Animal control is an
owner's responsibility in Sedgwick County. If you live in an unincorporated
area of Sedgwick County, this information is important to you as a responsible pet owner.
Your peace of mind, the health and
safety of your pet, and your enjoyment of your pet depend on compliance with the laws
of Sedgwick County.
Q. How
can I avoid being bitten by an animal?
A. There are
several tips for avoiding animal bites. Those tips include:
- Don't play with animals you
don't own.
- Keep away from wild animals
like skunks, opossums, snakes, foxes and hybrids (domestic animals
crossbred with wild ones).
- Never play with an animal
while it is eating.
- Never try to capture a stray
animal; contact Animal Control instead.
- Use extra care when handling
an injured animal.
- If a dog appears to be
attacking, don't run. They are faster than you; running only
incites their urge to hunt. Instead, you should a) Stop; b) Drop; c)
Curl into a fetal position; and d) cover your head.
- If you are bitten, contact
the Wichita/Sedgwick County Health Department immediately at 268-8473. Get medical care as
soon as possible.
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Q.
Does Sedgwick
County law apply to me?
A. Yes, if you live
within any unincorporated area of Sedgwick County. If you live within
the corporate boundaries of the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County law does not apply.
However, if you live within the
corporate boundaries of any other city in Sedgwick County, Sedgwick County laws may apply
to you. Call your city clerk to ask if your city has an agreement with Sedgwick County for
animal control services within your city.
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Q.
What
does
Sedgwick County require me to do about vaccinating my dog or cat?
A. You are
required to vaccinate both dogs and cats against rabies each and every year, beginning
when the animal becomes five (5) months of age.
Your veterinarian will perform this
medical service for you. You will be charged a fee for the vaccination. Your veterinarian
will provide you a copy of your animal's vaccination certificate, which you must keep for
your records.
If, in your veterinarian's
professional medical opinion, your dog or cat cannot or should not be vaccinated
against rabies, you are required to obtain from your veterinarian a form called a
"Veterinarian's Confirmation", which you must keep for your records. Sedgwick
County has supplied this form to your veterinarian.
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Q.
What does
Sedgwick County law require me to do about licensing my pet?
A. All dogs
are required to be licensed in Sedgwick County; cats are excused from licensing. You
are required to license your dog each and every year. Sedgwick County has supplied
the dog license to your veterinarian. The license is valid for one year from the
date of the rabies vaccination (or "Veterinarian's Confirmation") of your
dog. As a convenience to you, your veterinarian can sell you your Sedgwick County
Dog License at the same time your dog is vaccinated. The License Fee goes to Sedgwick
County; no part of it goes to your veterinarian.
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Q.
Is there
any other location where I can purchase my dog license?
A. Yes, you
may purchase it from the Sedgwick County Clerk. To do so, you must appear in person at the
Sedgwick County Courthouse, County Clerk's Office - 2nd floor, 525 N Main, Wichita, KS 67203. You must
also bring with you either a document signed by a veterinarian proving vaccination against
rabies that is less than a year old or "Veterinarian's Confirmation" that is
less than a year old.
The County Clerk cannot sell you a
dog license without verification from one of these documents.
Remember: The license is only valid
one year from the date on either of these documents, and the license fee is not pro-rated.
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Q.
Once I
have my dog or cat vaccinated, and my dog licensed, what am I required to show to a
Sedgwick County Animal Control Officer, or Law Enforcement Officer?
A. Keep your dog
license, "Veterinarian's Confirmation," and proof of your cat's rabies
vaccination in a safe place.
For your dog: You are
required to show a Sedgwick County Dog License that is less than one year old. The
license either displays on its face the proof of rabies vaccination, or has the
"Veterinarian's Confirmation" attached to the back. You are required to
have a metallic vaccination tag affixed to your dog's collar. This tag is supplied
at the time of vaccination.
For your cat: You are
required to show proof of rabies vaccination or a "Veterinarian's Confirmation"
that is less than one (1) year old. (Your veterinarian will give you one of these
documents at the time you take your cat in for vaccination.)
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Q.
Are there
any laws that apply if I own a dog that has been declared dangerous?
A. Yes, you
are prohibited from obtaining a license for a dangerous dog from your veterinarian.
You are required to obtain a license from the County Clerk in person, with proof of valid
rabies vaccination or a "Veterinarian's Confirmation."
In addition, you must present the
County Clerk with the following information:
1. Proof of homeowner, renters, or other insurance acknowledging the ownership of
such animal previously determined, declared, or adjudged to be dangerous or vicious, and
demonstrating that such animal's subsequent acts are insured by such policy listing the
Sedgwick County Clerk as an entity to be notified ten days in advance in the event of the
cancellation of the policy for any reason; or
2. A surety bond in the amount of $50,000.00 acquired by the owner to cover any acts
of the animal that is previously determined, declared, or adjudged to be dangerous or
vicious. This bond shall list the Sedgwick County Clerk as an entity to be notified ten
days in advance in the event of the cancellation of the surety bond for any reason.
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Q.
What other
laws apply to my animal in Sedgwick County?
A. You must
keep your animal on your property or in your physical control at all times.
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©, Copyright, 2001 Sedgwick County Animal Control
last update: 05/29/07
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