Chapter 6.15
GUARD DOG REGULATIONS

Sections:

6.15.010    Guard dog purveyor – License – Fee.

6.15.020    Guard dog purveyor – License – Application.

6.15.030    Guard dog trainer – License required – Fee.

6.15.040    Guard dog trainer – License – Application.

6.15.050    Guard dog – Registration – Fee.

6.15.060    Guard dog – Registration – Application.

6.15.070    Inspections.

6.15.080    Enforcement authorization.

6.15.090    Limitations.

6.15.100    Licenses, registration – Revocation, suspension or refusal to renew.

6.15.110    Licenses, registration – Revocation or refusal waiting period.

6.15.120    Guard dog purveyors, guard dog trainers and guard dog owners – Additional conditions.

6.15.010 Guard dog purveyor – License – Fee.

A. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to supply guard dogs to the public without a valid license to do so issued to the person, firm or corporation by the animal care and control authority. Only a person who complies with this chapter and such rules and regulations of the animal care and control authority as may be adopted in accordance with this chapter shall be entitled to receive and retain such a license. Licenses shall not be transferable and shall be valid only for the person and place for which issued. The licenses shall be valid for one year from issue.

B. The cost of the license shall be as provided in the fee schedule. However, if the guard dog purveyor is in possession of a valid animal shelter, kennel or pet shop license, the fee for the guard dog purveyor license shall be reduced by the amount of the animal shelter, kennel or pet shop license. [Ord. 920 § 2 (Exh. B), 2021; Ord. 595 § 2 (Att. A), 2011]

6.15.020 Guard dog purveyor – License – Application.

Any person desiring to supply guard dogs to the public shall make written application for a license on a form to be provided by the animal care and control authority. The application shall be filed with the animal care and control authority and shall include the following:

A. A legal description of the premises or the business address of the office from which the applicant desires to supply guard dogs;

B. A statement of whether the applicant owns or rents the premises to be used for the purpose of purveying guard dogs. If the applicant rents the premises, the application shall be accompanied by a written statement of acknowledgment by the property owner that the applicant has the property owner’s permission to purvey guard dogs on the premises for the duration of the license; and

C. A written acknowledgment by the applicant that before the actual commercial sale or purveyance of any and all guard dogs the licensee shall coordinate with the animal care and control authority in properly marking the guard dog and in notifying all customers of the guard dog purveyor that the customer is required to register the guard dog and pay the appropriate registration fee to animal care and control authority before the animal performing guard dog functions. [Ord. 595 § 2 (Att. A), 2011]

6.15.030 Guard dog trainer – License required – Fee.

It is unlawful for anyone to engage in the training of dogs as guard dogs without a valid license to do so issued to the person by the animal care and control authority. Only a person who complies with this chapter and the rules and regulations of the animal care and control authority shall be entitled to receive and retain such a license. Licenses shall not be transferable and shall be valid only for the person for which they were issued. The cost of the license shall be as provided in the fee schedule. Licenses shall be valid for one year from issue. [Ord. 920 § 2 (Exh. B), 2021; Ord. 595 § 2 (Att. A), 2011]

6.15.040 Guard dog trainer – License – Application.

Any person desiring to train dogs as guard dogs shall make written application for a license on a form to be provided by the animal care and control authority. All such applications shall be filed with the animal care and control authority and shall contain the following:

A. A legal description or business address of the premises at which the applicant desires to train the guard dogs;

B. A statement of whether the applicant is self-employed or a member of a business, firm, corporation or organization that trains guard dogs. If the applicant is a member of such a business, firm, corporation or organization, the applicant shall state the name of the entity and shall provide the name of the major executive officer of the entity; and

C. If the premises at which the applicant proposes to train dogs as guard dogs is rented, the application must be accompanied by a written statement of acknowledgment from the property owner that the applicant has the owner’s permission to carry on the activity of guard dog training at the location for the duration of the license. [Ord. 595 § 2 (Att. A), 2011]

6.15.050 Guard dog – Registration – Fee.

All persons using dogs as guard dogs shall register the dogs with the animal care and control authority. The cost of the registration shall be as provided in the fee schedule. The registration shall be valid for one year from date of issue. All registrations shall be affixed on the guard dog in such a manner so as to be readily identifiable. [Ord. 920 § 2 (Exh. B), 2021; Ord. 595 § 2 (Att. A), 2011]

6.15.060 Guard dog – Registration – Application.

Any person desiring to use a guard dog shall register the dog with the animal care and control authority and the registration shall be accompanied by the following information:

A. A legal description or business address of the premises that the applicant desires to employ a registered guard dog to prevent unauthorized intrusion;

B. A statement whether the applicant owns or rents the premises to be guarded. If the applicant rents the premises, the application must be accompanied by a written statement of acknowledgment from the property owner that the applicant has the owner’s permission to use a guard dog on the premises to prevent unauthorized intrusion for the duration of the registration;

C. A description of the guard dog for purposes of identification;

D. Acknowledgment by the applicant of whether the guard dog has been trained as a guard dog to exhibit hostile propensities;

E. Acknowledgment by the applicant that the premises to be guarded has devices, such as fencing, to prevent general access by the public during those times the guard dog is used for purposes of protecting the premises and persons for unauthorized intrusion. The acknowledgment shall contain a statement that the premises is properly signed to forewarn the public of the presence of a guard dog; and

F. Acknowledgment by the applicant that the guard dog will be maintained in such a manner as to ensure the safety of the public and the welfare of the animal. [Ord. 595 § 2 (Att. A), 2011]

6.15.070 Inspections.

The director of the animal care and control authority or the director’s authorized representative shall inspect all premises that are the subject of the licenses and registrations required in this chapter before the issuance of licenses or registrations. The inspections shall include, but not be limited to, a verification that adequate measures are being taken to protect the health, welfare and safety of the general public and to ensure the humane treatment of the guard dogs. If the premises are deemed inadequate, the animal care and control authority shall direct the applicant to make such changes as are necessary before the license or registration is issued. The director of the animal care and control authority or the director’s authorized representative may make the inspections of a licensee’s premises or the premises of an area guarded by a registered guard dog for the purpose of enforcing this chapter and the rules and regulations of the animal care and control authority. [Ord. 595 § 2 (Att. A), 2011]

6.15.080 Enforcement authorization.

In protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public; to enforce the laws of the state of Washington as they pertain to animal cruelty, shelter, welfare and enforcement of control; the director of the animal care and control authority and the authorized officers of the authority are authorized to take such lawful action in exercising appropriate powers and responsibilities of this chapter. [Ord. 595 § 2 (Att. A), 2011]

6.15.090 Limitations.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any facility possessing or maintaining dogs or guard dogs as defined in this chapter which is owned, and operated or maintained, by any city, county, state or the federal government; provided, private parties renting or leasing public facilities for commercial purposes as specified in this chapter shall not be exempt. [Ord. 595 § 2 (Att. A), 2011]

6.15.100 Licenses, registration – Revocation, suspension or refusal to renew.

The animal care and control authority may, in addition to other penalties provided in this title, revoke, suspend or refuse to renew any guard dog purveyor, guard dog trainer license or guard dog registration upon good cause or for failure to comply with any provision of this chapter. Enforcement of such a revocation, suspension or refusal shall be stayed during the pendency of an appeal filed in accordance with SMC 6.40.070. [Ord. 595 § 2 (Att. A), 2011]

6.15.110 Licenses, registration – Revocation or refusal waiting period.

If an applicant has had a license or registration revoked or a renewal refused, the applicant shall not be issued a guard dog purveyor license, guard dog trainer license or guard dog registration for one year after the revocation and refusal. [Ord. 595 § 2 (Att. A), 2011]

6.15.120 Guard dog purveyors, guard dog trainers and guard dog owners – Additional conditions.

The director of the animal care and control authority is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations not in conflict with this chapter as they pertain to the conditions and operations of guard dog purveyors, guard dog trainers and guard dog owners. Enforcement of these rules and regulations may be appealed to the animal care and control authority board of appeals in accordance with SMC 6.40.070. [Ord. 595 § 2 (Att. A), 2011]