[Adopted by L.L. No. 1-2010 (Ch. 161, Art. VI, of the 1989 Code)]
The purpose of this article is to provide for the licensing
and identification of dogs within the City of Plattsburgh.
A.
Any dog harbored within the City of Plattsburgh which is owned by
a resident of New York City or licensed by the City of New York, or
which is owned by a nonresident of New York State and licensed by
a jurisdiction outside the State of New York, shall for a period of
30 days be exempt from this article.
B.
This article shall not apply to any dog confined to the premises
of any public or private hospital devoted solely to the treatment
of sick animals, or confined for the purposes of research to the premises
of any college or other educational or research institution.
C.
This article shall not apply to any dog confined to the premises
of any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of breeding
or raising dogs for profit and licensed as a Class A dealer under
the Federal Laboratory Animal Welfare Act.
As used in this article, the following words shall have the
following respective meanings:
The officer appointed by the City for the purpose of being
responsible for the control of dogs and other animals.
Designates the area within the corporate limits of the City
of Plattsburgh.
The Clerk of the City of Plattsburgh by whom licenses are
validated or issued pursuant to this article.
Any member of the species canis familiaris.
To provide food or shelter to any dog.
A tag issued by the licensing municipality which sets forth
an identification number, together with the name of the City, the
State of New York, contact information, including telephone number
for the City and such other information as the City deems appropriate.
Any dog carrying an identification tag as provided in this
article.
Any person who harbors or keeps any dog.
The person in whose name any dog was last licensed pursuant
to this article or the State of New York (if prior to January 1, 2011),
except that if any license is issued on application of a person under
18 years of age, the "owner of record" shall be deemed to be the parent
or guardian of such person.
Any individual, corporation, partnership, association, municipality,
or other legal entity.
Any guide dog, hearing dog, service dog, war dog, working
search dog, detection dog, police work dog or therapy dog, as those
terms are defined in § 108 of Article 7 of the New York
State Agriculture and Markets Law.
A dog that has been spayed or neutered by a veterinarian,
or a dog whose life would be endangered by spaying or neutering as
evidenced by a written statement to that effect from a veterinarian.
A.
All dogs harbored within the City that are four months of age or
older, unless otherwise exempted, must be licensed.
B.
Licenses shall be issued the City Clerk. The owner shall file a dog
license application with the City Clerk. The application shall identify
the dog and the owner and include such information as the City Clerk
may require.
C.
The license applicant shall provide proof that the dog has been vaccinated
against rabies or a statement from a licensed veterinarian that such
vaccination would endanger the dog's life, in which case vaccination
shall not be required.
D.
Where a dog is spayed or neutered, the license applicant shall provide
a veterinarian's certificate to that effect.
E.
The license application shall become the license for the dog when
it is signed by the City Clerk. The Clerk shall provide a copy of
the license to the owner and retain a copy in the City records. Upon
request, license information shall be made available by the City to
the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and
Markets for purposes of rabies and other animal disease control efforts
and actions.
F.
Each license issued or renewed shall be valid for a period of one
year from the date of issuance and shall not be transferable. Each
license shall expire on the last day of the last month of the period
for which it is issued. Upon the transfer of ownership of any dog,
the new owner shall immediately make application for a license for
such dog.
G.
If an owner applies for a new or renewal license, and the City Clerk
determines the dog should have been licensed for the period that it
did not have a license, the owner shall not be liable for a fine,
but in addition to the license fee the owner shall pay a charge equal
to the license fee payable during the period the dog was unlicensed.
H.
If a dog dies or is transferred before the license expires, the license
fee shall not be refunded.
I.
The owner of record shall promptly notify the City Clerk of a change
of his residence.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The fees and charges for a dog license may be set or amended
from time to time by resolution of the Common Council. If a license
tag is lost or damaged, it may be replaced upon payment of the replacement
tag fee.
A.
At the time a dog is first licensed, it shall be issued a City identification
number and tag which shall be affixed to a collar which shall be worn
by the dog at all times.
B.
A dog participating in a dog show shall be exempt from the dog tag
and collar requirement during such show.
C.
No tag carrying an identification number shall be affixed to the
collar of any dog other than the one to which that number has been
assigned.
D.
Service dogs shall be licensed and wear dog tags.
A.
If ownership of a licensed dog is transferred, within 10 days of
transfer the owner of record shall notify the City Clerk in writing.
Until such notice is given, the owner of record shall be liable for
violations of this article.
B.
If a licensed dog is lost or stolen, the owner shall file with the
Clerk a written report of such loss or theft within 10 days. The owner
shall not be liable for any violation of this article committed after
such report is filed.
A.
It shall be a violation, punishable as provided in Subsection B of this section, for an owner to:
B.
A violation of this article shall constitute an offense punishable
by the issuance of an appearance ticket. The maximum fines shall be:
$50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense and $250 for
the third offense.
