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Dogs Code / Licenses
CODE OF THE City of SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA Codified through Ord. No. 50-00, adopted May 17, 2000. (Includes Ord. No. 93-99, Sept. 1 1999) (Supplement No. 1, Addition) ... PART II CODE ... Chapter 10 ANIMALS* ... ARTICLE II. ... DOGS AND CATS* ...
(a) There is imposed a license tax which is established in Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.87 on all dogs, regardless of sex, six months of age or older in the city, except that no tax shall be levied on any dog that is trained and serves as a hearing dog or service dog for hearing impaired persons or guide dog for a blind person.
(b) There is imposed a license tax which is established in Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.87 for a kennel.
(Code 1976, § 4-22)
State law reference(s)--Authority, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.85; amount of tax, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.87.
(a) On January 1 and not later than March 1 of each year, the owner of any dog six months old or older shall pay a license tax as prescribed in section 10-66.
(b) If a dog becomes six months of age or comes into the possession of any person between January 1 and November 1 of any year, the license tax for the current calendar year shall be paid by the owner.
(c) If a dog becomes six months of age or comes into the possession of any person between October 31 and December 31 of any year, the license tax for the succeeding calendar year shall be paid by the owner, and this license shall be valid from the date the license is purchased.
(d) The license period shall not exceed the period that the rabies inoculation is effective as certified by a veterinarian.
(Code 1976, § 4-23)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.88.
Every owner applying for a license for a dog shall exhibit to the treasurer of the city a vaccination certificate issued in the form prescribed by the city health officer and showing that the dog was vaccinated at some time during the 36 months prior to November 1 of the year in which application for the license is made with a modified live virus approved by the city health officer or showing that the dog was otherwise treated for immunization against rabies within 12 months prior to November 1 of the year in which application for license is made by such other method or treatment approved by the city health officer. No license shall be issued for a dog if the owner fails, refuses or neglects to exhibit such certificate to the city treasurer. The license period shall not exceed the period that the rabies inoculation is effective as certified by a licensed veterinarian.
(Code 1976, § 4-24)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.88.16-47--16-49)
Payment of the license tax provided for in section 10-66 subsequent to the issuance of a warrant or summons to appear before the judge of the general district court or other court for failure to do so within the time required shall not operate to relieve such owner from the penalties provided in this article.
(Code 1976, § 4-25)
Any person convicted of failure to pay the license tax required in section 10-66 prior to February 1 of any year, or as otherwise provided in this division, on any dog owned by such person, shall be guilty of a class 4 misdemeanor punishable as provided in section 1-14(4). Such person shall be required to obtain the proper license; and unless the fine and license tax are immediately paid, the general district court shall order the dog confiscated and properly disposed of by the animal control warden or some other officer.
(Code 1976, § 4-26)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.128.
(a) A resident of the city may obtain a dog license by making oral or written application to the treasurer accompanied by the amount of the license tax, and a certificate of rabies vaccination, presented as provided in section 10-68. The treasurer shall have authority to license only dogs of resident owners or custodians who reside within the city and may require information to establish the location of the residence of any applicant.
(b) Upon receipt of proper application and such certificate of rabies vaccination, the treasurer shall issue a license receipt for the amount on which he shall record the name and address of the owner or custodian, the date of payment, the year for which issued, the serial number of the tag, whether for a male, unsexed female or female dog or a kennel, and deliver the metal license tags or plates provided for in this article, together with the receipt.
A dog license shall consist of a license receipt and a metal tag or plate in a size and shape that can be conveniently attached to a dog collar. The tag or plate shall contain a serial number, the calendar year for which issued, the sex of the dog, and the words "City of Suffolk." The license tag or plate for a kennel shall, in addition, show the number of dogs authorized to be kept under such license and have attached a metal identification plate for each of such dogs, numbered to correspond with the serial number of the license tag or plate.
(Code 1976, § 4-28)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.90.
If a dog license tag shall become lost, destroyed or stolen, the owner or custodian of the dog with reference to which the tag was issued shall at once apply to the treasurer who issued the original license for a duplicate license tag. The owner or custodian shall present the original license receipt. Upon affidavit of the owner or custodian before the treasurer that the original license tag has been lost, destroyed or stolen, he shall issue a duplicate license tag, which the owner or custodian shall immediately affix to the collar or the harness of the dog. The treasurer shall endorse the number of the duplicate and the date issued on the face of the original license receipt. The fee for a duplicate shall be established by the city council and on file in the city clerk's office.
(Code 1976, § 4-29)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.91.
Any dog not wearing a collar or harness bearing a license tag of the proper calendar year shall prima facie be deemed to be unlicensed; and in any proceedings under this article, the burden of proof of the fact that the dog has been licensed or is otherwise not required to bear a tag at the time shall be on the owner of the dog.
(Code 1976, § 4-30)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.89.
Any person who shall make false statement in order to secure a dog license to which he is not entitled shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a class 4 misdemeanor punishable as provided in section 1-14(4).
(Code 1976, § 4-31)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.128.
It shall be the duty of the treasurer of the city to obtain the licenses and tags described in this article and have them available as needed.
(Code 1976, § 4-32)
The city treasurer shall keep a record of all licenses and tags sold, the amounts received and the expenditures made. At the end of each year, he shall destroy all unused tags. All receipts shall be deposited to the credit of the general fund, and all disbursements shall be made from such fund.
(Code 1976, § 4-33)
Dog license receipts shall be carefully preserved by the licensees and exhibited promptly on request for inspection by the animal control warden or other officer. Dog license tags shall be securely fastened to a substantial collar by the owner or custodian and worn by such dog. It shall be unlawful for the owner to permit any licensed dog four months old or older to run or roam at large at any time without a license tag. The owner of the dog may remove the collar and license tag required by this section when the dog is engaged in lawful hunting, the dog is competing in a dog show, the dog has a skin condition that would be exacerbated by the wearing of a collar, the dog is confined, or the dog is under the immediate control of its owner.
(Code 1976, §§ 4-34, 4-35)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.92.
The owner of a kennel shall securely fasten the license tag to the kennel enclosure in full view and keep one of the identification plates provided with the tag attached to the collar or harness of each dog authorized to be kept enclosed in the kennel. Any identification plates not so in use must be kept by the owner or custodian and promptly shown to any animal control warden or other officer upon request.
(Code 1976, § 4-10)
A kennel dog shall not be permitted to stray beyond the limits of the enclosure, but this shall not prohibit removing dogs from the kennel temporarily while under the control of the owner or custodian for the purpose of exercising, hunting, breeding, trial or show.
(Code 1976, § 4-11)
A kennel shall not be operated in such manner as to defraud the city of the license tax applying to dogs that cannot be legally covered under this article or in any manner to violate other provisions of this article. If the owner of the kennel is found to have violated section 10-78 or 10-102 through negligence or carelessness, the court may in addition to the prescribed penalty revoke the kennel license; and the owner shall be required to obtain an individual license for each dog.
(Code 1976, § 4-12)
Sec. 10-66. Amount of License Tax.
(a) There is imposed a license tax which is established in Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.87 on all dogs, regardless of sex, six months of age or older in the city, except that no tax shall be levied on any dog that is trained and serves as a hearing dog or service dog for hearing impaired persons or guide dog for a blind person.
(b) There is imposed a license tax which is established in Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.87 for a kennel.
(Code 1976, § 4-22)
State law reference(s)--Authority, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.85; amount of tax, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.87.
Sec. 10-67. When License Tax Payable.
(a) On January 1 and not later than March 1 of each year, the owner of any dog six months old or older shall pay a license tax as prescribed in section 10-66.
(b) If a dog becomes six months of age or comes into the possession of any person between January 1 and November 1 of any year, the license tax for the current calendar year shall be paid by the owner.
(c) If a dog becomes six months of age or comes into the possession of any person between October 31 and December 31 of any year, the license tax for the succeeding calendar year shall be paid by the owner, and this license shall be valid from the date the license is purchased.
(d) The license period shall not exceed the period that the rabies inoculation is effective as certified by a veterinarian.
(Code 1976, § 4-23)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.88.
Sec. 10-68. Vaccination Certificate to Accompany Application for License.
Every owner applying for a license for a dog shall exhibit to the treasurer of the city a vaccination certificate issued in the form prescribed by the city health officer and showing that the dog was vaccinated at some time during the 36 months prior to November 1 of the year in which application for the license is made with a modified live virus approved by the city health officer or showing that the dog was otherwise treated for immunization against rabies within 12 months prior to November 1 of the year in which application for license is made by such other method or treatment approved by the city health officer. No license shall be issued for a dog if the owner fails, refuses or neglects to exhibit such certificate to the city treasurer. The license period shall not exceed the period that the rabies inoculation is effective as certified by a licensed veterinarian.
(Code 1976, § 4-24)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.88.16-47--16-49)
Sec. 10-69. Payment of License Tax Subsequent to Summons.
Payment of the license tax provided for in section 10-66 subsequent to the issuance of a warrant or summons to appear before the judge of the general district court or other court for failure to do so within the time required shall not operate to relieve such owner from the penalties provided in this article.
(Code 1976, § 4-25)
Sec. 10-70. Failure to Pay License Tax on Time.
Any person convicted of failure to pay the license tax required in section 10-66 prior to February 1 of any year, or as otherwise provided in this division, on any dog owned by such person, shall be guilty of a class 4 misdemeanor punishable as provided in section 1-14(4). Such person shall be required to obtain the proper license; and unless the fine and license tax are immediately paid, the general district court shall order the dog confiscated and properly disposed of by the animal control warden or some other officer.
(Code 1976, § 4-26)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.128.
Sec. 10-71. Procedure for Obtaining License; Issuance & Form of License Receipt; Delivery of License Tag.
(a) A resident of the city may obtain a dog license by making oral or written application to the treasurer accompanied by the amount of the license tax, and a certificate of rabies vaccination, presented as provided in section 10-68. The treasurer shall have authority to license only dogs of resident owners or custodians who reside within the city and may require information to establish the location of the residence of any applicant.
(b) Upon receipt of proper application and such certificate of rabies vaccination, the treasurer shall issue a license receipt for the amount on which he shall record the name and address of the owner or custodian, the date of payment, the year for which issued, the serial number of the tag, whether for a male, unsexed female or female dog or a kennel, and deliver the metal license tags or plates provided for in this article, together with the receipt.
Sec. 10-72. License to Consist of License Receipt & Metal Tag; Form of Tags.
A dog license shall consist of a license receipt and a metal tag or plate in a size and shape that can be conveniently attached to a dog collar. The tag or plate shall contain a serial number, the calendar year for which issued, the sex of the dog, and the words "City of Suffolk." The license tag or plate for a kennel shall, in addition, show the number of dogs authorized to be kept under such license and have attached a metal identification plate for each of such dogs, numbered to correspond with the serial number of the license tag or plate.
(Code 1976, § 4-28)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.90.
Sec. 10-73. Replacement of Missing License Tag.
If a dog license tag shall become lost, destroyed or stolen, the owner or custodian of the dog with reference to which the tag was issued shall at once apply to the treasurer who issued the original license for a duplicate license tag. The owner or custodian shall present the original license receipt. Upon affidavit of the owner or custodian before the treasurer that the original license tag has been lost, destroyed or stolen, he shall issue a duplicate license tag, which the owner or custodian shall immediately affix to the collar or the harness of the dog. The treasurer shall endorse the number of the duplicate and the date issued on the face of the original license receipt. The fee for a duplicate shall be established by the city council and on file in the city clerk's office.
(Code 1976, § 4-29)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.91.
Sec. 10-74. Presumption Consequent Upon Failure of Dog to Wear Collar Bearing License Tag.
Any dog not wearing a collar or harness bearing a license tag of the proper calendar year shall prima facie be deemed to be unlicensed; and in any proceedings under this article, the burden of proof of the fact that the dog has been licensed or is otherwise not required to bear a tag at the time shall be on the owner of the dog.
(Code 1976, § 4-30)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.89.
Sec. 10-75. Making False Statements to Secure Dog License.
Any person who shall make false statement in order to secure a dog license to which he is not entitled shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a class 4 misdemeanor punishable as provided in section 1-14(4).
(Code 1976, § 4-31)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.128.
Sec. 10-76. Duty of Treasurer to Obtain Licenses.
It shall be the duty of the treasurer of the city to obtain the licenses and tags described in this article and have them available as needed.
(Code 1976, § 4-32)
Sec. 10-77. Lists & Accounts, Reports & Disposition of Unused Tags.
The city treasurer shall keep a record of all licenses and tags sold, the amounts received and the expenditures made. At the end of each year, he shall destroy all unused tags. All receipts shall be deposited to the credit of the general fund, and all disbursements shall be made from such fund.
(Code 1976, § 4-33)
Sec. 10-78. Displaying Receipts; Dogs to Wear Tags.
Dog license receipts shall be carefully preserved by the licensees and exhibited promptly on request for inspection by the animal control warden or other officer. Dog license tags shall be securely fastened to a substantial collar by the owner or custodian and worn by such dog. It shall be unlawful for the owner to permit any licensed dog four months old or older to run or roam at large at any time without a license tag. The owner of the dog may remove the collar and license tag required by this section when the dog is engaged in lawful hunting, the dog is competing in a dog show, the dog has a skin condition that would be exacerbated by the wearing of a collar, the dog is confined, or the dog is under the immediate control of its owner.
(Code 1976, §§ 4-34, 4-35)
State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-796.92.
Secs. 10-79--10-100. Reserved.
Sec. 10-101. Display of License Tag; Disposition of Identification Plates.
The owner of a kennel shall securely fasten the license tag to the kennel enclosure in full view and keep one of the identification plates provided with the tag attached to the collar or harness of each dog authorized to be kept enclosed in the kennel. Any identification plates not so in use must be kept by the owner or custodian and promptly shown to any animal control warden or other officer upon request.
(Code 1976, § 4-10)
Sec. 10-102. Permitting Kennel Dog to Stray Beyond Limits of Enclosure.
A kennel dog shall not be permitted to stray beyond the limits of the enclosure, but this shall not prohibit removing dogs from the kennel temporarily while under the control of the owner or custodian for the purpose of exercising, hunting, breeding, trial or show.
(Code 1976, § 4-11)
Sec. 10-103. Illegal Operation of Kennel.
A kennel shall not be operated in such manner as to defraud the city of the license tax applying to dogs that cannot be legally covered under this article or in any manner to violate other provisions of this article. If the owner of the kennel is found to have violated section 10-78 or 10-102 through negligence or carelessness, the court may in addition to the prescribed penalty revoke the kennel license; and the owner shall be required to obtain an individual license for each dog.
(Code 1976, § 4-12)