It is unlawful to keep, or harbor, own or in any way possess a pit bull dog in Cathlamet, Washington, with exceptions for dogs licensed before the effective date of this chapter. Such dogs are subject to certain requirements, such as proper confinement, the use of a leash and muzzle, posting “Beware of Dog” signs, the use of special orange collars, photographs and tattoos for identification purposes, keeping $100,000 liability insurance, and vaccinating the dog against rabies. Any pit bull dog found to be the subject of a violation may be confiscated and even destroyed.
Chapter 6.10
PIT BULL DOGS
Sections:
6.10.010 Definitions.
6.10.020 Keeping of pit bull dogs prohibited.
6.10.030 Keeping of licensed pit bull dogs.
(1) "Pit bull dog" shall mean any dog over the age of six months known by the owner to be a pit bull terrier.
(2) "Pit bull terrier" shall mean any bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, or Staffordshire bull terrier or American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog or any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the breed of bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, or American Staffordshire terrier so as to be identifiable as partially of the breed bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, or American Staffordshire terrier.
(Ord. 345 § 1, 1991)
6.10.020 Keeping of pit bull dogs prohibited.
It is unlawful to keep, or harbor, own or in any way possess a pit bull dog within the town of Cathlamet.
(Ord. 345 § 2, 1991)
6.10.030 Keeping of licensed pit bull dogs.
(1) The provisions of CMC 6.10.020 shall not be applicable to any owners, keepers, or harborers, of pit bull dogs licensed by the town of Cathlamet before the effective date of this chapter. The phrase "licensed within the town of Cathlamet" and "licensed" when used in this chapter shall mean licensed pursuant to the terms of Chapter 6.05 CMC of the town of Cathlamet. The keeping of such licensed dogs shall be subject to the following standards:
(a) Sale or Transfer of Ownership Prohibited. No person shall sell, barter, or in any other way dispose of a pit bull dog licensed within the town to any person within the town unless the recipient person resides permanently in the same household and on the same premises as the licensed owner of such dog; provided, that the owner of a licensed pit bull dog may sell or otherwise dispose of a licensed dog or the offspring of such dog to persons who do not reside within the town.
(b) Animals Born to Licensed Dogs. All offspring born to pit bull dogs licensed with the town shall be removed from the town within six weeks of the birth of such animal.
(c) Reporting Requirements. All owners, keepers, or harborers of licensed pit bull dogs shall within 10 days of the following occurrence, report the following information in writing to the town clerk or town marshal as required hereinafter:
(i) The removal from the town or death of a licensed pit bull dog;
(ii) The birth of offspring of a licensed pit bull dog;
(iii) The new address of the owner of a licensed pit bull dog should the owner move within the town limits.
(d) Leash and Muzzle. No person shall permit a licensed pit bull dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four feet in length. No person shall permit a licensed pit bull dog to be kept on a chain, rope, or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person is in physical control of the leash. Such dogs shall not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, or buildings. In addition, all licensed pit bull dogs on a leash outside the animal’s kennel shall be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals.
(e) Confinement. All licensed pit bull dogs shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen, kennel or structure, except when leashed and muzzled as above provided. Such pen, kennel or structure shall have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides as to prevent such animals from escaping. Any pen, kennel or structure used to confine licensed pit bull dogs shall be locked with a key or combination lock when occupied by such animals. Such pen, kennel or structure shall have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen or the sides of the pen must be embedded in the ground no less than two feet. Any pen, kennel or structure erected to house pit bull dogs shall comply with all zoning and building regulations of the town. Any pen, kennel or structure shall be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(f) Confinement Indoors. No licensed pit bull dog shall be kept on a porch, patio, or in any part of a house or structure which would allow such dog to exit such building on its own volition. In addition, no such animal shall be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the dog from exiting the structure.
(g) Signs and Special Collars. All owners, keepers, or harborers, of licensed pit bull dogs shall within 10 days of the effective date of this chapter display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words "Beware of Dog." In addition, a similar sign shall be posted on the kennel or pen of such animal. All licensed pit bull dogs shall be identified by means of a blaze orange collar at least two inches wide.
(h) Identification Photographs and Tattoos. All owners, keepers, or harborers of licensed pit bull dogs shall provide within 10 days of the effective date of this chapter to the town clerk or town marshal two three inch by five inch color photographs of the licensed animal clearly showing the color and approximate size of the animal. The owner or keeper shall within the aforementioned 10-day period at his own expense have the license number assigned pursuant to ordinance of the town of Cathlamet tattooed upon such a pit bull dog by a licensed veterinarian. The tattoo shall be placed either on the upper inner lip or inside the upper left rear thigh of the dog.
(i) Insurance. All owners, keepers, or harborers of licensed pit bull dogs shall within 10 days of the effective date of this chapter present to the town clerk proof that the owner or keeper has procured liability insurance in the amount of at least $100,000, covering any damage or injury which may be caused by such pit bull dog during the following 12-month period. Such policy shall contain a provision naming the town of Cathlamet as additional insured and an additional provision requiring the insurance carrier to notify the town 30 days in advance of any cancellation, termination, or expiration of such liability insurance. Such insurance shall be renewed annually so as to provide continuous coverage and shall be subject to approval by the town attorney as to form.
(j) Vaccination (Immunization) Against Rabies. All owners, keepers, or harborers of licensed pit bull dogs shall within 10 days of the effective date of this chapter show proof to the town clerk and the town marshal that a licensed pit bull dog has been vaccinated against rabies within the last three years. Failure of any pit bull dog at any time to wear an up-to-date rabies vaccination tag issued by a licensed veterinarian who administered the vaccine shall be prima-facie evidence of the dog’s lack of vaccination against rabies and subjects such dog to immediate confiscation by the town marshal. All pit bull dogs shall be vaccinated against rabies every three years.
(2) Failure to Comply. It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper, or harborer of a pit bull dog licensed with the town of Cathlamet to fail to comply with the requirements and conditions set forth in this chapter. Each day of violation shall be a separate offense punishable by not more than 30 days in jail and/or a $250.00 fine. Any pit bull dog found to be the subject of a violation of this chapter shall be subject to immediate confiscation by the town marshal. Such animal shall be humanely destroyed pursuant to chapter of the town of Cathlamet unless a judge of a court of competent jurisdiction orders its release or the owner provides adequate proof to the town marshal that such licensed dog shall no longer reside in the town of Cathlamet.
(Ord. 345 § 3, 1991)