Cicero, Indiana

BREEDERS shall follow the AKC’s Guidelines for Responsible Breeding including but not limited to:

(1)   Provide adequate care, shelter, space, and veterinary care to all breeding dogs and puppies as defined in this chapter;

(2)   Breed females no more than one time per year;

(3)   Screen buyers to ensure they can afford appropriate care and provide puppies a safe home;

(4)   Require a purchase contract with a spay and neuter clause and return to breeder policy should the purchaser be unable to keep the puppy for any reason; and

(5)   Obtain a breeder’s permit from the Cicero Police Department.

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BACKYARD BREEDERS.

(1)   Individuals who allow for the careless home breeding of more than one female dog at a time, or the breeding of one female dog more than one time per year for non-commercial reasons;

(2)   Individuals with less than 20 unaltered female dogs that are at least 12 months of age that do not adhere to good breeding and sale practices or do not provide dogs and/or puppies adequate care as defined in this chapter;

(3)   Individuals who breed any female dog in their care more than one time per year;

(4)   Individuals who sell un-weaned (under eight weeks old) and/or diseased puppies; or

(5)   Individuals who breed more than one female dog, for commercial reasons, that has not obtained a breeder’s permit from the Cicero Police Department.

(6) This definition does not apply to humane societies, rescue groups, or foster homes.

§ 90.20 MANDATORY STERILIZATION OF DOGS AND CATS; EXCEPTIONS; BREEDER’S PERMIT.

(A)   Each dog and cat over the age of six months which is kept in the town shall be sterilized and rendered incapable of reproducing by a licensed veterinarian, with the following exceptions as long as the requirements noted herein are met:

(1)   The proposed breeding operation complies with the Town of Cicero’s Zoning Ordinance;

(2)   A free breeder’s permit has been secured according to the process noted in this section;

(3)   Current pets are receiving adequate care, shelter, and veterinary care as defined in this chapter;

(4)   The animal is considered a competition cat or dog as defined in this chapter;

(5)   The animal’s health or a special medical condition puts them at risk for complications due to surgery according to an authorized veterinarian;

(6)   Owner is considered an approved breeder as defined in this chapter; or

(7)   Owner has not surrendered an animal brought to the Humane Society for Hamilton County or allowed an animal to run at large.

(8)   A person violating this section may be fined up to $500 per animal.

(B)   A free breeder’s permit shall be obtained by the following individuals:

(1)   Any person who intentionally causes or accidentally allows the breeding of a dog or cat they own;

(2)   An approved breeder as defined in this chapter;

(3)   Any owner or person having custody of a dog or cat that has delivered a litter or caused the delivery of a litter; or

(4)   Any person owning or having custody of a dog or cat which is older than six months of age, which has not been sterilized and for which the person owning or having custody of such an animal does not have a written certification from a licensed veterinarian stating that it is not in such animal’s best medical interest to be sterilized, but in no case after the dog or cat has attained the age of nine months.

(C)   Such breeder’s permit shall:

(1)   Allow the nonsterilization of animals owned by the permittee for one 12-month period after the date of issuance and the birthing of a maximum of one litter in a 12-month period in the permittee’s or any domestic household or establishment or any combination thereof;

(2)   Not allow the owner to offer for sale, sell, trade, or receive other compensation or give away more than one litter of dogs or cats from each permitted animal in such 12-month period; and

(3)   Require the holder of the permit to furnish the Cicero Police Department with information on the birth of each litter of dogs and cats as may be required by the Department to register the litter and be assigned a letter number for each litter.

(D)   The holder of a breeder’s permit shall:

(1)   Transmit to the new owner or buyer the litter number of the animal acquired and the breeder’s permit number in order that the new owner has assurance and proof that the animal was legally bred;

(2)   Immunize all dogs and cats offered for sale, trade, or other compensation or for free give away against the most common contagious diseases; for dogs against canine distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus and for cats against feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia;

(3)   Not offer a puppy or kitten under the age of eight weeks for sale, trade or other compensation or for free giveaway; and

(4)   Furnish a warrant of health for a period of not less than one week with the recommendation to have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian for each animal sold, traded, or given away.

(E)   Each breeder’s permit shall be obtained from the Cicero Police Department at no cost to the pet owner or approved breeder.

(F)   Each holder of a valid breeder’s permit shall register additional litters with the Cicero Police Department. Each additional litter registration shall comply with the same requirements as the original breeder’s permit. Failure to register each litter shall be considered a violation of this section and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100.

§ 90.25 BACKYARD BREEDERS AND PUPPY MILLS.

No person shall willingly, knowingly, or intentionally engage in, participate in, or assist with those activities defined as a backyard breeder or puppy mill in accordance with this chapter. A person violating this section may be fined up to $1,500 per occurrence.