It is declared to be the policy of the mayor and council that the city manager, or his designee, shall have jurisdiction for the purpose of regulating dogs, cats, livestock, wild animals or exotic pets within the corporate limits of the city and preventing, abating and removing nuisances or annoyances and offensive matters created by the keeping or maintaining of such livestock, wild animals or exotic pets. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

    A.    No owner shall fail to provide his animals with sufficient, good and wholesome food and water, proper shelter and protection from the weather and veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering, and humane care and treatment.  No person shall beat, cruelly ill-treat, torment, overload, overwork, tease or otherwise abuse or molest any animal or cause or permit any dogfight, cockfight, bullfight, horse tripping or other combat between animals.

    B.    Abandonment of any animal is considered cruelty. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

No person shall willfully kill, maim or disfigure any animal except as affirmatively provided in this Code, or administer poison or cause to be ingested, any foreign object to any such animal, or expose any poisonous substance with the intent that it shall be taken by any such animal except pests of public health importance.  This section does not limit the actions of a police officer or Animal Control Officer when the officer determines the existence of a public safety danger.  This section also does not limit a person’ s right to reasonably protect him or herself from a possible animal attack. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

It shall be the duty of every owner of any animal which shall in any manner come to its death within the city, to immediately remove the body or carcass of the animal and dispose of in a legal manner. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

Every female dog or cat in heat shall be confined in a building or secure enclosure in such a manner that the female dog or cat cannot have contact with another animal except for planned breeding. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

No person shall keep a vicious dog, animal, or any animal that manifests an disposition to bite persons, without having the animal or dog secured and/or muzzled.  Upon the conviction of a violation of this Section, if it appears to the Court that the animal is still living, the Court may, in addition to punishment of the owner, order the animal control officer to forthwith cause such animal or dog to be humanely destroyed. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

It is the responsibility of owners and property occupants to keep their property properly controlled of animal feces so as not to present a potential danger or nuisance to the public health.  If the city, or county health officer determines that a situation exists which is potentially dangerous to the public health, a violation notice may be issued.  Upon conviction, the owner or property occupant shall be punished as provided in 6.05.130 of this Code. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

It is unlawful for any person to own any animal over six months old for which a current license has not been obtained when required by this Code, provided that cagebirds, aquatic or amphibian animals and rodents need not be licensed. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

It is unlawful to break into the Animal Control Center, or turn loose or otherwise release any animal impounded therein, or to hinder, obstruct or prevent the Animal Control Officer from impounding any animal liable to be impounded. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

It is unlawful for any person, other than a law enforcement officer actively engaged in the performance of their duty, to hunt, shoot or kill by any means any wildlife or other game animal as defined by the laws of the state within the jurisdictional limits of the city. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

Any person, other than a law enforcement officer actively engaged in the performance of his duty, who kills or causes to be killed, any animal which has been registered and licensed as provided by this title, without the consent of the owner or possessor thereof, or deprives a registered animal of its collar, or puts a registered tag on the collar of any animal not registered, is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

No animal abandoned and in the custody of the animal control shelter shall be released or used or sold or otherwise donated for research purposes. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

Any person who injures an animal as a result of an accident with a motor vehicle shall stop and render assistance to the animal as may be necessary and shall further immediately report such accident and injury to the animal to the police.  Failure to stop and render assistance and to immediately call the police is a misdemeanor. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

A new resident to the City of Rawlins will be allowed thirty (30) days after residency to comply with licensing requirements of this title. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

This chapter shall not apply to the Carbon County Fair Grounds. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

It is unlawful for any person to keep, maintain, pasture, stable, corral or house within the city and within one-half mile beyond the corporate limits of the city, any livestock, wild animals, domestic fowl, bees or exotic pets without first obtaining a permit therefor, except upon the action of the city manager, or his designee, for special events and recognized youth programs. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

Application for a permit required by the provisions of this chapter shall be made to the city manager, or his designee. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

    A.    Upon approval of permits for the keeping, maintaining, pasturing or stabling of all such livestock, wild animals, bees or exotic pets a permit  shall be issued by the city clerk upon the payment of any permittee of an annual license fee.

    B.    The amount of the annual license fee and duration of validity for the permits shall be established from time to time by resolution of the city council and be available to the applicant at the office of the city clerk or designee. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

The city manager or his designee, shall, upon receipt of an application for a permit required by the provisions of this chapter, take such action upon the application as in their judgment will best serve, promote and protect the public health and welfare of the city.  Denial may be appealed to the Rawlins City Council. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

Any permit issued under the provisions of this chapter may be revoked or cancelled by the city manager or his designee at any time during the term thereof provided a written or verbal complaint has been received and the complaint shall thereupon be investigated by a committee composed of the city clerk, a member of municipal law enforcement and the municipal code enforcement officer, appointed by the mayor, which committee shall have investigated the complaint and submitted its recommendations to the city manager, which shall then, upon not more than ten days’  notice to the permittee, and after affording the permittee a reasonable opportunity to provide information, take such action upon the complaint, including revocation or cancellation of the permit as in his judgment will best serve and protect the public health and welfare of the city. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

Vaccination of Rabies is a condition precedent to issuance of a license or an adoption.  A current certificate of vaccination for rabies signed by a licensed veterinarian shall accompany an application for a license. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

It is unlawful for any person to keep, maintain or house within the city and within one-half mile beyond the corporate limits of the city, any dog or cat without first obtaining a license therefor. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

The fee for such license shall be set by City Council.  Commencing January 1, 1998 the license shall be issued for either a term of one, two or three years.  Every person within the corporate limits of the City owning a dog or cat, over the age of six (6) months shall pay to the city clerk, or designee, a fee set as follows:

A numbered metal tag evidencing the license will be issued with the license.  If an animal loses the City of Rawlins tag, a replacement tag can be issued for a fee set by Council. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

The city clerk shall keep a permanent record of all licenses.  Each record shall show the name and address of the person issued a license, the number of the license and tag, the type, sex, breed and color of the animal, the date issued, the fee paid, the date of expiration of the rabies certificate. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

It is the duty of Animal Control Officers and Police Officers to take and impound dogs and other animals running at large, whether licensed or unlicensed, and to place such animals in the animal shelter.  If a dog or cat is licensed, the Animal Control Officer shall attempt to notify the owner.  If a licensed dog or cat is not reclaimed by the owner within five (5) days of actual notification, the dog or cat shall be placed for adoption or humanely destroyed.  If the owner cannot be notified a licensed dog or cat shall be kept at the animal shelter for a period of five (5) days before being placed for adoption or humanely destroyed. An unlicensed dog or cat shall be detained in the animal shelter for five (5) days from impoundment before it is placed for adoption or humanely destroyed unless it is reclaimed by the owner and licensed or purchased for accrued fines and charges, including license fees by a new owner.  When in pursuit of an animal running at large, Animal Control Officers may enter unfenced private property exclusive of buildings and take the animal into possession for impoundment. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

The Animal Control Officer will assign each impounded animal a number which is to be recorded, along with available information about the animal, date and place of impoundment, date of release or other disposition, name of the owner if known, whether reclaimed or adopted; if reclaimed, by whom, and if adopted, the price and the buyer.  For each animal reclaimed or adopted, a duplicate receipt will be made with the animal’ s number on it.  The animal control officer will pay over to the city treasurer all moneys received by him/her. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

Any impounded animal which is suffering from any serious disease, or is maimed and suffering from injury will be humanely destroyed before the impoundment period has elapsed, subject to the provisions of 6.06 regarding rabies.  Any animal in need of veterinary care shall be released to the care of the veterinarian upon written or verbal request of the owner, if such owner can be found.  The owner will be responsible for all fees incurred. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

It is the duty of the animal control officer when a notice is given him that an animal has bitten a person, to take the animal into custody and notify the owner, if known, and notify the appropriate health officials. The animal may be immediately euthanatized or with proof of current rabies vaccination, will be impounded or isolated for a period of ten (10) days, provided that the owner may request in writing that the animal be released to the custody of a licensed veterinarian or boarding kennel at the owner’ s expense. If, after the end of the ten-day period the animal exhibits no symptoms of rabies, the animal may be returned to the owner by the veterinarian.  If impounded in the animal shelter, it will be returned to the owner by the Animal Control Officer upon payment of all accrued charges.  If the owner has not been found, the animal shall be disposed of after the ten (10) days.  In either case, the appropriate health officials will be notified of the animal’ s condition at the end of the ten (10) days.

No person, other than a licensed veterinarian or law enforcement official in the exercise of his or her duty, shall kill any animal suspected of being rabid, until after the animal has been quarantined as provided and the diagnosis of rabies has been made by a licensed veterinarian.  When the owner requests euthanasia or a veterinarian diagnoses rabies in an animal quarantined, then the animal shall be humanely destroyed and the head of such animal sent to a laboratory for pathological examination and confirmation of the diagnosis.  When the suspected animal is so vicious and/or wild that it cannot be captured and the police officer or animal control officer reasonably believes that capture is unlikely, the animal may be killed with gunshot not aimed at the head of the animal.  When dead, the animal’ s head is to be severed from its body and the head sent to the state laboratory for examination. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

A person maintaining a kennel who owns more than four (4)  dogs and/or more than four (4) cats which are over six (6) months of age except for the purposes of conducting a bonafide dog or cat show for public attendance and appreciation, must be licensed as a kennel or breeder and must purchase a kennel or breeder license.  Proof of current rabies vaccination must be presented for each dog or cat. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

All kennels, as defined in this chapter, shall in addition to the other requirements of this title, comply with the minimum standards of Sections 6.08.030 through 6.08.050.  Failure to meet these standards shall be grounds to deny or revoke the kennel license and confiscation of all animals.

All breeders, as defined in this chapter, shall comply with the standards of Sections 6.08.030 through 6.08.050. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

    Secure enclosures must be provided which allow adequate protection against weather extremes.  All kennel buildings must be appropriately humane. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

All animal quarters and runs are to be kept clean, dry and in sanitary condition.  All food and water shall be free from contamination, and of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to meet the normal daily requirements for the conditions and size of the animal. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

Each animal shall have sufficient space to stand up, lie down and turn around without touching the sides or tops of runs.  Runs shall provide an adequate exercise area and protection from the weather. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

An impounded animal remaining in the city pound for over five (5) days, without being claimed by the owner shall become the property of the city and shall then be available for adoption.  Animals surrendered by the owner because of viciousness or bad temperament, feral cats, and other animals which are reasonably determined by the animal control officer to be unadoptable may be euthanatized upon receipt of an order signed by the city manager or his designee.  When any animal is euthanatized after being surrendered by the owner because of viciousness or bad temperament, or when any animal which is euthanatized is reasonably suspected of having bitten a person, it shall be tested for rabies. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

Any animal impounded under authority of this title shall be released to the owner thereof upon payment to the animal control officer of fees set in 6.05.090. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

A surrendered animal shall be available for immediate adoption and shall be kept at the pound a minimum of five (5) days for possible adoption unless determined by the animal control officer to be unadoptable, in which case the animal may be euthanatized  upon receipt of an order signed by the city manager or his designee. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

Adoption of any animal shall be by a person deemed by the animal control officer to be a responsible and suitable owner, who will agree to comply with the provisions of this chapter and all amendments thereto; provided that no animal shall be released until fees defined under section 6.12.050 have been paid. Adoption of a dog or cat is conditional until the animal is altered as provided below in Section 6.12.060. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

A dog or cat impounded under authority of this title and available for adoption as provided in this chapter shall be released to the adopter upon payment of adoption fees as set in Section 6.05.090.  No household will be allowed to adopt any animals which would cause the household to exceed four (4) dogs and or four (4) cats. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

Any dog or cat adopted from the animal shelter shall be altered within fifteen (15) days of adoption, or as soon thereafter as the animal is old enough to be altered in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian.  By adoption of an animal, the adopter agrees to provide evidence of alteration to any animal control officer upon demand.  Any person who has adopted a dog or cat who fails, neglects, or refuses to have the animal altered within the time allowed, or who fails, neglects, or refuses to provide evidence of alteration to an animal control officer upon demand, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty ($250.00) dollars.  The animal control officer shall remove from the custody of the adopter any animal which is not altered within the time allowed.  Upon removal, the animal shall be immediately available for adoption and shall be treated as a surrendered animal. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)

The effective date of this ordinance is July 1, 1997. (Ord. No. 4-97, Enacted, 04/15/97)