Except as otherwise provided herein, no person shall own, keep, or harbor any dog or cat over four months of age within the city unless such dog or cat is vaccinated and licensed. The provisions of this section do not apply to animals owned by a licensed research facility, or government operated animal shelter, or animals kept at hospitals, clinics, and other premises operated by licensed veterinarians for the care and treatment of dogs or cats.
(Ordinance 07-521-10, § 16(A), adopted 4/5/2007)
All dogs and cats shall be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 826.021.
(Ordinance 07-521-10, § 16(B), adopted 4/5/2007)
Application for a license must be made within 30 days after obtaining a dog or cat over four months of age. This requirement will not apply to a nonresident keeping a dog or cat within the city for no longer than 60 days. New residents must apply for a license within 30 days of establishing residency.
(Ordinance 07-521-10, § 16(C), adopted 4/5/2007)
The city secretary shall collect the annual licensing registration fee. A license shall be issued by the city secretary after payment of a fee to be set by the city council and maintained by the city secretary in the schedule of fees and presentation of a certificate by a practicing veterinarian showing that the dog to be licensed has been vaccinated against rabies. The city secretary shall supply to each applicant a tag suitable to be placed upon a collar around the dog's neck. A record of all licenses issued shall be maintained by the city secretary, and such records shall be available to the animal control authority. It shall be the duty of the city tax assessor and collector to provide to the city secretary suitable metal tags for registration, numbered running consecutively.
(Ordinance 07-521-10, § 16(D), adopted 4/5/2007)
Except as otherwise provided, the licensing period shall be for a period of one year. Each applicant shall pay the appropriate fee annually and shall supply all information reasonably requested on forms supplied by the city clerk. A license issued for a dog or cat must be attached to the collar of the animal and must be worn at all times. Licenses are not transferable.
(Ordinance 07-521-10, § 16(E), adopted 4/5/2007)
It shall be the duty of the owner, in the event the original tag is lost or destroyed, to apply to the city secretary for a duplicate tag. A duplicate tag shall be issued after payment of a fee to be set by the city council and maintained by the city secretary in the schedule of fees.
(Ordinance 07-521-10, § 16(F), adopted 4/5/2007)
License fees shall be waived for dogs serving the blind or deaf, or government-owned dogs used for law enforcement. All other licensing provisions shall apply.
(Ordinance 07-521-10, § 16(G), adopted 4/5/2007)
Upon receipt of the appropriate forms and payment of the scheduled fee, the city clerk shall provide a license for dogs and cats vaccinated by out-of-town veterinarians. In such case, said license will be valid until the rabies vaccination is due again by state law.
(Ordinance 07-521-10, § 16(H), adopted 4/5/2007)
It shall be unlawful for any person to counterfeit a license tag or use any counterfeit license tag upon a dog, except a tag adopted and issued by the city.
(Ordinance 07-521-10, § 16(J), adopted 4/5/2007)