Fort Jones Municipal Code Ch. 6.20 Dog Licenses

(a) Any person residing within the incorporated area of the town and owning, keeping, harboring, having custody or control of any dog over four months of age shall register and purchase a dog license for each dog in their custody. New residents owning or possessing a dog four months of age or older must register the dog and purchase a dog license within 30 days of becoming a resident of the town.

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any of the following:

(1) Any dog brought into the town for the purpose of participating in any dog show, dog exhibition, field trials or competitions scheduled not more than 30 days thereafter.

(2) Any dog owned or in the possession of a nonresident of the town which is not to be maintained in the town for a period exceeding 30 days.

(3) Any dog owned or in the possession of a resident of the town which is not to be maintained in the town for a period not exceeding 30 days.

(Ord. No. 2021-1, exh. A(6.12.030), (6.12.040), 3-8-2021)

(a) Upon application, payment of the required license fee, and compliance with this section, the clerk shall issue the license and a corresponding metal dog tag with the license number stamped thereon. License fees shall be in the amount provided from time to time by the town council.

(b) The license application must be accompanied by a one-year or three-year rabies vaccination certificate with an expiration date of not less than six months after the date of the license application. The license expiration date shall correspond with the vaccination expiration date (either one year or three years).

(c) For altered dogs, the license application shall also be accompanied by a certificate, official patient chart, or other acceptable communication from a licensed veterinarian verifying that the dog has been spayed or neutered.

(d) Licenses shall include the dog owner's name and address, the date of issue, the expiration date, the tag number, and the dog's breed, sex, age and coloration. The licensing clerk shall keep a record of all licenses issued.

(e) Pack licenses for professional use may be purchased with proof of current rabies vaccination for all animals covered by the license. Pack licenses require a minimum of four dogs.

(f) Service dogs must be licensed pursuant to this section, but the license fee for such dogs shall be waived.

(g) The metallic tag shall be secured to the dog's collar and worn by the dog at all times except when the dog is being exhibited at field or is participating in obedience trials or other dog shows and exhibitions. License tags shall not be transferred from one dog to another.

(h) If a license tag is lost or damaged, the owner must apply for and secure a replacement from the town clerk upon payment of the prescribed fee, set by town council resolution, for the remaining portion of the license.

(i) No refunds of license fees paid pursuant to this section shall be made due to the death or other loss of the dog or the owner's leaving the town before the expiration of the license.

(j) License fees are due upon initial licensing and annually thereafter. Any person failing to procure and pay for a required license on or before the due date shall pay a late fee in addition to the applicable license fee.

(Ord. No. 2021-1, exh. A(6.12.050), 3-8-2021)

(a) If the town clerk or other official has reason to believe or determines that a dog in the town is unlicensed in violation of this section, the official shall report the violation to the animal control or code enforcement officer.

(b) Violation of this chapter constitutes an infraction punishable by a fine in the amount provided in the town bail schedule.

(Ord. No. 2021-1, exh. A(6.12.060), 3-8-2021)