 30 days after the expiration of the current license. [Ord. 22-18 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 3-90 § 1, 1990; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.060 License application – Vaccination certificate required.
Before a license is issued for any dog, the owner must present a certificate verifying that the dog had been vaccinated against rabies. Such certificate of vaccination shall be signed by a licensed veterinarian and shall show that the vaccination is valid at the time of licensing. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 5-98 § 1, 1998; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.070 License – Fees – Exceptions.
Fees for licenses will be established by the city council from time to time and must be paid before the issuance of the license.
A. Exceptions.
1. Guide dogs trained to assist blind persons: as set by council;
2. Dogs owned by low-income senior citizens: the first dog shall be issued a license tag as set by council, provided the application can show proof of a rabies vaccination in accordance with provisions of this title. All dogs owned by the applicant, other than the first dog, shall be licensed by the city in accordance with the terms of this title at the regular rate for licenses as set forth. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 22-05 § 23, 2005; Ord. 5-98 § 2, 1998; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.080 Proof of neutering or spaying required.
As proof that a dog has been neutered or spayed, the licensing applicant shall exhibit to the licenser a certificate from a licensed veterinarian to that effect. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.090 License – Fee for late payment.
Any dog license issued after 30 days of the expiration of the current license shall be assessed a penalty as set by council; however:
A. Newly acquired dogs over the age of seven months must be vaccinated and licensed within 30 days of acquisition.
B. Any dog reaching seven months of age must be licensed by that date.
C. The city council may, by resolution, extend the period of time in which dog licenses may be obtained without payment of the late penalty. [Ord. 22-18 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 22-05 § 25, 2005; Ord. 3-90 § 2, 1990; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.100 Licenses – Fees – Applicability to nonresidents.
The license fee shall not apply to dogs owned by nonresidents temporarily within the city for a period of not more than 30 days, but shall apply to the dogs of owners becoming a resident of the city within the 30 days after establishing such residence. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.110 License receipts – Contents.
The city shall provide license receipts which provide space for the following information: rabies tag number; date of expiration of rabies tag; breed, color, sex, age, and name of dog; owner’s name, address, telephone number; and the amount of the license fee. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.120 License tags – Form and content.
The city shall provide license tags bearing numbers corresponding with those of the license receipts. The shape of the tag will vary from year to year. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.130 License tag – Placement requirements.
The owner shall cause a valid license tag to be permanently affixed to the collar of the dog so that the license tag is in such a position that it may be easily seen by animal control officers. The owner shall cause the tag to be worn by such dog at all times. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.140 Duplicate license tags.
In the event any license tag is lost, a duplicate shall be issued by the city upon the presentation of a corresponding receipt and upon payment of a fee as set by council. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.150 License tags – Transferability.
License tags shall not be transferable. No refund shall be made of any dog license fee for any reason. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.160 Commercial kennel – License required – Issuance – Fee.
A. No person shall maintain a commercial kennel within the city without having a valid license thereof posted in plain view of the premises. The city shall issue such commercial kennel licenses upon payment as set by council. No license shall be issued for a commercial kennel located in violation of any zoning regulations governing the location of commercial kennels or operated in violation of any other law.
B. The original copy of the kennel license shall be delivered to the applicant; a copy shall be retained by the city. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.170 Kennels – Dog licensing requirements.
Any dog kept in a licensed kennel need not be individually licensed; provided, that at all times when not securely confined in the kennel the dog is kept on a suitable leash. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.180 Kennels – Dog vaccination requirements.
A kennel license shall cause all dogs over six months of age kept in the kennel to be vaccinated against rabies. Any dog for which evidence of such vaccination cannot be produced shall be impounded. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.190 Licenses – Unlawful conduct designated.
It is unlawful to counterfeit or alter any licenses, license receipt, or license tag provided for in this chapter, or to take from any other dog a license tag legally placed upon that dog with the intent to place it upon another dog, or to place upon a dog a license tag not validly issued for such dog. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.200 Dog bites – Report required – Impoundment – Procedures.
A. Every dog bite shall be reported to the public health officer, who may investigate the case and may order the offending dog to be impounded at any time during the 10 days following the date of the bite.
B. If the dog is impounded and after 10 days following the date of the bite no rabies is present or suspected in the dog, the dog may be released to the owner upon payment of the impounding fees and boarding fees, any license due and compliance with the rabies vaccination provisions of this chapter.
C. If rabies is present or suspected by the health officer, the dog shall be destroyed and the head preserved for laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis by the public health officer.
D. If the health officer orders a dog impounded at any time during the 10 days following the date of the bite, the owner of the dog may request said impounding to be at a licensed veterinarian’s establishment at his own expense. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 22-05 § 26, 2005; Ord. 6-87 § 1, 1987].
6.32.210 Penalty.
A. Any violation of WRMC 6.32.030 shall be a gross misdemeanor, which, upon conviction, shall be punishable by a fine not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 365 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
B. With the exception of WRMC 6.32.030, the violation of any other provision of this chapter shall be a civil infraction. Unless matters in aggravation warrant a greater civil penalty, each violation shall be subject to a minimum penalty in the amount listed plus any court costs assessed by the Benton County district court.
1. First violation within one year: $75.00.
2. Second or more violations within one year: $150.00.
C. Each person is guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of the provisions of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by any such person. [Ord. 45-13 § 1 (Att. A), 2013; Ord. 34-12 § 2 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 22-05 § 27, 2005].