City of Strafford, MO Article II Regulating Dogs

Section 205.050 Licensing Requirements.

Amendment

See Ordinance 802 in New Laws section for amendment.

2017-05-16

[Ord. No. 413-00 Art. III §1, 4-17-2000; Ord. No. 608 §1, 10-6-2008; Ord. No. 709 §1, 3-4-2013]

A. All Dogs To Have License. It shall be the duty of every person keeping a dog over the age of six (6) months within the City limits to secure and display on a collar worn on the dog's neck an annual license issued by the City of Strafford, Missouri. Application for same must be made within fourteen (14) days of kenneling the dog within the City limits.

B. Procedure For Issuance.

1. The Clerk shall issue a license upon satisfactory application by any person provided that the applicant satisfies the following requirements:

a. Pays to the Clerk the sum of ten dollars ($10.00) per license for each dog to be licensed; provided however, an applicant, who submits a certification from a licensed veterinarian that the dog sought to be licensed has been spayed or neutered, shall only be required to pay the sum of five dollars ($5.00) per license for each such dog; and

b. Submits a certificate of vaccination from a licensed veterinarian demonstrating that each dog to be licensed is currently immunized against rabies at the time of application for license.

2. Upon receiving the application accompanied by those items identified in Subsection (B)(1)(a) and (b) above, the Clerk shall issue a certificate to the applicant verifying issuance of the license, together with a metal tag bearing a registration number and the year of issuance, which tag shall be affixed to the collar of the dog for which the license has been issued.

3. Licenses shall be valid for a period of one (1) year and shall be due and renewable on the first (1st) day of January of each calendar year. Licenses issued after June thirtieth (30th) shall be charged at one-half (1/2) the total rate.

[Ord. No. 802 § 1, 5-15-2017]

4. The Clerk shall maintain records of all licenses issued pursuant to this Article. Such records shall include the registration number for each license; the name, address and phone number of the applicant; the breed, color, sex and age of the dog for which a license is issued; a copy of the immunization certificate; and a copy of the certificate confirming that the dog has been spayed or neutered, if such was submitted.

C. Kennels Or Boarding Facilities. Any person keeping five (5) or more dogs over the age of six (6) months for a period of more than one hundred twenty (120) days shall be deemed to be operating a kennel/boarding facility and shall be subject to the licensing requirements of the State Statute and all applicable City ordinances.

Section 205.060 Reasonable Control.

[Ord. No. 413-00 Art. III §2, 4-17-2000]

A. Reasonable Control Required. Any person owning, keeping or possessing dogs must at all times maintain reasonable control over said animal(s).

B. Reasonable Control. A person maintains reasonable control if:

1. The dog is held and/or restrained within a suitable enclosure; or

2. The dog is on private property with the consent of the owner of same and in the presence of either the owner or keeper of the animal or the agent of the owner or keeper; or

3. The dog is securely fastened to a leash, the other end of which is securely held by or attached to:

a. A person reasonably able to restrain the animal from escape; or

b. An object or device which is reasonably calculated to prevent the dog from escape.

C. Suitable enclosure is any enclosure which is reasonably calculated to confine the dog to a specific area and prevent the animal's escape and which does so in a humane manner. Any enclosure which prevents the animal's access to shelter or water for periods longer than four (4) hours shall be deemed not suitable for the purpose of this Section.

Section 205.070 Impoundment, Redemption and Disposal.

[Ord. No. 413-00 Art. III §3, 4-17-2000]

A. Impoundment. Any dog found at large in the City of Strafford shall be taken up by the Police Department or Animal Control Officer and impounded at a suitable facility for keeping of dogs.

B. Notice To Owner.

1. Licensed dogs. If a dog so impounded has a license displayed on its collar, the Police Department or Animal Control Officer shall send notice of the dog's impoundment to the person listed on the City's records as the owner of the license.

2. Unlicensed dogs. If a dog so impounded has no license displayed on its collar, the Police Department or Animal Control Officer shall cause a public notice to be posted on the window at City Hall.

3. Notices pursuant to Subsections (B)(1) and (2) of this Section shall state:

a. The dog's name (if known), breed, color and sex;

b. The owner's name and address (if known);

c. The date of capture;

d. The last date upon which the animal may be redeemed;

e. The name, address and telephone number of the facility at which the dog is held.

C. Redemption.

1. The owner of an impounded dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, may redeem such animals for one (1) week after notice has been sent to owner or posted pursuant to Subsections (B)(1) and (2) of this Section.

2. An owner of an impounded dog shall pay the City of Strafford ten dollars ($10.00) per day of impoundment before said animal will be released from impoundment or such other amount as the Board of Aldermen may set from time to time by resolution.

3. In addition to the payment of fees provided in Subsection (C)(2) above, prior to release of the impounded animal, the owner of a licensed dog shall provide to the impounding facility proof of identification and a receipt from the Clerk showing that all applicable fees have been paid.

D. Disposal Of Unclaimed Dogs.

1. Any dog which has not been claimed within five (5) days, including one (1) weekend of the providing of notice under Subsections (B)(1) and (2) of this Section, shall become the property of the City of Strafford.

2. The City shall dispose of said dogs in the following manner:

a. By transferring possession of the animals to the humane society for adoption; or

b. By humanely euthanizing the animal.

E. Responsibility Of The Owner. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, the owner of any impounded dog shall be liable to the City for all costs associated with the capture, impounding, euthanization and disposal of the animal.

Section 205.080 Quarantine Order To Be Issued By Mayor — To Be Published and Posted.

Whenever rabies becomes prevalent in the City, the Mayor shall, according to the necessity of the case, issue a quarantine order, requiring every owner or person in charge of any dog or dogs within the limits of the City, to either kill or impound his/her dog or dogs, or to have such dog or dogs immunized. Said order shall be published once in the paper officially publishing the business of the City; and in the absence of such paper, shall be posted as in case of sales of personal property. The Mayor is authorized by proclamation, to terminate any such quarantine whenever, in his/her judgment, the necessity for it no longer exists.