The responsible pet owner program for pet owners established in this article is designed to reduce the incidences of repeat offenders as well as educate the participants as to the responsibilities entailed in owning a pet in an urban environment. The program stresses the "good neighbor" concept of responsible pet ownership and gives the participants information on the role of the humane officer in the community.
(Ordinance 3235, § 1, adopted 4/22/2013)
When used in this article, the following words and terms, unless the context indicates a different meaning, shall be interpreted as follows:
First offender
means a person that has received a citation for an animal related offense for the first time where that offense occurred in the city.
Responsible pet owner program
means the responsible pet owner program conducted by the humane division of the neighborhood services department.
(Ordinance 3235, § 1, adopted 4/22/2013)
(a) 
Established.
The responsible pet owner program shall be established by the humane division of the neighborhood services department.
(b) 
Availability.
The responsible pet owner program shall be made available to all pet owners in the city and shall be offered on a regular basis as staffing permits or as needed.
(Ordinance 3235, § 1, adopted 4/22/2013)
(a) 
First offenders.
First offenders shall be eligible to participate in the responsible pet owner program in lieu of payment of the citation fine and only after entering a plea of guilty or no contest.
(1) 
At the judge's discretion the fine may be waived if the first offender states that he will attend and actually attends the responsible pet owner program within 90 days of receiving the first citation.
(2) 
It shall be the responsibility of the first offender to notify and supply the municipal court with proof of attendance.
(b) 
Allocation of available spaces.
The program shall be available to all pet owners in the city; however, available places shall be first offered to first offenders applying for the program.
(Ordinance 3235, § 1, adopted 4/22/2013)
(a) 
Registration fee.
There shall be a registration fee as established in Appendix A for the responsible pet owner program that must be paid when registering for the program, prior to attendance.
(b) 
Citation fee for failure to attend.
If the first offender fails to attend the responsible pet owner program within the required 90 days, the citation fee shall be assessed through municipal court.
(Ordinance 3235, § 1, adopted 4/22/2013)