A. Any person owning, keeping, harboring or having custody of any dog over three months of age within the city must obtain a license as herein provided.

B. Written application for a license shall include name and address of applicant, description of the dog, the appropriate fee and rabies certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian or antirabies clinic.

C. If not revoked, a license for the keeping of a dog shall be for a period of one year.

D. Application for license must be made within 30 days after obtaining a dog over three months of age, or within 30 days after an animal reaches the age of three months. This requirement shall not apply to a nonresident keeping a dog within the city for not longer than 30 days, provided the dog is licensed elsewhere.

E. License fees may be waived for certified Seeing Eye dogs, hearing dogs, governmental police dogs or other certified animals that are trained to assist the physically handicapped.

F. Upon acceptance of the license application and fee, the licensing authority shall issue a durable tag or identification collar, stamped with the name of the city, an identifying number and the year of issuance. Tags should be designed so that they may be conveniently fastened or riveted to the dog’s collar or harness.

G. Dogs must wear identification tags at all times when off the premises of the owner, except while being transported to or participating in a kennel club or training event, or races approved by the Arizona Racing Commission. In these circumstances, proof of license must be readily available.

H. The city or its designee shall maintain a record of the identifying numbers of all tags issued and shall make this record available to the public at all times.

K. Upon written notification from an enforcement officer to obtain a license for an unlicensed animal, a person must obtain such license within 96 hours. Such notice shall impose upon the owner a penalty of $25.00 in addition to the license fee.

L. The annual or multi-year license fees for each sterilized dog shall be in an amount as identified in the annual service agreement between the city and any designated licensing authority.

M. A duplicate license or license tag may be obtained upon payment of a $2.50 replacement fee.

N. If the ownership of a licensed animal changes, the new owner may secure a transfer of license upon payment of $5.00.

O. No person may use any license for any dog other than the dog for which it was issued. No person may counterfeit or attempt to counterfeit an official license or tag, nor may they remove such tag from any animal for the purpose of willful or malicious mischief.

P. If the applicant has withheld or falsified any information on the application, the licensing authority shall refuse to issue a license or may revoke an existing license.

Q. Any person having been denied a license may not reapply for a period of 90 days. Each reapplication shall be accompanied by a $25.00 application fee in addition to the license fee.

R. The city council may appoint a designee to act as the licensing authority to issue licenses, collect fees and enforce the provisions of this section. [Code 2006 § 6-1-2. Ord. 99-01, 1-12-1999; Ord. 2017-05 § 1, 8-8-2017; Res. 2017-18 Exh. A, 8-8-2017; Ord. 2019-01 § 1, 2-26-2019; Res. 2019-02 Exh. A, 2-26-2019. Formerly 6.05.020].