Dog licenses due January 1

The Odessa Town Marshal’s office has requested that residents of Odessa be reminded that dog licenses are due for renewal as of January 1, 2012.

Most dog owners receive reminders printed on the town-generated utility bills.

Here are a few facts about Odessa’s animal control policy that residents may not be aware of:

All dogs residing within the corporate limits of the town are required to have a license. Current license fees are $10 per animal. There are exemptions for official police dogs, government-owned facilities and/or licensed veterinary hospitals.

All licenses are due for renewal on January 1 of each year, regardless of when your first license was issued. If a resident acquires a dog at any time during the year, even December, the entire fee is due for that year, and the license is still due for renewal on January 1.

The town code states that “It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation being the owner or custodian of any dog to permit any dog to run loose or be at large upon any public street, highway or public place, or upon private property owned or controlled by a person or persons other than the owner or custodian of the dog,,,”

It goes on to say that any dog found running at large is subject to seizure by any police officer, designated town authority OR private person, who then is to notify town authorities. Fines for infraction begin at $100 and top out at $200 per incident.

Research reveals that many towns or cities have more expensive and/or more complicated licensing systems. For example, a license for a neutered dog in Moses Lake is only $5, but increases to $150 for an unaltered animal. Owners are also required to submit proof that their animals are vaccinated when applying for a license. The penalty for an unlicensed dog in Moses Lake is $82.

In Spokane, the annual license fee for an altered animal is $45, and $70 for an unaltered dog.

Odessa’s town code includes provisions for declaring dogs to be a nuisance, potentially dangerous or dangerous. The owners of dogs declared potentially dangerous or dangerous are required to meet certain requirements to ensure the safety of people and other animals.

Finally, town authorities are empowered to impound dogs and to dispose of dogs after a 48-hour period if unclaimed by the owner(s). Any dog found at large, regardless of whether designated dangerous, may be impounded.

Dog owners are encouraged to be informed, and can obtain a copy of the town code regarding animals from the town clerk’s office.