Animal Control

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ANIMAL CONTROL:

The South Utah Valley Animal Shelter is used to shelter dogs picked up in Santaquin.

Phone: 801-851-4080

582 West 3000 North

Spanish Fork, UT 84660

South Utah Valley Animal Shelter Website

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:

All dogs in Utah County are required by law to have a current rabies vaccination and license. When you are ready to license your dog, you will need to bring proof of current rabies vaccination. The license can only be good for as long as the rabies vaccination is valid. Pricing is as follows:

	1 YEAR	2 YEAR	3 YEAR
Altered (Spayed/Neutered)	$15.00	$25.00	$35.00
Unaltered (Not Spayed/Neutered)	$35.00	$65.00	$95.00

For complete details in our City Code, go to: Title 5-Chapter 2, Animal Control.

BASIC INFORMATION:

Cats / Cat Traps / Best Friends Utah

Santaquin City does NOT pick up cats for any reason. There is currently no ordinance and the Animal Control Officer cannot pick them up; however, Santaquin does offer traps for a refundable $50 fee.

Spay/neuter resources are available to you! Concerned about community cats (aka free-roaming, stray or feral cats) in your area? You can help humanely and effectively reduce the number of community cats in your neighborhood by having them spayed or neutered. Fixed cats are less likely to roam, fight, howl and spray. The Best Friends Animal Society Spay/Neuter Clinic in Orem (845 N. 100 W, Suite 107) fixes and vaccinates community cats for free. Best Friends also provides spay/neuter vouchers for use at a participating veterinarian in Payson. To learn more about our program or to request spay/neuter vouchers or outdoor shelters for community cats, please visit bestfriendsutah.org/communitycats or call 801-574-2413. Best Friends Animal Society loans humane traps for the purpose of trap-neuter-return (TNR) through the Santaquin Police Department. For details, call Santaquin City at 801-754-1070.

Do you have unfixed pets?

The Best Friends Spay/Neuter Clinic in Orem offers free spay/neuter services for pets of low-income residents. If you do not meet the low-income requirements, your pets can still benefit from low-cost spay/neuter services. Call 866-PETS-FIX for details.

Dog At Large

See Santaquin City Code (5-2-9)

5-2-9: DOGS AT LARGE; PENALTY FOR VIOLATION:

A. Unlawful Acts: It shall be unlawful:

1. For the owner or keeper of any dog to permit such dog to run at large.

2. For an owner of a dog to permit such dog to go upon or be upon the private property of any person without the permission of the owner or person entitled to the possession of such private property.

B. Violation Regardless Of Precautions: The owner of any dog running at large shall be deemed in violation of this section regardless of the precautions taken to prevent the escape of the dog and to prohibit it from running at large.

C. Declared Nuisance: Any dog running at large in violation of the provisions of this section is hereby declared to be a nuisance and a menace to the public health and safety, and the dog shall be taken up and impounded as provided in this chapter.

D. Penalties:

1. Misdemeanor: Any person violating any provision of this section may be charged with a class B misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine as stipulated in the Santaquin City ordinance fine and bail schedule, by imprisonment as stipulated in the Utah state code, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that said violation is not mitigated will be considered a separate violation.

2. Impounding: Duly authorized agents of the city may indefinitely impound dogs which are nuisances or which have been treated cruelly. Owners shall be liable for any impounding and/or capture fees.

3. Loss Of Privilege: In the event that any combination of the owner(s) and/or resident(s) of any dwelling is/are convicted of any violation of this chapter on three (3) or more occasions during any twelve (12) month period, the judge shall order that no dog may be kept on the property so long as any of the aforementioned offending owners or residents reside thereon.

E. Retrieval Of Dog: Prior to retrieving an impounded dog, the owner will also be required to furnish evidence that the dog is licensed and is current on rabies immunizations, in accordance with sections 5-2-4 and 5-2-7 of this chapter. If the dog does not have a license, or is not properly immunized, a citation will be issued. The owner will then have up to fourteen (14) days to obtain a license and/or have the dog immunized and submit proof of such action to the proper authority. (Ord. 08-01-2013, 8-21-2013, eff. 8-22-2013)

Unlicensed Dog

See Santaquin City Code (5-2-4)

5-2-4: LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:

A. Licensure And Registration: It is unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, or maintain any dog over the age of six (6) months unless such dog has been registered and licensed in the manner herein provided.

1. Application:

a. Application for registration and licensing shall be made to the city, the district, or other entity approved for licensing by the city. The owner shall state at the time of application his name and address, and the name, sex, breed, and color of each dog owned or kept by him. The owner shall provide proof of the animal's current rabies vaccination and of its reproductive status at time of application.

b. The owner of any newly acquired dog over six (6) months of age shall make an application for registration and license within thirty (30) days after such acquisition, or when the dog attains the above stated age.

2. Annual Renewal: Licenses are to be renewed annually on or before June 1. Exception: New licenses which are purchased after March 1 of any year will expire on June 1 of the following year.

3. Issuance And Display Of Tag: Upon payment of the license fee, a tag shall be issued to the owner, a license receipt and a numbered metallic tag for each dog so licensed. The tag shall be issued on a onetime basis and the number recorded for purposes of animal identification. The owner shall provide each dog with a collar to which the license tag shall be affixed and shall assure that the collar and tag are constantly worn. It shall be unlawful to deprive a registered dog of its collar and/or tag.

4. Duplicate Tag: In the event a dog tag is lost or destroyed, a duplicate tag will be issued upon presentation of a receipt, showing the payment of the license fee for the current year, and payment of the replacement fee.

5. Tag Not Transferable: Dog tags shall not be transferable from one dog to another.

B. License Fees:

1. Fees: All fees for dog licensure are payable to the city prior to issuance of a license. Fees shall be based on the reproductive status of the animal.

2. Kennel Fees: Anyone operating a dog kennel shall be required to pay an annual kennel license fee, which shall be in addition to fees established for licensing of dogs.

3. Established: All fees shall be established by resolution of the city council.

4. Refunds: Refunds shall not be made on any dog license fee because of the death of the animal, or because the owner is leaving the city before expiration of the license period.

C. Licensing Exemptions:

1. Temporary Residents: The provisions of this section shall not be intended to apply to dogs whose owners are nonresidents temporarily within the city, nor to dogs brought to the city for the purpose of participating in any dog show or to board in any kennel.

2. Guide Dogs: Dogs used as guides for blind persons, commonly known as seeing eye dogs, shall be licensed and registered as other dogs hereinabove provided; except that the owner or keeper of such dog shall not be required to pay any fee therefor. (Ord. 5-06-2015, 6-3-2015, eff. 6-4-2015)

Kennel Licenses

See Santaquin City Code (5-2-4.B)

B. License Fees:

1. Fees: All fees for dog licensure are payable to the city prior to issuance of a license. Fees shall be based on the reproductive status of the animal.

2. Kennel Fees: Anyone operating a dog kennel shall be required to pay an annual kennel license fee, which shall be in addition to fees established for licensing of dogs.

3. Established: All fees shall be established by resolution of the city council.

4. Refunds: Refunds shall not be made on any dog license fee because of the death of the animal, or because the owner is leaving the city before expiration of the license period.

Dog Runs

See Santaquin City Code (5-2-4.B)

B. License Fees:

1. Fees: All fees for dog licensure are payable to the city prior to issuance of a license. Fees shall be based on the reproductive status of the animal.

2. Kennel Fees: Anyone operating a dog kennel shall be required to pay an annual kennel license fee, which shall be in addition to fees established for licensing of dogs.

3. Established: All fees shall be established by resolution of the city council.

4. Refunds: Refunds shall not be made on any dog license fee because of the death of the animal, or because the owner is leaving the city before expiration of the license period.

Rabies

See Santaquin City Code (5-2-7)

5-2-7: CONTROL OF RABIES AND RABID ANIMALS:

A. Rabies Vaccination Required: It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to suffer, allow, or permit such dog to be or go upon any sidewalk, street, alley, public place, or square within the city without first having had such dog vaccinated every three (3) years against rabies as provided in subsection B of this section within the past three (3) years, and without there being on such dog a collar or harness with a license tag thereon showing that such dog has been so vaccinated. Exception: Puppy vaccinations for rabies are good for only one year.

B. Vaccination By Licensed Veterinarian; Exception: Every owner of any dog over the age of six (6) months within the city shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies by a duly licensed veterinarian, shall secure from the veterinarian a certificate thereof, and shall attach to the collar or harness, which such person is hereby required to place upon the dog, a tag showing that such vaccination has been done; provided, that the city council may, by resolution, provide that the owners of any dog may themselves purchase serum and vaccinate their own dogs. The resolution shall also prescribe the conditions with which the owner must comply to obtain the tag herein required.

C. Reporting Of Rabid Animals: Anyone having knowledge of the whereabouts of an animal known to have or suspected of having rabies shall report the fact immediately to the animal control officer.

D. Biting Animal Quarantined: Any dog or other animal of a species subject to rabies which is known to have bitten or injured any person so as to cause an abrasion of the skin shall be placed in confinement under observation of a veterinary hospital or the city pound and shall not be killed or released until at least fourteen (14) days after the biting or injury has occurred in order to determine whether or not the animal has rabies. If the animal dies or has been killed, its head shall be removed and immediately taken to the state health laboratory to be examined for rabies.

E. Bitten Animal Quarantined: Any animal of a species subject to rabies which has been bitten by a known rabid animal or has been in intimate contact with a rabid animal shall be isolated in a suitable place approved by the animal control officer for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days or destroyed.

F. Knowledge Of Bite: Any person having knowledge of any individual or animal having been bitten by an animal of a species subject to rabies shall report the incident immediately to the animal control officer. (Ord. 2-1-97, 2-4-1997, eff. 2-5-1997)

Animals At Large

See Santaquin City Code (5-2-8)

5-2-8: ANIMALS AT LARGE:
No chickens, fowl, cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats, llamas, swine or other animals shall be allowed to run at large or to be herded, picketed, or staked out upon any street, sidewalk, or other public place within the limits of the city, and all such animals so found may be impounded. (Ord. 02-01-2015, 3-4-2015, eff. 3-5-2015)

Animal Cruelty

See Santaquin City Code (5-2-5)

5-2-5: CRUELTY TO ANIMALS PROHIBITED:
It shall be unlawful for any person to:

A. Treat In Cruel And Inhumane Manner: Wilfully or maliciously kill, maim, disfigure, burn or scald, overdrive, overload, overwork, torture, cruelly beat, mutilate, or carry or transport in any vehicle or other conveyance in a cruel and inhumane manner, any animal or cause any of these acts to be done.

B. Abandon: Abandon or turn out at large any animal, but such animal shall, when rendered useless by reason of sickness or other disability, be killed by the owner thereof and its carcass disposed of in such manner as to create no nuisance or hazard to health.

C. Poison: To administer poison to any animal or to expose any poisonous substance with the intent that it shall be taken by any such animal to cause harm or death. This provision shall not be interpreted so as to prohibit the use of poisonous substances for the control of vermin when applied in such a manner as to reasonably prohibit access to other animals.

D. Fail To Provide Care: Fail to provide any animal in his charge or custody with necessary sustenance, drink and protection from the elements, or cause any of these acts to be done.

E. Intentionally Exhibit: Intentionally exhibit any stud, horse or bull or other animal indecently, or let any male animal to any female animal for the purpose of providing entertainment or viewing to any person.

F. Maintain Place Of Exhibition: Maintain any place where fowl or any animals are suffered to fight upon exhibition or for sport upon any wager. (Ord. 2-1-97, 2-4-1997, eff. 2-5-1997)

Vicious Or Dangerous Animal

See Santaquin City Code (5-2-6)

5-2-6: DANGEROUS OR VICIOUS ANIMALS:

A. Dogs Attacking Persons And Animals:

1. Allowing Dog To Attack: It shall be unlawful for the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of any dog to allow such dog to bite, claw, attack, chase, harass, pursue or worry any person, any domestic animal having a commercial value, or any species of hoofed protected wildlife, or to attack domestic fowl. "Worry", as used in this section, shall mean to harass by tearing, biting or shaking with the teeth.

2. Owner Liability: The owner in violation of subsection A1 of this section shall be strictly liable for any violation of this section. The owner of such dog shall also be liable for damages to any person injured or to the owner of any animal injured or destroyed thereby.

3. Defenses: It shall be a defense to any charge under this section that the act was committed within the home or curtilage of the owner of the dog; and the person or animal attacked was not either an occupant, invitee, or a person within an area of the owner's property where a reasonable person would believe he or she would be permitted to enter.

4. Mitigating Circumstances: The following shall be considered in mitigating the fines or damages upon conviction of a violation of this section:

a. That the dog was properly confined on the premises.

b. That the dog was deliberately or maliciously provoked.

5. Allowing Dog To Attack An Animal: Any dog that acts in a manner that results in a conviction of allowing a dog to attack an animal under subsection A1 of this section, shall be removed from the city within five (5) calendar days of said conviction.

6. Allowing Dog To Attack A Person: The sentence upon a conviction of allowing a dog to attack a person under subsection A1 of this section shall include the euthanization of the offending dog within five (5) days of the conviction.

7. Dogs May Be Killed: Any person may kill a dog while it is committing any of the acts specified in subsection A1 of this section or while such dog is being pursued thereafter.

B. Fierce, Dangerous Or Vicious Animals: It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor any fierce, dangerous or vicious animal or vicious dog in the city. For purposes of this subsection, the term "vicious dog" shall have the meaning set forth in section 5-2-1 of this chapter and shall also include any dog that is or has ever been the subject of any violation of this section or of any similar law, statute or ordinance of another jurisdiction. Each day that said violation is not mitigated after written notice to the owner's address by the city will be considered a separate violation. (Ord. 08-01-2013, 8-21-2013, eff. 8-22-2013)

ANIMAL RELEASE

You may at anytime call the Animal Control Officer to take custody/ownership of any dog, if you feel you can no longer properly care for it or are afraid it may bite someone.

BARKING DOG

See Santaquin City Code (5-2-10.F)

F. Loud Or Offensive Animals: No person shall own, keep, or harbor any dog which by loud, continued, or frequent barking, howling, yelping, or by noxious or offensive odors shall annoy, disturb, or endanger the health and welfare of any person or neighborhood. A violation of this subsection shall be a class C misdemeanor, subject to penalty as provided in section 1-4-1 of this code, and such is hereby declared to be a nuisance, and each day a violation is permitted to exist or continue shall constitute a separate offense. This subsection shall not apply to the city pound, veterinary hospitals or medical laboratories.

DOGS IN HEAT

See Santaquin City Code (5-2-10.D)

D. Female Dogs In Heat: The owner of a female dog in heat shall cause such dog to be penned or enclosed in such a manner as to preclude other dogs from attacking such female dog or being attracted to such female dog so as to create a public nuisance.

Trespassing Animals

See Santaquin City Code (5-2-10.G)

G. Trespassing Animals: It shall be unlawful for any owner or caretaker of any domestic fowl or animal to permit such fowl or animal to trespass upon the premises of another person. (Ord. 2-1-97, 2-4-1997, eff. 2-5-1997)

Animal Trap Rental

For animals other than cats, the Santaquin Police Department also lends traps with a $50 check deposit. The check is given back to the payer once the trap is returned to the police department. If you have any questions, please contact the Santaquin Police Department at 801-754-1070.