6.08.040 Potentially dangerous dogs—Certificate of registration—Fee—Requirements.
A. Upon application therefor, and upon payment of a registration fee in the amount of $250.00, the animal control officer shall issue a certificate of registration of potentially dangerous dog to the owner of a dog so classified if the owner presents to the city sufficient evidence of:
1. Enclosure. A proper enclosure to confine a potentially dangerous dog, as those terms are defined in this chapter; and
2. Bond or Insurance.
a. A $50,000 surety bond issued by a surety insurer qualified under Chapter 48.28 RCW in a form acceptable to the city, payable to any person injured by the potentially dangerous animal; or
b. A policy of liability insurance, such as homeowner’s insurance, or a public liability insurance issued by an insurer qualified under RCW Title 48 and acceptable to the city in an amount of not less than $50,000 with maximum deductible coverage not to exceed $2,500 in a form requiring notice to the city of cancellation or nonrenewal of such policy not less than 30 days prior to its date of cancellation or expiration, insuring the owner for any personal injuries or property damage inflicted by the animal.
B. Such certificate of registration of a potentially dangerous dog shall be valid for a period of one year following initial declaration and inspection, and subsequent annual inspections.
C. The certificate of registration of potentially dangerous dog shall be in addition to the license required by AMC Chapter 6.04. The annual renewal fee for each potentially dangerous dog registered under this section is $50.00. The fee is due by January 1st of each year.
D. The owner of any potentially dangerous dog for which a certificate of registration has been issued by the city or any other city or county authority in the state, or the owner of any unregistered potentially dangerous dog, shall notify the animal control officer of the city in writing whenever such potentially dangerous dog has either been permanently removed from the city, or has become deceased, within 24 hours of either instance. The written notice to the city must provide the name of the person(s) who are responsible for and have custody of the dog, their phone number(s) and the address where the dog now resides.
E. Exemption to Requirements. A dog that for the first time is classified as “potentially dangerous” under the provisions of this chapter may be exempted from the certification requirements above, provided the animal has passed the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test of the American Kennel Club (AKC), as administered by any AKC certified trainer, received appropriate certification from the AKC, and that certification has been provided to the Anacortes Police Department. Such animal shall be retested at least once every two years and must pass each time in order to maintain this exemption. Any failure to provide current certification within the two-year time period or any failure of the animal to pass shall result in the permanent removal of the exemption. An animal shall be allowed one exemption. The exemption shall cease to continue or apply regardless of certification from the AKC or the passing of CGC testing if the animal acts in a manner that gives rise to a second finding that the animal is “potentially dangerous” under the provisions of this chapter. In the event the animal acts in a manner that gives rise to a finding that the animal has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered the safety of humans and/or animals and has been previously classified as “potentially dangerous,” the exemption shall cease to continue, and the dog shall be declared as “dangerous.” The exemption shall be noted on the dog license application. (Ord. 4021 § 1 (Att. A), 2022; Ord. 2955 Att. A, 2015)