Chapter 6.08
ANIMAL LICENSES
Sections:
6.08.010 Cat and dog licenses.
6.08.020 License fees.
6.08.030 Special permanent license.
6.08.040 License exemptions.
6.08.050 Transferability.
6.08.070 Removal of license tag.
6.08.080 Reciprocation.
6.08.100 Impounding unlicensed dogs and/or cats.
6.08.110 Penalty for violation.
6.08.010 Cat and dog licenses.
A. Annual License. All dogs and cats shall be licensed annually or within thirty calendar days from the date the owner acquires the animal or takes up residency in the city. It is unlawful for any person to own, keep or have control of a dog or cat over the age of six months within the corporate limits of the city, whether confined or not, without having a current license tag attached to the collar or harness which is worn by the dog or cat. These licenses shall be obtained by paying the required license fee in the amounts and within the time limits as provided herein.
B. All licenses granted under the provisions of this chapter shall be due and payable by the first non-holiday weekday of July each year; except, that any lawful obligated party, as set forth in this section, shall apply for a license and pay the required fee within thirty days of becoming so obligated.
C. The fee for licenses sold during the second half of the licensing year (January through June), shall be one-half of the license fee for licenses issued at any other time. This reduced fee is not applicable to renewals, but shall be applicable to new licenses only.
D. A metal tag shall be furnished with each license. The tag shall bear the name “Poulsbo,” be dated with the combination of the years the tag is valid and the expiration date (i.e., “2006-2007 Expires June 30, 2007”) and include a pre-stamped serial number. The information to be gathered by the licensing agents shall include the name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for the animal, and a description of the animal including its name, age, sex and color. Such tag shall be securely attached to a collar which shall be worn by the dog or cat at all times, except when displayed in an official exhibition.
E. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to dogs and cats in the custody of a veterinarian, pet store, or animal shelter, or whose owners are nonresidents temporarily within the city for a period not to exceed thirty days.
F. Lost Tags. Lost license tags may be replaced by a substitute license or tag upon application to the city or animal control authority and payment of a replacement charge. (Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 2, 2007: Ord. 74-18 § 1, 1974)
6.08.020 License fees.
License fees shall be as follows:
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A. Dogs: |
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Spayed/Neutered |
$10.00 |
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Not Spayed/Neutered |
$35.00 |
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Lost/Replacement Tags |
$3.00 |
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Potentially Dangerous Dog |
See Section 6.05.050(C) |
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Dangerous Dog |
See Section 6.05.050(D) |
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B. Cats: |
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Spayed/Neutered |
$5.00 |
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Not Spayed/Neutered |
$35.00 |
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Lost/Replacement Tags |
$3.00 |
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C. Permanent License Fee: |
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1. Spayed/Neutered Dogs |
$6.00 |
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Lost/Replacement Tags |
$3.00 |
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2. Spayed/Neutered Cats |
$3.00 |
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Lost/Replacement Tags |
$3.00 |
D. In order to receive the fee advantage for altered dogs and cats, an individual may be required to provide either proof of alteration from a licensed veterinarian or a written statement from a licensed veterinarian that the spay-neuter procedure would be harmful to the animal.
E. Any person who fails to obtain a license thirty days after the license expiration date, but before sixty days of the expiration date, shall pay a penalty of ten dollars per license. Any person who fails to obtain a license after sixty days of the license expiration shall pay a penalty of twenty dollars per license. No late penalty shall be charged if:
1. The owner submits proof of purchase or acquisition of the animal within the previous thirty days; or
2. The owner has moved into the city within the preceding thirty days; or
3. The animal is currently, or has been within the preceding thirty days, under the age which requires a license; or
4. The owner purchases the license(s) voluntarily, prior to in-person or field contact by animal control personnel; or
5. The owner submits other proof deemed acceptable in the city or animal control authority’s administrative policy. (Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 3, 2007: Ord. 2006-18 § 1, 2006; Ord. 2003-16 § 21, 2003; Ord. 2000-26 § 1, 2000; Ord. 85-31 § 2, 1985: Ord. 78-16 § 1, 1978: Ord. 74-18 § 2, 1974)
6.08.030 Special permanent license.
Provided that the animals are not used for commercial purposes or designated as a dangerous dog, city of Poulsbo residents sixty-five years of age or older or who qualify as low-income disabled shall be entitled to purchase a permanent license for spayed or neutered dogs and cats for the lifetime of the animal for which they are the registered owners when said animals are maintained at said owner’s address. Such residents shall not be required to annually purchase a new license for the lifetime of such licensed animals; provided, that no person shall be granted more than three permanent animal licenses for any combination of cats or dogs for which they are registered owners. As used in this section, the term “low income disabled resident” means a person whose total household income is at or below one hundred twenty-five percent of the federally established poverty level as provided in RCW 70.164.020(4) as enacted or hereinafter amended, and who is (A) a person qualifying for special parking privileges under RCW 46.16.381(1)(a) through (f) as enacted or hereinafter amended; or (B) a blind person as defined in RCW 74.18.020 as enacted or hereinafter amended; or (C) as enacted or hereinafter amended, a disabled, handicapped, or incapacitated person as defined under any other state or federal program. All statutes or regulations referred to in the previous sentence are as the same now exist or as they may be hereafter amended. To qualify for this special permanent license, individuals must provide proof of income and proof of permanent disability. Proof of disability must be in the form of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Identification Card or other documentation showing at least a thirty percent disability, a Washington Department of Licensing parking placard issued for permanent disability under RCW 46.16.381 as enacted or hereinafter amended, or such other means as the city or animal control authority may deem sufficient for purposes of proving permanent disability. (Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 4, 2007: Ord. 74-18 § 3, 1974)
6.08.040 License exemptions.
A. Licenses and license tags shall be provided free of charge by the city to service dogs properly trained to assist the handicapped and police and fire accelerant dogs as follows:
1. When such dogs are actually used by the handicapped for the purpose of aiding the handicapped in going from place to place;
2. To pups and young dogs being raised and trained as guide or service dogs for the handicapped; or
3. To police working dogs when the dogs are actively being used for such purpose; or
4. To dogs currently being trained for the purpose of aiding the handicapped in a school or program which has been approved or accredited by a professional organization or association, either for profit or not for profit.
B. The licensing agents, in writing such licenses, shall insert the words “guide dog,” “hearing aid dog,” “police working dog,” or “fire accelerant dog” in the space allotted for and in place of a stated fee. (Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 5, 2007: Ord. 2006-18 § 2, 2006: Ord. 74-18 § 4, 1974)
6.08.050 Transferability.
A. Dog and cat licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter may not be transferred from one animal to another.
B. Except for permanent licenses issued to senior citizens, a license for any one dog or cat may be transferred from one owner or keeper to another; provided, that the transferror or transferee notifies City Hall of such change in person, for revision of license information. Permanent licenses issued to senior citizens may not be transferred to other owners. (Ord. 85-31 § 3, 1985: Ord. 74-18 § 5, 1974)
6.08.070 Removal of license tag.
It is unlawful for any person other than the owner or keeper, or an officer of the animal control authority in conjunction with official duties, to remove a license tag from any dog or cat licensed under the provisions of this chapter. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. (Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 7, 2007: Ord. 74-18 § 7, 1974)
6.08.080 Reciprocation.
The city of Poulsbo shall honor a current license held by an owner or keeper moving into the city from elsewhere in Kitsap County, if the other relevant sections of this chapter are complied with. (Ord. 74-18 § 8, 1974)
6.08.100 Impounding unlicensed dogs and/or cats.
Whenever an unlicensed dog or cat is found within the city, it may be taken up and impounded by an officer of the animal control agency or officer of the city, and an infraction may be issued to the owner of such dog or cat or the person having the custody and control of such dog or cat. The owner is subject to boarding charges as set forth in this title, in addition to all penalties set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 8, 2007: Ord. 74-18 § 10, 1974)
6.08.110 Penalty for violation.
A. Any person who violates Section 6.08.010 shall be guilty of a civil infraction with a maximum monetary penalty limited to a fine in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars; provided, that if the person presents evidence of a valid license obtained subsequent to the issuance of the infraction hereunder to the Poulsbo municipal court and prior to entry of a finding of committed, the infraction may be dismissed, except that the Poulsbo municipal court may assess court administrative costs of twenty-five dollars at the time of dismissal. A monetary penalty of fifty-two dollars shall be imposed for failure to respond to the infraction.
B. Unless specifically designated in this title as a civil infraction, gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor or is specified to be enforced pursuant to other law, including, but not limited to, other chapters or titles of this code, any violation of this chapter is a civil infraction and the penalty amount is two hundred fifty dollars, not including statutory assessments.
C. Such penalty is in addition to any other remedies or penalties specifically provided by law. For each act herein prohibited of a continuing nature, each day shall be considered a separate offense.
D. Any person who fails to respond or appear on any violation of any provision of the Poulsbo Municipal Code set forth in this title shall be assessed a failure to respond or appear fee in the amount set forth in RCW 46.63.110(3), as the same now exists or as may be hereafter amended, which statute is incorporated herein by this reference as if fully set forth.
E. If a time pay agreement is requested, a fee of not to exceed ten dollars per charge or twenty-five dollars per payment plan may be imposed. (Ord. 2008-12 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2007-48 § 9, 2007)