In addition to the fact there it is the law, there are other reasons to purchase a license and have your dog wear it.

1.     A lost dog and its owner can be identified by the license tag, eliminating searches, newspaper ads, etc.

2.     You will be notified if your dog should be impounded.

3.     A dog wearing a current license would receive emergency medical care if injured and impounded.

Every person owning or keeping a dog in Hood River County must purchase a DOG LICENSE when the dog is six months or age or grows its permanent canine teeth, whichever comes first.

OR

Within 30 days of becoming owner or keeper.

OR

Within 30 days of moving into the County

Dog license expire one year from the month of purchase, and you are given until the last day of that month for renewal without a late penalty.

You must have a valid RABIES INOCULATION CERTIFICATE issued and signed by the veterinarian at the time of licensing.  The expiration date of the dog license cannot exceed the expiration date of the rabies certification by more than two months.

For altered dogs, you must have a SPAY OR NUETER CERTIFICATE with a complete description of the dog and the date of the surgery to obtain the discounted license rate for altered dogs.  

It is unlawful for your dog to “RUN AT LARGE” anywhere in Hood River County.  Your dog may be impounded if found running at large, and or citations may be issued to the owner or keeper of the dog.

A dog shall be considered “RUNNING AT LARGE” when it leaves its property and it is not in the company or under control of its owner or keeper.

It shall be a violation for the owner or keeper of a dog to: 

• Permit a dog to run at large.
• Allow a dog to become a public nuisance.
• To keep a vicious or dangerous dog.
• To keep a dog with knowledge that it was injured, chased, wounded or killed livestock.
• To keep a dog without a license attached to its collar, except when the tag is affixed to a pen or enclosure if the dog is kept at all times within that pen or enclosure.
• To keep an unlicensed dog.
• To keep a dog which has not received its rabies inoculation.
• To leave a dog tethered, unattended on property not owned by the owner or keeper of the dog.  This does not apply to dogs in or upon a vehicle.

It is unlawful to allow a dog to become a "PUBLIC NUISANCE".  A dog is considered a "PUBLIC NUISANCE" if it:

·       Bites a person.

·       Chases vehicles, persons, livestock or domestic pets.

·       Scatters garbage.

·       Trespasses on property of others.

·       Disturbs any person by frequent or prolonged noise.

·       It is a female dog in heat and running at large.

·       Damages or destroys property of other.

·       Deposits animal waste on property of others.

If you have a problem or situation with someone’s dog or livestock that you need help resolving, you may file a complaint with Animal Control by calling (541) 386-2711 or on Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm (541) 387-7037.

You will need to provide the following information for us to initiate our investigation:

· Physical location of the offending animal.

· Description of the animal.

· What kind of complaint you are filing.

If it’s hot, your pet, left in an automobile may be in trouble!

On a warm summer day the temperature inside of a car can rapidly reach harmful and even deadly levels.  On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside your car (even parked in the shade with the window slightly opened) can reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes.  In 30 minutes it will go up to 120 degrees.  On warmer days it will go even higher.

Pet owners please take precautions to prevent serious harm or the death of your pet by keeping it at home on warm days.

It is unlawful to commit acts of abuse, cruelty, neglect and abandonment to animals.

Whether by deliberate actions or negligence, causing physical injury, leaving an animal without continued care or depriving animals of “minimum care requirements” that include water, food, adequate shelter and veterinary care are all criminal acts.

If you observe any animal you believe is not receiving proper care contact Animal Control immediately at (541)-386-2711 or on Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm (541)-387-7037.

Dogs shall not be allowed to kill, wound, injure or chase livestock.

Any dogs that kills, wounds, injures livestock not belonging to the owner/keeper of the dog may be killed immediately by any person.

The owner/keeper of such a dog is responsible for any amount up to double the amount of damages.