Discussion and possible action on any and all matters regarding Ordinance No. 445.  An ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Luis, Arizona, amending Chapter 6.05 Animal Control of the City of San Luis by adding provisions for definitions and licensing; providing for penalties; repealing any conflicting provisions; and providing for severability.  (Nigel Reynoso, Administrative Lieutenant) 

A. Action on reading Ordinance No. 445 by title only
B. Action on Ordinance No. 445

This is an amendment to the City Code, Chapter 6.05 Animal Control.  This ordinance allows the City of San Luis to handle dog licensing for pet dogs within the city limits, rather than relying on Yuma County.

After proper notice, Resolution No. 2278 was originally presented to the City Council and approved on June 28, 2023, which set the fees for licensing dogs.  An ordinance that amends the City Code and allows the city to license dogs and impose penalties on dog owners for not having a license is being presented by this Agenda Item.  The public purpose for having a dog license is to be sure dogs are properly vaccinated against rabies.  According to the CDC, rabies is a viral disease spread by bites and scratches from infected animals, and in humans, if not treated can cause disease in the brain and death.  (See https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html#:~:text=Rabies%20is%20a%20fatal%20but,raccoons%2C%20skunks%2C%20and%20foxes.) 

Fees
The license fees set in June are as follows:

FIXED PETS
1-year license $15; 2-year $26; and 3-year $37

NON-FIXED PETS
1-year license $30; 2-year $55; 3-year $75

Summary of Ordinance No. 445 in this Agenda Item

Assistant City Attorney Glenn Gimbut researched other Arizona cities' dog license codes and found these provisions to be standard and conform to local conditions.

-Dogs must be over three (3) months old to be vaccinated and licensed.
-Guide dogs for the blind or those non-profits that train dogs to be guide dogs for the blind shall be licensed but are exempt from paying a licensing fee.
-Dogs belonging to a law enforcement agency shall be licensed but are exempt from paying a licensing fee.
-The city will issue dog tags for the licensed dogs.
-Dog owners who fail to license their dogs or falsify the tags are guilty of a misdemeanor, and every day the violation continues is a separate misdemeanor.
-When the dog gets a new owner, the new owner must secure a transfer of the dog license.
-A dog without a tag is deemed to be unowned.
-A dog who has an owner, but is taken to the pound shall be vaccinated before being released to the owner.  The owner shall bear the cost of the vaccination.
-Dog owners moving into the city who have a dog license from elsewhere may be licensed in San Luis with a vaccination certificate.
-Unfortunately, Arizona law does not allow the city to recognize vaccination certificates from Mexico.

Effective
The ordinance will become effective 30 days after City Council passes it.