All cats and dogs harbored or maintained by their owners within
the city shall be registered. Registration tags shall be issued by
a licensed veterinarian within the city or any designated person assigned
by the city administrator. Applicants for a license shall state the
following information:
(1)
The
name, address and telephone number of the owner;
(2)
The
kind and breed of dog or cat, if known;
(3)
The
sex of the dog or cat; if neutered, so state;
(4)
The
coloration of the dog or cat and any other distinguishing characteristics;
and
(5)
Proof
of vaccination.
(1999 Code, sec. 18-41)
All newly acquired dogs or cats shall be registered within 30
days of their acquisition. All newly born dogs or cats shall be registered
within four months of their birth. This requirement will not apply
to a nonresident keeping a dog or cat within the corporate limits
of the city for no longer than 60 days.
(1999 Code, sec. 18-42)
(a)
Issuance of license; fee.
Upon a showing by any applicant for a license that he is prepared to comply with the regulations of the city, a license shall be issued following payment of the applicable fees. The fee shall be paid to the licensed veterinarian issuing the license, of which 20 percent shall be retained by the veterinarian and the remaining 80 percent paid to the city. The payments to the city are due within 90 days of their receipt by the veterinarian and shall be paid on a quarterly basis. The fees to be paid for each license shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(b)
Term of license; transfer.
A license, if not revoked,
shall be valid for one year from the date of issue. A new license
shall be obtained each year by every owner and a new fee paid. If
there is a change in ownership of an animal or facility, the new owner
may have the current license transferred to his name upon payment
of a transfer fee. The transfer fee shall be as determined by the
city council and on file in the office of the city secretary.
(c)
Exemptions from fees.
License fees shall be waived for
dogs serving blind, deaf or other handicapped persons, or government-owned
dogs used for law enforcement. All other licensing provisions shall
apply.
(d)
Issuance of tag; wearing of tag; records.
Upon acceptance
of the license application and fee, the owner shall receive a durable
license tag that includes an identifying number, year of issuance,
city, county and state. Both rabies and license tags must be attached
to the collar of the dog or cat. Tags must be worn at all times and
are not transferable. A record of all licenses issued will be maintained,
and such records shall be available at all times.
(e)
Unlawful removal of tag.
It shall be unlawful for any
person to remove any metal tag issued under the provisions of this
article from any dog or cat without written consent of the owner of
such dog or cat unless such removal is necessary for restraint of
the dog or cat by a veterinarian.
(1999 Code, sec. 18-43; Ordinance
adopting 2018 Code)
(a)
The
municipal judge may revoke any cat or dog registration after a hearing
for any one or more of the following reasons:
(1)
Impoundment of a cat or dog by the city more than three times during
a 12-month period.
(2)
More than three final convictions of a person for violating this
chapter when such convictions relate to the cat or dog being considered
for revocation of its registration certificate.
(4)
Upon a determination that the cat or dog is a vicious cat or dog.
(b)
Upon
revoking the registration of any cat or dog, the appropriate authority
shall notify the owner of the cat or dog of such action in writing.
Written notification shall be deemed made when a certified letter,
return receipt requested, addressed to the last known mailing address
of the cat or dog owner, is deposited in the U.S. mail.
(1999 Code, sec. 18-44)
If the owner of a dog or cat has not paid the annual license fee within 30 days of the date it is due, the owner of the animal to which the fee applies may be cited in the manner set out in section 2.04.003.
(1999 Code, sec. 18-45)
