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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
ORDINANCE: O-2006-33
SUBJECT: Amending Title 6 of the Lakewood Municipal Code pertaining to animals.
ADDRESS: N/A
RECOMMENDATION: Mayor and City Council approve the proposed ordinance.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
The proposed ordinance amends Title 6 pertaining to animals by establishing a dog licensing program. In early 2006, the Table Mountain Animal Center (TMAC) Advisory Committee, at the direction of the city managers and the county manager of Jefferson County, was asked to develop a draft model countywide ordinance addressing problems associated with dangerous animals. The intent of the ordinance was to improve community safety by providing consistency amongst municipal agencies in their handling of dangerous and aggressive animals. As a result of that proposal, the Lakewood City Council adopted in June 2006 several changes to the City's animal control ordinances by imposing greater restrictions and sanctions on irresponsible pet owners whose animals are dangerous, aggressive, or habitually at large.
The proposed model countywide ordinance included a recommendation for a countywide licensing program for dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals supports dog licensing. The advantages of a dog-licensing program include the following:
• Allows jurisdictions within the county to monitor and track aggressive,
dangerous, and habitual animal offenders across jurisdictional boundaries via
a countywide database;
• Assists in the reuniting of lost pets with their owners;
• Improves rabies vaccination compliance;
• Assists in controlling pet populations by encouraging spaying/neutering
through the use of a differential fee schedule;
• Provides a fund for the emergency treatment of injured animals; and
• Assists with the capital funding needs for the TMAC.
The Jefferson County Animal Control Division will administer the City of Lakewood's dog licensing program and distribute the dog licenses. To obtain a dog license, a dog owner must submit proof of a current rabies vaccination. Dog owners will have to obtain a dog license for any dog over the age of six months or within thirty days of acquisition of said dog or within thirty days of the dog owner moving into the City, whichever occurs last. The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners will set the license fees. A reduced license fee will be assessed if the dog owner provides proof of spay/neuter from a licensed veterinarian. The dog license will have to be renewed once every 365 days. Currently the County's license fee is $7.00 for spay/neutered dogs and $25.00 for unaltered dogs. The license will have to be displayed on a collar, chain, or harness worn on the dog. The dog license tags are a permanent 365-day (stainless steel, silver star) license tag without a year of expiration listed on the tag. The dog license number will be on the tag along with the phone number of Jefferson County. Once the initial license has been obtained, the countywide database will track when the license and proof of rabies vaccination is due. Each year when the County sends out the renewal notice, the pet owners will make any updates. The renewal notice will notify them if the dogs' rabies vaccinations have expired and whether they need to resubmit verification of a current vaccination along with the fee. License renewal becomes merely a matter of sending in the annual fee and updating information such as addresses, phone numbers, or changes in the emergency contact information.
The license fee will be used to offset the costs incurred by Jefferson County in administering the countywide program and for capital improvements of the Table Mountain Animal Center that serves as Lakewood's designated shelter for the boarding of animals impounded pursuant to the Lakewood Municipal Code. An intergovernmental agreement will be forthcoming that sets forth the specifics of this program.
DATE OF FIRST READING: November 27, 2006
DATE OF SECOND READING: December 11, 2006
ORIGINATED BY: Police Department
STAFF PERSON RESPONSIBLE: Janet Young, Deputy City Attorney,
303-987-7102
Holly Gilbertson, Animal Control Supervisor
303-987-7182
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED: Ordinance O-2006-33
SUBMITTED BY:
Ronald R. Burns, Chief of Police
REVIEWED BY:
Joni Inman, Director Mayor and City Manager's Office
Michael J. Rock, City Manager
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