FAQs

What are the rules about dogs barking?: City Code Section 9.1.150. Dogs which disturb neighborhood. No person shall own, keep, or harbor any dog which by loud, continued, or frequent barking, howling, yelping, or by noxious or offensive odors shall annoy, disturb or endanger the health or welfare of any person or neighborhood. A violation of this section shall be a class B misdemeanor and such is hereby declared a public nuisance, and each day the violation is permitted to exist or continue shall constitute a separate offense. This section shall not apply to the City Animal Shelter, Veterinary or medical laboratories.

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Animal Control

1. How many dogs and cats can I have?: City Code Section 9.1.180. Number of Animals. It shall be unlawful for any person to have charge, care, or custody of more than 3 dogs. It shall be unlawful for any person to have charge, care or custody of more than 4 Cats.

2. What are the rules about dogs barking?: City Code Section 9.1.150. Dogs which disturb neighborhood. No person shall own, keep, or harbor any dog which by loud, continued, or frequent barking, howling, yelping, or by noxious or offensive odors shall annoy, disturb or endanger the health or welfare of any person or neighborhood. A violation of this section shall be a class B misdemeanor and such is hereby declared a public nuisance, and each day the violation is permitted to exist or continue shall constitute a separate offense. This section shall not apply to the City Animal Shelter, Veterinary or medical laboratories.

City Code Section 9.01.05. Dogs running at large:

It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to permit such dog to run at large.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of a dog to permit such dog to go upon the private property of any person without the permission of the owner or person entitled possession of such private property.
The owner of any dog running at large shall be deemed in violation of this section regardless of the precautions taken to prevent the escape of the dog and to prohibit it from running at large.
Any dog running at large in violation of the provisions of this section is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and a menace to public health and safety, and the dog shall be taken and impounded as provided herein.

4. What about dogs attacking my dog or cat?: City Code Section 9.1.10: “Attacking dogs. It is unlawful for the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of any dog to allow such dog to attack, chase, or worry any person, any domesticated animal having commercial value, or any species of hoofed protected wildlife, or to attack domestic fowl. “Worry,” as used in this section, means to harass by tearing, biting, or shaking with the teeth.” For more information regarding animals, view the City Code Chapter 9 - Animals (PDF) document.

5. Does my dog need to be licensed?: City Code Section 9.2.01: "It is unlawful for any person to keep, or harbor or maintain any dog 4 months or more old unless such dog has been registered and licensed in the manner herein. The owner or custodian of any dog shall obtain a license for the animal within 30 days after the dog reaches 4 months, or, in the case of a dog over 4 months, within 10 days of the acquisition of the dog. Person seeking dog license shall be 18 years of age or older.” For more information regarding animals, view the City Code Chapter 9 - Animals (PDF) document.