MARYSVILLE – Fines for failing to license cats and dogs will go up significantly under a draft law the City Council expects Monday to vote on.
The regional Everett Animal Shelter, with which Marysville contracts, is increasing its fees for taking in animals from $60 to $80 in 2006. Cities across Snohomish County now must decide how to cover the increased costs.
Marysville officials estimate the cost of housing stray animals in 2006 at $43,000, at least $1,000 more than the expected cost this year.
In an effort to spur pet owners to license their animals so they can be taken home rather than to the shelter when they get loose, Marysville is overhauling its pet licensing program.
The draft law’s provisions include:
* Free pet licenses for residents whose cats and dogs are spayed or neutered.
* $10 annual licenses if animals are implanted with a microchip that can help identify them.
* $25 annual license fees ($15 for residents 60 and older) for animals that are not fixed or implanted with a microchip.
* No more lifetime licenses.
* The city will charge owners an $80 impound recovery fee if the owner has not already paid the shelter upon recovering the animal.
* Increasing the fine for violation of the pet licensing law from $71 to $150 this year and to $250 in 2006.
The draft law may be amended regarding the $150 fine this year because several council members at a recent meeting expressed concerns about raising the fine before residents are apprised of the changes and have an opportunity to obtain licenses.
The council recommended that police issue warnings about the higher fine until January. The city’s goal is to get compliance, not issue fines, Mayor Dennis Kendall said.
Other provisions of the new law would become effective next month if the council passes the ordinance.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Monday with the Marysville School District. The regular council meeting will follow at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1049 State Ave. Both meetings are open to the public.
Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.
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