This section is enacted pursuant to the authority conferred on the Town Board by Agriculture and Markets Law §§ 109 through 110.
A.
The owner of any dog shall immediately make application for a dog license if:
B.
Application for a dog license shall be made to the Clerk. The Town Board by resolution to be kept on file in the Clerk's Office may authorize an animal shelter manager to accept dog license applications and collect the appropriate fees on behalf of the Town. No other person or entity shall have the ability to issue dog licenses for dogs harbored within the Town.
C.
The owner of the dog shall submit to the Clerk a statement certified by a licensed veterinarian showing that the dog or dogs have been vaccinated to prevent rabies or, in lieu thereof, a statement certified by a licensed veterinarian stating that because of old age or other reason, the life of the dog or dogs would be endangered by the administration of the vaccine. With such statement, the owner shall state the current identification number of the dog or any identification marks on the dog, if any, and the sex, age, breed, and color of the dog.
D.
In the case of a spayed or neutered dog, the owner shall also submit a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian or an affidavit signed by the owner, showing that the dog has been spayed or neutered, provided such certificate or affidavit shall not be required if the same is on file with the Clerk. In lieu of the spay or neuter certificate, an owner may present a statement certified by a licensed veterinarian stating that he has examined the dog and found that because of old age or other reason, the life of the dog would be endangered by spaying or neutering. If the owner does not include information on the spaying or neutering of the dog, the dog shall be deemed unaltered for the purposes of the license fee.
E.
The owner must pay a license fee prescribed by the fee schedule of the Town of Barton, which is established in accordance with the surcharge requirement of Agriculture and Markets Law § 110. License fees may be established or adjusted by resolution of the Town Board. License fees are never refundable.
F.
Upon validation by the Clerk, the application shall become a license for the dog described therein. Once an application has been validated, no refund shall be made.
G.
No license shall be transferable. Upon the transfer of ownership of any dog, the new owner shall immediately make application for a license for such dog.
H.
The owner shall receive an identification tag with a number assigned by the Town of Barton and shall affix the identification tag to the collar of the dog. If the dog is wearing a valid tag from another Town within Tioga County, at the discretion of the Town Clerk, that tag can continue to be used until the license expires.
I.
An original license, if issued by the Clerk, shall be issued for a period of one year, and shall expire on the last day of the month that is one year from the date of the original issue date.
J.
Any guide dog, hearing dog, service dog, war dog, working search dog, detection dog, police work dog or therapy dog, as defined in Agriculture and Markets Law § 108, is exempt from the license fee paid to the Town, and the license shall be marked with the appropriate designation as set forth in Agriculture and Markets Law § 110(2). Pursuant to Article 7 of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, however, said dogs are not exempt from the mandated population control surcharge remitted to the State of New York.