Chapter 6.05
DOGS
Sections:
6.05.010 Public nuisances.
6.05.020 License required.
6.05.030 Information for license.
6.05.040 Grounds for impounding.
6.05.050 Enforcement.
6.05.060 Destruction of mad or vicious dogs.
6.05.070 Notice to owner of impoundment – Posting of notice in public place.
6.05.080 Impounding and administration fees.
6.05.090 Detainment and disposal.
6.05.100 Adoption.
6.05.110 Kennel license.
6.05.120 Violation – Penalty.
6.05.010 Public nuisances.
The following are declared to be public nuisances:
(1) Any unrestrained dog menacing or injuring passersby on public thoroughfares or persons legitimately on school grounds, public parks or playgrounds, or in public buildings or on private property, other than that of the owner of such dog, in such a fashion as to arouse reasonable apprehension of imminent bodily harm;
(2) Any dog wandering at large without apparent home, care or supervision;
(3) Any dogs roaming at large of packs of three or more;
(4) Any dog harassing the livestock or poultry of another;
(5) Any dog viciously attacking a domestic animal of another at a place where the victim animal had a right to be;
(6) Any dog harassing a game animal at a location other than upon the property of the owner or person in possession of such dog;
(7) Any dog wandering at large upon any public park or school playground;
(8) Any dog which habitually howls, yelps or barks consistently for a period of 15 minutes between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;
(9) Any animal that damages public property or the private property of another;
(10) Any domestic fowl, rabbit or rodent that trespasses upon public property or the private property of another. (Ord. 554 § 2, 1999)
6.05.020 License required.
A keeping of a dog within the city limits is forbidden unless the owners or keepers of the dog purchase a license for each dog. The license fee for dogs shall be established per the annual fee schedule resoluion adopted by the city council. If there is a change of ownership of a licensed dog, the new owner must apply for and obtain a new license. (Ord. 637, 2005; Ord. 554 § 2, 1999; Ord. 328 § 2, 1986)
6.05.030 Information for license.
Upon payment of the license tax, the city of Entiat, or other person designated by the mayor, shall record information as follows: the date and number of receipt of payment, the name of the person to whom the license was issued, a description of the dog for which the license was issued. (Ord. 328 § 3, 1986)
6.05.040 Grounds for impounding.
Any dog observed by the humane officer designated by the city of Entiat to be: (1) running at large in violation of this chapter, (2) not currently licensed, (3) left unattended or left without food and water, or (4) a mad or vicious dog attacking person(s) or property shall be immediately impounded. (Ord. 328 § 4, 1986)
6.05.050 Enforcement.
The city of Entiat shall contract with a qualified entity to perform the services of humane officer. Said humane officer shall have exclusive authority to supervise and enforce the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 328 § 5, 1986)
6.05.060 Destruction of mad or vicious dogs.
Any mad or vicious dog, or dog afflicted with rabies, or dog displaying the tendency of either, may be destroyed by the humane officer, as a public nuisance, if not securely confined and kept from the public. The animal control authority of the city of Entiat is empowered to charge the owners of dangerous dogs, as defined in Chapter 16.08 RCW, et seq. (Ord. 554 § 2, 1999; Ord. 328 § 6, 1986)
6.05.070 Notice to owner of impoundment – Posting of notice in public place.
Not later than the next calendar business day after the impounding of any dog, the owner, if known, shall be notified of the impounding by mailing a written notice thereof addressed to the owner at his last known address or, if unknown, by posting a notice as herein provided. If the owner of the dog is unknown, written notice of impounding shall be posted for 48 hours at two conspicuous places in the city. Impoundment notice and posting is the responsibility of the city’s animal control authority. (Ord. 637, 2005; Ord. 328 § 7, 1986)
6.05.080 Impounding and administration fees.
The animal control authority is authorized to impose the following fees, based upon actual cost and related indirect costs: detention fee, daily boarding fee, adoption fee, vaccination fees, lost identification replacement fee. (Ord. 554 § 2, 1999)
6.05.090 Detainment and disposal.
(1) The director shall ascertain whether any detained animal is currently licensed and if so shall notify the licensee by letter as set forth in EMC 6.05.070 that such animal has been detained and may be redeemed upon payment of applicable fees.
(2) Anyone claiming a detained animal must prove ownership to the satisfaction of the director before redeeming the animal.
(3) Injured, diseased or wild animals need not be detained for the holding period but may be disposed of in a humane manner at any time at the discretion of the director.
(4) Any animal which is detained by the director may be held at the animal shelter or other place appropriate for the animal. The director shall post a notice of detainment at the shelter and shall attempt to determine ownership of an animal. If at the end of the holding period, no owner has claimed the animal, the director shall dispose of the animal in a humane manner.
(5) A boarding fee for every 24-hour period, or part thereof, for the care and feeding of the animal shall be charged to the owner commencing at the close of business on the day that the animal is detained.
(6) The director of public health may direct the detention of animals suspected of having rabies. These animals shall be held until their release is approved by the director of public health and all applicable fees are paid.
(7) An administrative fee shall be paid by any person claiming an abstaining possession of an animal detained by the Humane Society. (Ord. 328 § 9, 1986)
6.05.100 Adoption.
Strays and abandoned animals, following the holding period, and animals voluntarily surrendered to the director shall become the property of the Humane Society and animal shelter.
(1) Any animal detained or surrendered to the department and not redeemed shall be disposed of in a humane manner or, at the discretion of the director, may be held for a longer period to allow adoption.
(2) No warranty, express or implied, shall be made with respect to any animal adopted.
(3) All dogs adopted from the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society and Animal Shelter, regardless of age, must be licensed.
(4) Dog license fees may be refunded to any adopter providing the animal is returned to the animal shelter within eight days of the day of adoption accompanied by a written request for the refund and documentation from a licensed veterinarian certifying that the animal was diseased or ill at the time of adoption.
(5) The Humane Society and animal shelter or other agency with whom the city may contract to assume the responsibility for impounding of animals shall assume all responsibility for and liability for animals held and/or adopted out as between the city and said contracting authority. (Ord. 328 § 10, 1986)
6.05.110 Kennel license.
(1) A kennel license is required of any owners or keepers who have more than three dogs within one household. The kennel fee shall be set forth in the annual fee schedule resolution adopted by the city council.
(2) When a household of three dogs exceeds the limit set forth due to the birth of a litter of pups, the kennel license will not be required, provided the number of dogs in the household is reduced to the limit of three within 10 weeks of the birth of the litter. (Ord. 637, 2005; Ord. 328 § 10, 1986)
6.05.120 Violation – Penalty.
A violation of this chapter shall be an infraction and punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00. The penalty for the first offense shall be not less than $50.00. The penalty for the second offense shall be not less than $150.00. The penalty for the third offense shall be not less than $250.00. (Ord. 554 § 2, 1999; Ord. 328 § 11, 1986)