An ordinance amending the Metropolitan Code of Laws to increase dog licensing fees and to provide for a licensing fee differential for sterilized dogs.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Code of Laws requires that dogs owned, kept or harbored on premises in Davidson County be licensed; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Code of Laws currently does not provide for a licensing fee differential for dogs that have been sterilized; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government should encourage the spaying and neutering of dogs and promote responsible dog ownership to help control the unwanted pet population in Davidson County by providing for a licensing fee differential for sterilized dogs.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. Section 8.04.040 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws shall be and the same is hereby amended by deleting subsection A. in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following new subsection A.:

“Any person owning, keeping or harboring on the premises where they reside, any dog four months of age or over, shall pay to the chief medical director (director of health) a fee of five dollars ($5.00) for each spayed or neutered dog and a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) for each unspayed or unneutered dog kept or harbored. Certification of sterilization or registration identifying the dog to be licensed must be presented at the time the license fee is paid. The fee established herein shall not be applicable to registered service animals and law enforcement dogs, nor shall citizens sixty-five (65) years of age or older be required to pay such fee for a spayed or neutered dog. All licenses issued shall be valid for twelve months and shall expire on the last day of the month issued of the following year. A fee of two dollars ($2.00) shall be charged for a duplicate tag or a lost tag replacement.”

Section 2. The chief medical director (director of health) shall take the steps necessary to implement this ordinance within six months of its adoption.

Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Janis Sontany

Amendment No. 1
To
Substitute Ordinance No. BL2003-1422

Mr. President:

I move to amend Substitute Ordinance No. BL2003-1422 by deleting the phrase “fifteen dollars ($15.00)”, wherein it appears in Section 1, and substituting in lieu thereof the phrase “ten dollars ($10.00)”.

Sponsored by: Phil Ponder