DOG LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

The City of Othello requires any person owning, keeping, or harboring a dog to be licensed once the dog has reached the age of four months or has developed a set of permanent canine teeth, whichever occurs first.  The City also requires annual licensing of dogs, and we encourage the citizens of Othello to purchase their dog license prior to January 31st. After January 31st, the annual fee increases. In order to receive the dog license, the owner must present the Certificate of rabies vaccination to assure the dog has current vaccinations.

Any dog found without a license or running at large can be picked up and impounded by the Code Enforcement Officer. Impounded animals are subject to impound and boarding fees. It is UNLAWFUL to keep or harbor, own or in any way posses a pit bull dog within the city limits of Othello. The City does not license Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, or any mixed breed of dog which contains the breed “Bull Terrier.”

The City occasionally has dogs that have been unclaimed and are available for adoption or purchase. Please contact the Code Enforcement Officer at 509-488-5511 to obtain a list of those animals. The Code Enforcement Office is located on the north side of the Public Works Building at 111 N. Broadway Avenue.

The dog license fees are as follows: 

For licenses purchased through January 31:

• If the dog is spayed or neutered, the annual license fee is $6.00 
• If the dog is not spayed or not neutered, the annual license fee is $15.00 

For licenses purchased February 1st or after:

• If the dog is spayed or neutered, the annual license fee is $10.00 
• If the dog is not spayed or not neutered, the annual license fee is $30.00

Once rabies vaccination is provided and payment is made, a license tag will be provided by the City for the year. The license tag shall be affixed to the licensed dog with a suitable collar or harness and worn at all times. 

It is unlawful to keep, harbor, or own a pit bull dog. Pit bull dogs includes any dog over the age of six months known to be a pit bull terrier, bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier breed, or any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the breed of bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, or American Staffordshire terrier.

It is unlawful for any dog to roam, run, or stray away from the premises where such dog is owned. While the dogs are away from their home, they shall be controlled at all times by means of a leash not exceeding eight feet in length.

Further information can be obtained from the City’s website at www.othellowashington.us . Follow the link to the Municipal Code, and go to the table of contents and review Chapter 6.04 entitled “Animal Control”. If you have questions regarding these requirements, please contact the City Clerk’s office at 488-5686.