A. Failure to License a Pet Animal. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to own, keep or have control of any dog or cat considered a pet animal in the city of Lacey unless the person has procured a license. Failure to license a pet animal is a civil infraction. If a person is charged with a violation, the person shall not be determined to have committed an infraction if the person produces within fourteen days of the date of issuance proof of licensing or registering of the subject dog or cat under this subsection to either the court clerk or Lacey violations bureau. The court or violations bureau at the direction of the court may assess court administrative costs of $25.00 at the time of dismissal.

B. Issuance of License Tag. Animal Services or agents thereof shall provide an appropriate identification tag for each dog or cat licensed to persons applying, upon payment of the appropriate license fee. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of a dog to keep a collar or harness on the animal with the license tag attached if the animal is off the owner’s property. For cats only, a microchip may substitute if a collar is considered a hazard.

C. Supplemental Identification. Tattooing or microchip implantation are acceptable auxiliary means of identification but do not replace the license.

D. Lack of Authorized and Current Tag. A dog or cat without an authorized and current license tag may be impounded, except as otherwise set forth in this chapter.

E. Annual License Fees. License fees shall be adopted by reference as established annually by the Joint Animal Services Commission (JASCOM).

F. Date Due. All licenses granted under this chapter shall be valid for one year. All renewed licenses shall be valid for a period of twelve months following their assigned renewal date, and the renewal date shall be not less than twelve months subsequent to the issuance of the new license.

G. Licenses Nontransferable. Licenses shall not be transferable from one pet animal to another.

H. Tag Removal Unlawful. It is unlawful for any person to remove a tag from any dog or cat, or to obliterate any tattoo or microchip registered under this section without the permission of the owner or issuing authority other than in a medical emergency. A violation of this provision shall be a gross misdemeanor.

I. Kennel or Cattery Permit. A permit for a kennel or cattery may be granted for those land use zones where such use is not prohibited.

J. Exotic Animals. Owners of constrictor type reptiles over eight feet in length, venomous reptiles, and primates that are not otherwise prohibited, are required to comply with all state and federal laws for the keeping of such animals and annually register such animals with Animal Services by completing a form provided by Animal Services. Failure to register such animals shall be a misdemeanor and shall subject the animal to immediate impoundment. (Ord. 1633 §2, 2023; Ord. 1587 §1, 2021; Ord. 1256 §3, 2005; Ord. 1115 §1, 1999; Ord. 1038 §2, 1996).