§ 4-23. Licensing of dogs and cats.

Any person who becomes the owner or keeper of a dog six months or older, shall cause the dog to be licensed within 30 days. The license period shall be for one year from the day of issue. Any license renewed after 30 days from its expiration date will be subject to a late fee. The city clerk or its agents shall issue dog licenses and tags on a form prescribed and furnished by the city.

The license record shall include the name, address, phone number and date of birth of the owner or keeper of the dog, and the name, license number, breed, color, age, sex, and the rabies expiration date of each dog and indicate whether the dog has been spayed or neutered. The license tag shall include the following: City of Westfield and a license number.

The owner or keeper shall cause each dog to wear around its neck or body a collar or harness to which he shall securely attach the license tags. In the event that any tag is lost, defaced or destroyed, a substitute tag shall be obtained by the owner or keeper from the city clerk at the cost of $5.00. Such monies shall be transmitted to the city treasurer in the same manner as license fees. The city clerk shall not issue a license for any dog unless the owner or keeper provides the city clerk with a veterinarian's certificate verifying that the dog is currently vaccinated against rabies.

The city clerk shall not grant such licenses for any dog unless the owner thereof provides either a veterinarian's certificate that such dog has been vaccinated in accordance with M.G.L.A. c. 140, § 145B, or has been certified from such provision as provided in M.G.L.A. c. 140 et seq., or has been certified exempt from such provision as hereinafter provided, or a notarized letter from a veterinarian that a certificate was issued.

(Ord. No. 1425, 6-28-06; Ord. No. 1448, 3-14-07; Ord. No. 1591, 10-3-13)