A. It is
unlawful for any person to operate a kennel within the city without
first having obtained a license therefor.
B. Business
licenses for kennels shall expire one year from the date of issue
unless the city selects a different expiration. In such case, the
license fee shall be prorated.
C. Any
kennel which is found by the city or authorized agency to be unsanitary
or a menace to animal or public health, safety or welfare, is declared
to be a public nuisance. The city or authorized agency is authorized
and empowered to take such action as is necessary to abate this nuisance.
In the event that immediate action is necessary to preserve or protect
animal or public health, safety or welfare, the city or authorized
agency is empowered to summarily abate such nuisance by any reasonable
means, including, but not limited to, impoundment of the animal and/or
immediate closure of the kennel for such time until the nuisance is
abated. In such case, hearings shall be provided in accordance with
the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 175, 1990; Ord. 245 § 8, 1995)
Primary enclosures must be provided for all animals and shall
conform to the following requirements:
A. Primary
enclosures shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair
to protect the animals from injury, to contain them, and to keep other
animals out. They shall be effectively enclosed.
B. Primary
enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to enable the
animals to remain dry and clean.
C. Primary
enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so that the animals
contained therein have convenient access to clean food and water.
D. The
floors of the primary enclosure shall be constructed so as to protect
the animals' feet and legs from injury.
(Ord. 175, 1990)
Primary enclosures must be large enough so that the animals
in them can obtain adequate exercise. Any separate kennel houses used
as sleeping quarters must provide sufficient space to allow each animal
to turn about freely, stand easily, sit and lie in a comfortable normal
position. It is unusual to keep any animal in a primary enclosure
or kennel that does not provide adequate space as provided by this
article.
Clean potable water shall be available to the animals in conformance
with the principles of good animal husbandry unless restricted for
veterinary care. Watering receptacles shall be kept clean and shall
be sanitized at least once every two weeks.
(Ord. 175, 1990)
A sufficient number of caretakers shall be utilized to maintain
the standards set forth in this Chapter.
(Ord. 175, 1990)
Animals housed in the same primary enclosure shall be maintained
in compatible groups, with the following additional restrictions:
A. Females
in season (estrus) shall not be housed in the same primary enclosures
with males, except for breeding purposes.
B. Any
animal exhibiting a vicious disposition shall be housed individually
in a primary enclosure.
C. Puppies
or kittens shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with
adult dogs or cats other than their dams, except when the owner specifically
request they be housed together.
D. Dogs
shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with cats, nor shall
dogs or cats be housed in the same primary enclosure with any other
species of animals unless the owner specifically requests that they
be housed together.
E. Animals
under quarantine or treatment for a communicable disease shall be
separated from other animals and other susceptible species of animals
in such a manner as to minimize dissemination of such disease.
(Ord. 175, 1990)
The kennel operator shall keep available for inspection on the
premises a record that shall show the name, current address and telephone
number of the owner of each animal kept at the kennel, the description
of the animal, including its age (if known) or approximate age, breed,
six and color. As part of such record, a current valid rabies certificate
or other written proof of vaccination, verified by phone, shall be
maintained for each dog required to be vaccinated by this chapter,
showing the dog owner's name, address, and telephone number; the dog's
name and description, including breed, color, sex, month and year
of birth; the date of vaccination; and the name and telephone number
of the veterinarian who vaccinated the dog or telephone number of
the licensing agency verifying the vaccination. In addition, each
kennel operator shall have someone in attendance at the kennel who
can identify each animal in the kennel, except that animals under
four months of age may be identified as to litter.
(Ord. 175, 1990)
A kennel operator shall be not be required to obtain the individual
licenses imposed by this chapter for each dog in his kennel for which
the kennel license is obtained; however, each kennel operator shall
ensure that each dog in his kennel is vaccinated as required by this
chapter.
(Ord. 175, 1990)
Because of the need to adequately protect animals within kennels
from unhealthy conditions and practices and the interests of society
in curbing and preventing inhumane practices, reasonable inspection
requirements dictate that the city or authorized agency shall have
the right to inspect at reasonable times. Prior to issuing a business
license, each operator shall agree to allow the city or authorized
agency such inspection.
(Ord. 175, 1990; Ord. 245 § 9, 1995)