§ 6-35. Dogs and cats.

(a)

Ownership of multiple pets. No person shall keep or harbor more than three dogs or three cats, and no person shall keep or harbor more than five animals, either three dogs and two cats, or two dogs and three cats, except in a properly licensed and zoned kennel, veterinarian clinic, or animal hospital. Puppies and kittens under three months of age shall not be counted for purposes of this subsection. Birds shall not apply to this section; unless creating a health or safety nuisance. This section shall not permit ownership of non-domesticated canines or felines, or any wild, dangerous, or exotic animals, and any registration or attempted registration of such shall be void.

(b)

Vaccinations.

(1)

Vaccinations required. Every owner of a dog or cat four months of age or older shall have such animal vaccinated against rabies. All such dogs or cats shall be re-vaccinated at one year of age and annually thereafter. Any person establishing residence within the city shall comply with this section within ten days of establishing such residency. If an un-vaccinated dog or cat inflicts a bite, scratch, or otherwise attacks any person within the city limits a rabies vaccine shall not be administered to the dog or cat until after a ten-day observation period beginning with the date of the bite, scratch, or attack.

(2)

Certificate of vaccination. Upon vaccination, the veterinarian shall execute and furnish to the owner of the dog or cat as evidence thereof, a certificate of vaccination. The veterinarian shall retain a duplicate copy of the certificate shall contain the following information:

a.

The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the vaccinated dog or cat.

b.

The date of vaccination.

c.

The type of rabies vaccine used.

d.

The year and number of rabies tag.

e.

The breed, age, color, and sex of the vaccinated dog or cat.

(3)

Rabies tag. Concurrent with the issuance and delivery of the certificate of vaccination, the owner of the dog or cat shall cause to be attached to the collar or harness of the vaccinated animal a metal tag, serially numbered to correspond with the vaccination certificate number and bearing the year of issuance.

(c)

Registration and licensing.

(1)

License required. All dogs and cats four months of age or older which are kept, harbored, or maintained within the corporate limits of the city shall be licensed. Cat and dog licenses shall be issued by the city upon payment of the required fee for each cat or dog. Before a city license will be issued, the owner of the cat or dog must present a certificate from a licensed veterinarian showing that said cat or dog has been vaccinated within the preceding 12 months. If the veterinarian is unable to verify the same or such prior vaccination now undocumented the owner shall sign an affidavit stating the veterinarian or clinic, the address, date and owner shall state his name and address, and the breed, color, and sex of the cat or dog to be licensed. Said license shall be good for one year from date of issuance. This section shall not authorize licensing of non-domesticated canines or felines, and any license issued for the same shall be void.

(2)

Tag and collar. Upon payment of the license fee, the city shall issue to the owner a license certificate and metal tag having stamped thereto on the year for which it is issued and the number corresponding with the number of the certificate. Such tag shall at all times be securely attached to a collar or harness around the neck of the animal. In case a tag is lost, a replacement will be issued by the animal control officer or his agent upon presentation of the receipt showing the payment of license fee for the calendar year. Tags shall not be transferable from one animal to another, and no refunds shall be made.

(3)

Revocation of registrations. The animal control officer or his agent may revoke any cat or dog registration after a hearing for any one or more of the following reasons:

a.

Impoundment of a cat or dog by the city more than three times during a 12-month period.

b.

More than three final convictions of a person for violating this chapter when such convictions relate to the cat or dog that is being considered for revocation of its registration certificate.

c.

Any combination of a and b totaling three incidents.

d.

Upon a determination that the cat or dog is a "dangerous animal" or "dangerous dog" as defined in this chapter.

Upon revoking the registration of any cat or dog, the animal control officer shall notify the owner of the cat or dog of said 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 owners is deposited in the U.S. mail.

Upon the expiration of ten days after written notification of revocation is deposited in the U.S. mail, as provided above, no cat or dog which has had its registration revoked shall be kept, maintained, or harbored within the city limits.

(d)

Confinement during estrus Any unspayed female dog or cat in the state of estrus (heat) shall be confined during such period of time in a house, building, or secure enclosure and said area of enclosure shall be so constructed that no other dog or cat may gain access to the confined animal. Owners who do not comply shall be ordered to remove the animal in heat to a boarding kennel, or veterinary hospital. All expenses incurred, as a result of this confinement shall be paid by the owner. Failure to comply with the removal order of the animal control officer shall be a violation of this subsection and the dog or cat will then be impounded as prescribed in this chapter.

(e)

Barking dogs. Any person who shall harbor or keep on his premises, or in or about his premises under his control, any dog or other canine, which by its loud or continuous barking or howling shall cause the peace and quiet of the neighborhood or the occupants of adjacent or nearby premises to be disturbed, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and a separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day during or on which such violation occurs or continues.

(f)

Guard dogs. All dogs kept solely for the protection of persons and property, residential, commercial, or personal, shall be registered with the city animal control. The area or premises in which such dog is confined shall be conspicuously posted with warning signs bearing letters not less than four inches high, stating "guard dog on premises", within public view of any approach to the property and within 50 feet of each other. Said dog shall be issued a tag varying in color from the city license tag, so designating that animal's function. Said tag shall be attached to the collar or harness of the dog at all times. Dogs registered under this subsection shall not be required to additionally purchase a city license tag as designated in subsection (c) hereof, but shall be required to comply with those guidelines. Guard dogs shall not be exempt from any other provision of this article, including but not limited to regulations regarding barking or being at large.

(g)

Removal of dogs and cats from confinement. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove from any place of confinement any dog or cat which has been confined as authorized, without the consent of impounding agency.

(Ord. No. 2004-02, § 5, 4-6-04; Ord. No. 2005-09, § 3, 5-17-05)