Pasco County |
Code of Ordinances |
Chapter 14. ANIMALS |
Article II. ANIMAL CONTROL |
Division 4. DOGS AND CATS |
§ 14-96. License tags required.
(a)
Requirements.
(1)
Every person possessing, harboring, keeping, or having control or custody of a dog and/or cat over the age of four months shall secure a county license from a veterinarian or from the department and, as a condition of obtaining the license, shall show proof of a current rabies vaccination which shall have been administered by a licensed veterinarian.
(2)
Except as provided for in subsection (c) of this section, all dogs and cats at least four months of age or older must have a current license tag. A license tag may be issued by the department for any period of time up to three years, coinciding with duration of the current rabies vaccination as documented on the rabies certificate. A license tag is not valid during any time period when the animal is unvaccinated or for which the rabies vaccination has expired.
(3)
In order to obtain a license tag or renew a license tag for a dog or cat, a current complete rabies vaccine certification must be provided to the department along with any and all applicable fees for the license tag.
(4)
The license tag may be obtained either from the department or a veterinarian. Only rabies certificates signed by a veterinarian and license tags approved for issuance by the department shall be valid.
(5)
All dogs and cats shall be required to wear a current Pasco County license tag at all time unless specifically exempted by this chapter. Every person who keeps harbors or owns any dog or cat four months of age or older shall cause a current tag to be securely fastened, by chain or other substantial device, about the animal's neck so as to be clearly visible at all times.
(6)
It shall be unlawful to transfer any tag, issued under this section, from the animal for which such tag was issued to another animal.
(7)
Changes in owner information. The department must be notified within 30 days of any change in ownership or any other change in the information submitted in connection with a license tag, including the address or telephone number.
(b)
Fees.
(1)
The fee for obtaining license tags shall be established by the board of county commissioners. There shall be a higher fee charged for license tags for intact dogs or cats than for tags for sterilized animals.
(c)
Exemptions to registration and license tag requirements.
(1)
Visiting dogs, cats, or ferrets. The license tag requirements of this article shall not apply to any animal that remains in the county for a period of 30 days or less per calendar year, and for which the department has been provided proof of domicile outside of the county, a current, valid certificate of rabies vaccination, and proof of compliance with any applicable registration, required license or permit required by the laws of the jurisdiction of domicile.
(2)
Ear-tipped cats. Ear-tipped cats shall be exempt from the license tag requirements of this section.
(3)
Rescue tags. Humane organizations as defined in this chapter, may obtain rescue tags from the department. Humane organizations with rescue tags must allow inspections of their facilities and records by the department. The department shall have the right of entry upon 24 hours' notice and at all reasonable times. The fee for obtaining rescue tags shall be established by the board of county commissioners.
(d)
Report and sale of license tags.
(1)
Postmarked no later than the tenth day of each month, all veterinarians, whether at fixed or mobile clinics, administering rabies vaccinations shall, as to each dog and cat vaccinated, deliver to the department one copy of the certificate prescribed under section 14-76 as evidence of each vaccination administered the previous month.
(2)
It shall be the duty of all veterinarians, upon vaccinating a dog and cat against rabies, to have Pasco County license tags required by section 14-76 available for purchase at the time and place of vaccination. All veterinarians shall also have Pasco County license tags available for purchase, at the time and place of presentation, by a responsible party who presents evidence to the veterinarian that the party's dog or cat has current rabies vaccination. All pet dealers who sell dogs or cats shall have Pasco County license tags required by section 14-76 available for purchase at the time and place a dog or cat is sold. Veterinarians and pet dealers shall display, in a conspicuous place that can be seen and easily read by all customers, a sign indicating that county license tags are required and indicate where they can be purchased.
(3)
Postmarked no later than the tenth day of each month, each veterinarian and pet dealer shall deliver to the department one payment containing the value of any and all license tags sold or lost, destroyed, or stolen the previous month. The department shall have the authority to assess interest for any payments received after the deadline established in this section.
(4)
Violations of the requirements of this section shall subject the veterinarian or pet dealer to civil penalties, except when such requirement would violate a confidential doctor-client relationship.
(Ord. No. 16-29, § 3, 10-11-16)