Source: https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Lakewood/html/6.06.html
Timestamp: 2017-06-28 17:39:45
Document Index: 629871128

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 4', '§ 3', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 5', '§ 3', '§ 57', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 6', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 7', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 8', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 9', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 3']

6.06 Licensing of Dogs and Cats
Chapter 6.06LICENSING OF DOGS AND CATS
6.06.010
6.06.020
Purchase of License.
6.06.023
Licensing of Six or More Animals.
6.06.025
Service Animal, Dog Guide License Fee Waiver.
6.06.030
6.06.040
Late Payment Penalty.
6.06.050
6.06.060
6.06.070
Dogs at Large Deemed Nuisance.
6.06.080
Impounding Dogs at Large.
6.06.090
6.06.100
Owner of Dog at Large - Penalty.
6.06.010Licenses Required.
It is unlawful for any person to own, keep, or have control of a dog or cat over the age of 8 weeks, whether confined or not, within the corporate boundaries of the City without having a current license tag attached to the collar or harness which is worn by the dog or cat. Any dog or cat which is off the premises of its owner must have a current license, regardless of its age. If any dog and/or cat which is required to be licensed is found without a current license, it may be seized and impounded by the animal control agency or the law enforcement agency of the City. Additionally, such seizure and impoundment will not preclude the issuance of a criminal complaint. Hunting dogs, during a controlled hunt, need not wear a license tag. (Ord. 149 § 4, 1997; Ord. 40 § 3 (part), 1996.)
6.06.020Purchase of License.
Except as waived in section 6.06.025, all dog or cat licenses shall be obtained by paying the required license fee in the amounts and within the time limits as provided in this Chapter to the City or to such other agency as the City authorizes to issue licenses and collect license fees. The license shall remain in force until December 31st of the year of issuance. There is no prorating of any license fee. Renewal licenses shall retain the original expiration period whether renewed prior to, on or after their respective expiration periods. The applicant shall be furnished with such license and metal tag. The tag shall be attached to a collar or harness which will be worn by the dog or cat at all times. The shape of the tag shall not be the same two consecutive years. (Ord. 313 § 2, 2003; Ord. 270 § 2 (part), 2001; Ord. 149 § 5, 1997; Ord. 40 § 3 (part), 1996.)
6.06.023Licensing of Six or More Animals.
A. The following definitions shall apply to this section:
1. “Adult dog” and “Adult cat” means any dog or cat past the age of seven months.
2. “Animal” means any nonhuman mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian.
3. “Animal Shelter” means any facility operated by The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County or its authorized agents, for the purpose of impounding or caring for animals held under the authority of this Chapter or of state law.
4. “Commercial Kennel or Cattery” means any premises wherein a person(s) engages in the business of boarding, breeding, letting for hire, selling, bartering, or giving away dogs and/or cats. All dogs and/or cats over the age of seven months shall be included as part of the kennel for payment of fees.
5. “Enforcement Agency” means the law enforcement agency of the City of Lakewood or such organization as designated by ordinance of the City of Lakewood.
6. “Enforcement Officer” means any law enforcement officer of the City of Lakewood designated to enforce the provisions of this title.
7. “Foster Shelter/Kennel/Cattery” means any premises where at least six or more adult dogs and/or cats are kept and a person(s) provides temporary housing and care of owner released dogs/cats for the purpose of placing them into a permanent home.
8. “Grooming Parlor” means any place or establishment, public or private, where animals are bathed, clipped, or combed for a consideration.
9. “Hobby Kennel or Cattery” means any premise where at least six, but less than twenty adult dogs and/or cats are kept for hunting, breeding, for exhibition, organized events, field working or obedience trials. Any person(s) keeping more than ten dogs and/or cats must provide kennel facilities. Any person(s) or premise which exceeds the numbers or engages in practices beyond the definition herein for a hobby kennel or cattery, as determined by the enforcement agency, shall be subject to penalties and/or be required to purchase the appropriate license. Note: The occasional selling of offspring shall not be construed as a commercial venture. All dogs and cats over the age of seven months shall be included as part of the kennel for payment of fees.
10. “Humane Officer” is any person designated by the City of Lakewood as a law enforcement officer, qualified to perform such duties under the laws of this State.
11. “Impounding Authority” means giving the authority to impound animals and handle and care for impounded animals.
12. “Jurisdictional Licensing Agent” means any organization appointed by the City of Lakewood.
13. “Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or unincorporated association.
14. “Pet Shop” means any person or establishment that acquires animals (dogs, cats, birds, fish, rodents, reptiles, primates, insects, and any/or all others) bred by others, whether as owner, agent, or on consignment, sells or boards any species of animals and offers to sell such animals to the public.
15. “Premise” includes a private house or dwelling.
16. “Private Kennel/Cattery” means any premise where at least six, but less than twenty, altered adult dogs and/or cats are kept as pets and not used for any other purpose than companionship for their owners. All pets are to be altered.
17. “Temporary” as used in this Chapter means less than sixty days.
B. License Requirements-Generally. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, maintain, or have six or more dogs and/or cats, or operate a commercial kennel or cattery, foster shelter/kennel/cattery, hobby kennel, grooming parlor, private kennel/cattery, or pet shop, within the City of Lakewood without any applicable license.
C. Exemptions. The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County is designated by the City of Lakewood as the animal control authority and is exempt from the licensing requirements of this Chapter.
D. Transfer of License. If there is any change in ownership of any commercial kennel or cattery, foster shelter/kennel/cattery, hobby kennel, grooming parlor, private kennel/ cattery or pet shop, the new owner may have the current permit transferred to his or her name upon the payment of required fees in accordance with LMC 3.20.010, the fee schedule, at least one copy of which shall be kept on file in the Office of the Lakewood City Clerk. The transfer will be deemed approved if not rejected within thirty days from the date of the application.
E. Grounds for Denial. A permit or license may be denied, suspended, or revoked for any of the grounds set forth in chapter 5.02 LMC.
F. Application - Generally. Application for a permit to establish a new license under the provisions of this Chapter may be made at any time.
G. Application - Required Information. Any person applying for a license as required by this Chapter shall submit to the City of Lakewood the following information:
1. The name and address of the person(s) having the facility;
2. The name and address of the person(s) having the supervision of the facility;
3. The address or location of the facility;
4. The maximum number of dogs and/or cats or combination thereof which such facility will contain;
5. The name and address of the person designated by the applicant as agent for the service of legal process or notice;
6. A written statement issued by the City of Lakewood Community Development Department that such commercial kennel or cattery, foster shelter/kennel/cattery, hobby kennel, grooming parlor, private kennel/cattery, or pet shop is in compliance with applicable zoning codes of the City.
7. A statement by the applicant giving permission for inspection of the facilities at any reasonable time;
8. A statement or permit from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to insure that adequate provisions for sanitary facilities can be provided;
9. If the applicant is a pet store, a list of all species of animals; i.e., dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, primates, insects, fish, rodents, and any/or all others, that are to be sold;
10. The name and address of the licensed veterinarian who cares for the applicant's sick or injured animals. (Ord. 610 § 57, 2015.)
6.06.025Service Animal, Dog Guide License Fee Waiver.
Dog guides and service animals, as defined in section 6.02.010, must be licensed as required in section 6.06.010 but shall be exempt from payment of fees for such a license. An animal control officer may review a license fee waiver under this section by reasonable inquiry and investigation. It is unlawful to falsely claim or misrepresent facts in order to obtain a fee waiver under this section. (Ord. 313 § 3, 2003.)
6.06.030Fees.
The annual license fees for the ownership, keeping, or having control of dogs and/or cats in the City shall be as set forth in the City of Lakewood Fee Schedule. (Ord. 260 § 3, 2001; Ord. 149 § 6, 1997; Ord. 40 § 3 (part), 1996.)
6.06.040Late Payment Penalty.
A. Any person who fails to obtain a license by February 28, each year, for renewal licenses, shall pay a late payment penalty of two dollars ($2.00) per license, in addition to the license fee. It is provided, however, that during the year 2002 there shall be no penalties assessed for late payments. (This provision shall automatically sunset after the year 2002.)
B. No late payment penalty shall be charged on new license applications. (Ord. 270 § 3 (part), 2001; Ord. 260 § 4, 2001; Ord. 149 § 7, 1997; Ord. 40 § 3 (part), 1996.)
6.06.050License Not Transferable.
Dog or cat licenses as provided for in this Chapter shall be nontransferable. A person may use a license for another dog or cat that he/she owns, if the dog or cat for which it was issued is no longer owned by such a person. It is unlawful for any person to give, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer a dog or cat license to another person, even if it is to be used for the same dog or cat for which it was originally issued. (Ord. 40 § 3 (part), 1996.)
6.06.060Penalty for Violation.
Violation of any of the provisions of section 6.06.010, 6.06.020, 6.06.025 or 6.06.030 of this Chapter shall constitute a civil infraction punishable by a fine in an amount not to exceed $250.00; provided, that if the person presents evidence of a valid license to the Court, the charge shall be dismissed upon payment of court costs in the amount of $25.00. (Ord. 313 § 4, 2003; Ord. 205 § 5, 1999; Ord. 149 § 8, 1997; Ord. 40 § 3 (part), 1996.)
6.06.070Dogs at Large Deemed Nuisance.
Whenever, at any place within the corporate boundaries of the City, four or more dogs are found to be roaming or running at large together, they constitute a public nuisance, which shall be terminated in the manner provided in this Chapter; provided, however, that this Section through Section 6.06.100 shall not apply to dogs belonging to one owner who are roaming or running at large on property of their owner. (Ord. 40 § 3 (part), 1996.)
6.06.080Impounding Dogs at Large.
The employees or agency authorized by the City to enforce animal control laws shall impound dogs constituting the public nuisance described by Section 6.06.070. Upon impounding the dogs, the employees or agency shall ascertain whether any of them are licensed, and if so, shall as soon as practicable notify the person to whom the licenses were issued that the dog or dogs have been impounded and can be redeemed. Any dog impounded pursuant to Sections 6.06.070 through 6.06.100 shall be held forty-eight hours. If not redeemed by its owner within that time, it shall be held an additional forty-eight hours, during which time any person may redeem it. In case any such dog is not redeemed within ninety-six hours, it shall be humanely destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the impounding agency. (Ord. 149 § 9, 1997; Ord. 40 § 3 (part), 1996.)
6.06.090Conditions of Release.
The impounding agency is authorized to refuse to release any dog and/or cat to its owner unless satisfied that the animal is licensed and that the owner has taken steps to assure that the dog and/or cat will not again roam or run at large in the manner described in Section 6.06.070. In exercising the authority granted by Sections 6.06.070 through 6.06.100, the agency may impose reasonable conditions which must be satisfied by an owner as conditions precedent to the release of any dog and/or cat, including conditions assuring that dogs and/or cats will be confined and that female dogs and/or cats which have run at large while in heat will be spayed. (Ord. 40 § 3 (part), 1996.)
6.06.100Owner of Dog at Large - Penalty.
Any person who owns or is charged with the custody of any dog which roams or runs at large in the manner described in Section 6.06.070, whether or not the dog is impounded, is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 40 § 3 (part), 1996.)