Argos, Indiana

§ 90.001 DEFINITIONS.

BREEDER. Any person, for-profit business, or corporation which harbors or keeps dogs and/or cats, and allows or causes those animals to procreate for the purpose of selling said animals for profit.

§ 90.031 SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF ADOPTED ANIMALS.

Any dog or cat adopted from a local humane society or animal care facility must be spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of adoption if the dog or cat is over six months of age. If the dog or cat is less than six months of age upon adoption, it shall be spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian upon reaching the age of six months. An exception is made only if a licensed veterinarian certifies that said animal is physically unable to undergo such an operation within the time limitations. The individual adopting the dog or cat must sign a written agreement with the adopting facility guaranteeing that such animal shall be neutered or spayed within the time limitations specified in this section.

§ 90.047 PETSHOP/BREEDER PERMIT.

(A)       (1)   No person, partnership, or corporation shall operate a pet shop or operate as a breeder as defined herein, in the town, without first obtaining from the town or its agent a pet shop/breeder permit and pay the necessary fees.

(2)   Any person holding a pet shop/breeder permit shall furnish to each customer purchasing a dog or cat a written statement at the time of sale containing the following information:

(a)   Date of sale;

(b)   Name, address, and telephone number of purchaser and permit holder;

(c)   Permit number of permit holder;

(d)   Species, breed, description, age, and sex of dog or cat sold;

(e)   Vaccination and parasite medication(s) administered to said animal and date(s) administered and name of veterinarian or person who administered the same; and

(f)   Guarantee of good health for a period of not less than one week with recommendation to have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian.

(B)   The permit holder shall retain a copy of said written statement for a period of 12 months from the date of sale, and provide a duplicate copy to the licensing authority if the purchaser resides within the town.

(C)   The permit holder shall also deliver to the purchaser at time of sale, a written statement of registration and licensing requirements under this chapter applicable to the purchased animal if the purchaser resides within the town. Such statement shall be prepared by the town and provided by the Animal Control Agency.

(D)   All pet shops and breeding facilities shall take care to house animals in a sanitary manner, provide appropriate veterinary services and humane care, and housing shall be provided according to the needs of individual species.

§ 90.051 ISSUANCE OF PERMITS.

(A)   Application for registrations or permits shall be made to the Animal Control Agency on such forms providing such information as is required for the particular permit and shall include name, address, and phone number of applicant, type of permit applied for, number and description of animal(s), proof of valid rabies vaccination when required by law, information regarding sterilization, and appropriate fee. Appropriate state and federal permit numbers must be provided in cases which involve wildlife or federally protected animals, or any animal which requires any state or federal permit.

(1)   All applicants must be in compliance with all other applicable state, local and federal laws, germane to this chapter, and the applicant shall not have been convicted of any cruelty to animal offenses as set forth in the Indiana Code.

(2)   Applicants for permits must agree in writing to on-site inspections by the Animal Control Agency prior to the issuance of any permit or at any time during the valid term of such permit, upon reasonable advance notice.

(B)   The Animal Control Agency shall have authority and discretion for the issuance or denial of all of the registrations and permits provided for herein subject to the following criteria.

(1)   No person shall be issued a registration or permit if they have been convicted of cruelty to animals.

(2)   Applicants must have proper facilities in place for such species before registrations or permits shall be approved.

(3)   Applicant shall exhibit sufficient knowledge and proof of previous experience in handling and keeping of such species of animal.

(4)   Applicant shall have no previous record of providing inadequate or improper care for animals.

(C)   Registrations and permits are to be issued for a term of one year, effective January 1 through December 31 of each year, and may be purchased during the first three months of each calendar year or within 30 days of acquiring the animal, whichever comes later, except the animal performance/exhibition permit, which shall be valid for 14 days.

(D)   Upon approval of application for pet-registrations or permits, the Animal Control Agency shall issue a pet registration or permit in written form which includes number of registration or permit, type of registration or permit, and all pertinent information. In addition, for each pet registration, the Animal Control Agency shall issue a durable tag stamped with registration number and year of issuance for each said registration.

(E)   The Animal Control Agency shall maintain records of the identifying registration, permit, license or tag for any animal other than the animal for which it was issued.

(F)   All fees shall be paid at the time of application and prior to the issuance of the permit or registration.

(G)   No person may use any registration, permit, license, or tag for any animal other than the animal for which it was issued.

(H)   It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, to cause to be manufactured, or to have in his or her possession or control a stolen, counterfeit, or forged animal registration, permit, license, or tag, rabies or neutering certificate, or other form of licensing or documentation required by this chapter.

§ 90.052 FEES.

(A)   In addition to all other fees required by law to be paid, the following fees shall be paid:

§ 90.054 PERMIT REVOCATION.

Any pet registration or permit provided for hereinabove may be revoked after notice and hearing before the Code Enforcement Department upon his or her finding that the animal owner/permit holder has failed to comply with any requirement of this chapter.