TOWN OF ALDEN

DOG ORDINANCE # 14-2002

The Town Board of the Town of Alden, Polk County, Wisconsin, does ordain as follows:

SECTION 1.  LICENSE REQUIREMENT.  Every person, pursuant to Chapter 174, Wisconsin Statutes, and this ordinance, residing in the Town of Alden, who owns a dog that on January 1 is at least five (5) months old, or will be five (5) months within the license year, shall annually seek and obtain a dog license.

(a) The dog license fee for dogs in the Town of Alden shall be as follows: $5.00 for neutered male dog or spayed female dog. Upon presentation of evidence that the dog is neutered or spayed, and $10.00 for an un-neutered male dog or un-spayed female dog.

(b) The fee for any person who keeps or operated a kennel may, instead of the license fee, apply to the collecting official for a kennel license for the keeping or operating of a kennel. Such person shall pay for the license year a license fee of $40.00 for a kennel of twelve (12) or fewer dogs.

SECTION 4.   LATE FEES.  Late fees shall be charged by the Town of Alden in the amount of $5.00 if the license is not purchased by April 1 or if not purchased within thirty (30) days of acquiring the ownership of the dog.

SECTION 5.   COUNTY/STATE FEES.  Fees set by Polk County Ordinance, and/or State of Wisconsin shall be payable to the Polk County Treasurer for each license issued by the Town of Alden.

SECTION 6.  LICENSE YEAR.  The license year commences on January 1 and ends on the following December 31.

SECTION 7.   COLLECTING/ISSUING OFFICIAL. The Town of Alden Clerk/Treasurer and the Town of Alden Animal Warden are hereby designated as the collecting/issuing officials of the Town of Alden for all dog licenses.

SECTION 8.   FAILURE TO LICENSE DOG.  Failure to license a dog determined to be owned by a resident is subject to the fine as provided in Chapter 25.04 of this Code of Ordinances.

SECTION 9.   CONTROL OF DOGS.   It is the intent of this section to protect citizens from the ravages and damages caused by dogs, particularly those owned by people who fail to respect the rights of others. It is not the intent of this section to penalize farmers or others whose dog may for the first time and without their knowledge cause a disturbance.

SECTION 10.  DOGS NOT TO RUN AT LARGE.  No owner of any dog shall permit such a dog to run at large within the town..

SECTION 11.  ENFORCEMENT.   Enforcement of this section shall be carried out by the Town Animal Warden. If the identity and the ownership of the dog offending private property can be readily ascertained, the Animal Warden, may advise such owner of the dog's transgressions. This shall not limit the authority of the Animal Warden to immediately impound the dog or to prosecute such owner as provided in this section.

SECTION 12.  NOTIFICATION OF IMPOUNDMENT.  (a)  If the person who owns or harbors the offending dog, contrary to the provisions of this section, can be reasonably ascertained, such individual shall be notified in person or by mail that such dog is impounded.  (b)  If the person who owns or harbors the offending dog cannot be ascertained, the Animal Warden, shall post written notice within 24 hours after seizure and these notices shall be posted in three (3) conspicuous places in the Town, one of which shall be on the bulletin board at the Town Hall. Such notice shall be dated and if the owner does not reclaim the dog within seven (7) days, Sunday excepted, the dog shall be disposed of in the proper manner.

SECTION 13.  RECORDS.  The Animal Warden, and the Town Treasurer shall keep complete and accurate records of all dogs licensed. They shall also keep records of all dogs picked up together with monies received through payment of forfeitures and fees.  An annual report shall be provided to the Town Board at the end of each calendar year.

SECTION 14.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This ordinance shall take effect on January 1, 2003.

ADOPTED: November 14, 2002 PUBLISHED: November 20, 2002