Why should I purchase a license and have my dog wear it?

• A lost dog can be identified by the license and brought home.
   
• If you are not home and your dog is impounded, we can notify you.
   
• If a dog bites and has a current rabies shot and license, it can be kept at home for observation, preventing costly impound fees.
   
• If your dog is injured, and needs immediate authorization for medical procedures through a veterinarian, we can run your dog's license and contact you at the emergency number you provided us when you licensed the dog.
   
• If you are traveling, and have a car accident, sometimes the dog is thrown clear, to end up lost in possibly another state. A dog license can be traced from anywhere, at any time. And with the emergency contact number you provided when you licensed the dog, we could contact someone to retrieve your dog.
   
• Failure to license your dog can result in a citation. A license on your dog helps the state regulate the assured compliance of the Rabies Ordinance established for the health and welfare of your community.

Every person owning or keeping a dog in Klamath County must purchase a dog license when:

• The dog is six months of age or has its permanent canine teeth, whichever comes first; or
• Within 30 days of becoming owner or keeper; or
• Within 30 days of the new one year rabies vaccination.

LAWS

Klamath County Animal Control enforces the following laws with Klamath County.

Licensing - Any dog six (6) months or with permanent canine teeth which has been in your possession within Klamath County for 30 days must be licensed (ORS 609.100).

It is unlawful for dogs to run at large in Klamath County. Any Peace Officer or Animal Control Officer may impound a dog that is found running at large.

No dog owner or keeper of a dog shall permit a dog to chase, kill, wound, or injure livestock not belonging to the owner or keeper of such dog. The owner or keeper of a dog that has injured or killed livestock is responsible for the amount up to double the amount of damages. Any dog, whether licensed or not, which, while off premises owned or under the control of its owner, kills, wounds or injures any livestock not belonging to the master of such a dog is a public nuisance and may be killed immediately by any person (ORS 609.150).

A dog is considered a public nuisance per ORS 609.095 if it:

• Bites a person
• Chases vehicles or people
• Damages or destroys the property of others
• Scatters garbage
• Trespasses on private property
• Disturbs any person by frequent or prolonged noise
• Is a female in heat and is running at large

For a complete list of ORS related to Animal Control, please click on the following link:

ORS 609  Animal Control

Dog Control is financed from dog license fees. With these funds, Animal Control investigates complaints such as loose or lost dogs, dogs in traffic dogs killing livestock or domestic pets, dog bites, and injured dogs, and many other problems.

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