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DOG LICENSING IS NOT REQUIRED

The City of Bella Vista does not require dogs to be licensed by the city. However, by ordinance, dogs are required to bear a physical tag on a collar with the owner's name and address or a microchip referencing the owner's name and address.

If your dog is picked up by Animal Control, it will be taken to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter.
First offense: A reclamation fee of $25.00 shall be paid unless the dog is microchipped prior to reclamation. In such case, a fee of $20.00 shall be paid.
Second offense: A reclamation of $25.00 shall be paid for a dog that has been microchipped prior to entering the shelter. A reclamation fee of $50.00 shall be paid for a dog that has not been microchipped unless the dog is microchipped prior to reclamation. In such case, a fee of $25.00 shall be paid.
Third and all subsequent offenses: A reclamation fee of $75.00 shall be paid. 

On a third offense, prior to reclamation, the dog shall be microchipped at the expense of the person reclaiming the dog.

WHY SHOULD YOU MICROCHIP YOUR DOG?

We use microchipping records to identify owners of dogs that are picked up by animal control, in order to return dogs home instead of taking them to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter. The information also enables us to know that the dog has been vaccinated for rabies. Provide your dog's information or submit questions to the city's Animal Control Officer via email to animalcontrol@bellavistaar.gov. 

OTHER REGULATIONS

  • No person owning, possessing, keeping, or otherwise responsible for a dog or cat shall allow it to run at large.
  • It shall be unlawful for the owner, possessor, or person otherwise responsible for a dog to allow it to defecate on property of a person other than the owner, possessor, keeper or person responsible for the dog, without immediately removing the waste from the property.