The ordinance text, in full

Sec. 1-7. General penalty; continuing violations.

Wherever in this Code, or in any ordinance, rule or regulation promulgated by any officer or agency of the City under authority vested in him or it by law or ordinance, any act is prohibited or is declared to be unlawful, or the doing of any act is required, or the failure to do any act is declared to be unlawful, and no specific penalty is provided therefor, the violation of any such provision of this Code, or any such ordinance, rule or regulation shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $750.00, to which may be added costs. Each day any violation of this Code or any such ordinance, rule or regulation continues shall constitute a separate offense. In addition to any fine imposed under this section, there shall be imposed upon the violator costs not to exceed $10.00 which shall be deposited in the City of Worland Municipal Court account for costs.

(Ord. 390, § 2, 1-3-1974; Ord. 495, § 2, 7-17-1980; Ord. 508, § 2, 7-2-1981; Ord. 771, § 1, 3-17-2008; Ord. 843, § 1, 10-17-2017; Ord. 854, 6-16-2020; Ord. No. 862, § 1, 3-15-2022)  ·  Official text: Chapter 1 on Municode

Sec. 2A-22(E). General rules — Control of pets.

No person shall enter the aircraft operation areas of the airport with a dog or other animal. No person shall allow his pet to enter public use areas of the passenger terminal building, except those helping the disabled or secured in an enclosure for transport aboard an aircraft. Pets may be permitted in other areas of the airport if restrained by leash or confined in such other manner as to be under control. Owners shall be responsible for repairing or removing any damage or debris caused by their animal. Animals acting in an official capacity under the control of a peace officer, duly authorized post office, airport, or air carrier employee shall be exempt from area restrictions.

Subsection E of Sec. 2A-22. Violation of the airport article is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $750.00 plus costs under Sec. 2A-27. (Ord. 454, § 2, 9-21-1978; Ord. 739, §§ 2, 6, 8-16-2001)  ·  Official text: Sec. 2A-22 on Municode

Sec. 4-1. Running at large; generally.

1. Definition of terms. As used in this section:

   Animal: For the purpose of this section shall mean any and all types of animals both domesticated and wild, male and female, singular and plural with the exception of dogs and cats.

   At large: Off the premises of the owner or custodian of the animal or fowl, and not under the immediate control of the owner or custodian.

   Fowl: Any and all fowl, domesticated and wild, male and female, singular and plural.

2. Animals and fowl not to be permitted at large: No person owning or having in his custody animals or fowl shall permit same to go at large to the injury or annoyance of others, nor shall such animals or fowl be permitted at large upon the streets or other public ways of the City. Such action is declared to be a nuisance and dangerous to the public health and safety.
3. Property owner may impound: Any person finding any animal or fowl upon his property to his injury or annoyance may take up same and remove it to any private or other animal shelter that will take possession of it. If no such shelter is available, he may hold the animal or fowl in his own possession, and as soon as possible notify the Police Department of this custody, giving a description of the animal or fowl and the name of the owner if known.
4. Police to take possession: The Police Department as soon as possible after receiving notice will dispatch an officer to appear at the premises and take possession of the animal or fowl.
5. Return to owner: If the officer has or with reasonable dispatch can obtain the name of the owner or custodian of the animal or fowl, he will return it to the residence address. If there is no one at the address, he will leave a notice where the owner or custodian may reclaim the property. He will then proceed to the nearest animal hospital or shelter which will accept the animal or fowl and leave it. He will then secure or cause to be secured and serve or have served a warrant of arrest on the owner or custodian for permitting the animal or fowl to go at large.
6. Owner to pay board for animal: The owner or custodian who redeems an animal or fowl from an animal hospital or shelter will pay a board bill on a per diem basis in an amount previously agreed to between the City and the owner of the hospital or shelter, but in no event shall such payment be less than $2.00 for small animals and fowl, and $3.00 for large animals such as horses, mules, and cows.
7. Disposition if owner not found: Any officer or designated person picking up an animal or fowl and who after reasonable diligence is unable to find who owns or has custody of it, will take it to the nearest animal hospital or shelter and leave it.
8. Officer may impound: Any police officer or other person designated by the City for such purpose is authorized to capture and impound any animal or fowl found at large, impounding to be in accordance with the procedure authorized by this section. In the event capture cannot be effected promptly, the officer or person is authorized to destroy the animal or fowl.
9. Disposition of unredeemed animals: Any animal or fowl not redeemed within three days will be disposed of in such manner as agreed upon between the City and owner of the animal hospital or shelter. The owner of the hospital or shelter is made an agent of the City for this purpose, and his actions in this regard are declared to be for a governmental purpose.
10. Disposition of large animals: Should any officer or designated person upon call or upon his own initiative pick up a large animal such as a horse, cow, or mule or any other animal not acceptable by any animal hospital or shelter, he is authorized to call a trucking firm or company. The firm or company will transfer the animal to an auction approved by the City. The disposition of the animal in this case shall be handled in the same manner as though it were in an animal hospital or shelter.
11. Administrative Officer to make necessary agreements: The Chief of Police of the City is instructed to enter into the necessary agreements with animal hospitals, shelters and the Stockgrowers’ Livestock Auction, Inc., to carry out the terms of this section.

(Ord. 452, §§ 1—11, 9-21-1978; Ord. 675, §§ 1, 2, 1-19-1995; Ord. 834, 5-3-2016)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-1-1. Running at large; dogs and cats; definitions.

The following words, as used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section unless the context otherwise indicates:

At large: Off the premises of the owner and not under the control of the owner or his agent either by leash, cord, chain or otherwise.

Cat: Both male and female.

Dog: Both male and female.

Owner: Any person owning, keeping or harboring a dog or cat.

(Ord. 327, § 1, 1-18-1962)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-1-2. Running at large; dogs and cats; prohibited.

Every owner of a dog or cat shall keep the same securely confined on his premises; provided, that this shall not prevent the owner from having the dog or cat on the streets and public places of the City when the dog or cat is controlled by chain, cord or leash. A female in season shall be confined in such a way that other dogs or cats cannot contact her.

(Ord. 327, § 2, 1-18-1962)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-1-3. Running at large; dogs and cats; impoundment; redemption fee.

It shall be the duty of every police officer to apprehend and impound any dogs or cats found running at large contrary to the provisions of Section 4-1-2 of this article. No such animal taken up and confined shall be released until the owner or person entitled to the possession thereof shall pay to the City Treasurer the sum of $50.00 as a fee for taking up and receiving such animal. In addition to said fee, the owner shall reimburse the City for the daily impoundment fee charged by the veterinarian for keeping said animal.

(Ord. 327, § 3, 1-18-1962; Ord. 363, § 1, 7-2-1970; Ord. 414, § 1; Ord. 500, § 1, 12-4-1980; Ord. 675, § 3, 1-19-1995)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-1-4. Destruction of impounded dogs and cats.

All impounded dogs or cats that are not redeemed within three days after the date of impoundment shall be destroyed or otherwise appropriately disposed of by the City.

(Ord. 497, §§ 1-3, 9-4-1980; Ord. 675, § 4, 1-19-1995)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-2. Cruelty to animals.

It shall be unlawful for any person to inhumanely, unnecessarily or cruelly overwork, override, beat, injure or otherwise abuse any animal or to allow any animal to run at large in the City. All animals shall be protected from abuse, neglect and abandonment and shall, at all times, be provided with a safe and healthy environment with proper food, water and shelter from extreme weather. All animals shall have access to shelter that is dry and clear of any waste or hazardous material.

(Ord. 25, § 2, 3-8-1915; Ord. 750, § 1, 5-15-2003). Wyoming law on the same subject: W.S. § 11-546.  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-3. Animal waste.

The owner or any person having or purporting to have control over any animal is responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by said animal on public walks, public ways, parks, recreation areas, or private property, other than that of the owner. It shall be unlawful for said owner or person having or purporting to have control of said animal to fail to properly remove the deposited excreta.

(Ord. 717, § 1, 6-18-1998)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-4. Multiple pet licenses.

Any person who owns or keeps more than ten dogs or cats, in any combination, shall pay, in addition to the regular licensing fees, a flat fee in the amount of $50.00 each year by, on or before January 31. The litters of legally bred and properly licensed pets will not count towards the ten pet limit until the offspring have reached the age of four months old.

(Ord. 750, § 2, 5-15-2003)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-6. Hindering, obstructing Impounding Officer.

It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder, obstruct or delay the Chief of Police, or his assistants, in taking any animals into custody.

(Ord. 23, § 5, 3-8-1915)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-7. Releasing impounded animals.

It shall be unlawful for any person to break open in any manner or directly or indirectly to aid or assist in breaking open any pen or enclosure with intent of releasing any animal confined therein, pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(Ord. 23, § 6, 3-8-1915)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-7-1. Dog and cat kennels prohibited; kennel defined.

Every person maintaining a kennel within the City is hereby declared to be guilty of maintaining a nuisance, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as herein provided.

For the purposes of this section, “kennel” shall mean any premises or property of any kind or description where more than one female dog or female cat is kept for breeding purposes or where more than one litter of pups or kittens is kept for purpose of sale.

Any person violating any provision of this section, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in Section 1-7 of this Code.

(Ord. 362, §§ 1—3, 6-18-1970; Ord. 390, § 3, 1-3-1974)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-7-2. Public nuisance.

A. Each of the following offenses with respect to animals and fowl kept within the City limits are hereby declared to be a public nuisance:

1. Dogs or cats which molest people or passing vehicles (including bicycles); or bark, whine or howl in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion.
2. Fowl, such as ducks, geese, turkeys, etc., which:

   a. Are not kept enclosed in a good substantial pen.

   b. Are kept within 100 feet of the structure of any school, church, hospital, residence or dwelling, except the residence or dwelling of the owner of such fowl and dwellings or residences located in areas zoned as ER estate residential.

3. Rabbits which:

   a. Are not kept enclosed in a good and substantial pen.

   b. Are kept within 25 feet of the structure of any school, church, hospital, residence, or dwelling, except the residence or dwelling of the owner.

4. Horses, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs and other livestock which:

   a. Are not kept enclosed in a good substantial pen.

   b. Are kept within 100 feet of the structure of any school, church, hospital, residence or dwelling, except the residence or dwelling of the owner of said livestock and dwellings or residences located in areas zoned as ER estate residential.

   c. Have less than 10,000 square feet of yard space per animal.

5. Animal or fowl:

   a. Producing waste which the owner thereof allows to accumulate, attract flies, and/or emit offensive odors that can be detected off of the premises of the owner.

   b. Producing waste accumulation that presents a potential danger to the public health as determined by City board of health.

   c. The failure of the owner of every dog to be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by his/her animal on public walks, recreation areas, or private property other than that of the owner.

6. Chickens which are not in compliance specifically with Section 4-30 or in general with Chapter 4 of the Worland City Code.

(Ord. 556, § 1, 9-20-1984; Ord. 591, § 1, 12-19-1985; Ord. 623, § 1, 5-18-1989; Ord. 663, §§ 1, 2, 10-21-1993; Ord. 834, 5-3-2016; Ord. No. 865, § 1, 10-4-2022)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-7-3. Owner’s responsibility.

An “owner” is defined as any person, partnership, or corporation, (or their agents), owning, keeping or harboring one or more animals and/or one or more fowl. Such animal or fowl shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for three or more consecutive days.

No owner shall fail to prevent said animal or fowl from becoming a public nuisance as provided in Section 4-7-2 of this article.

Any animal or fowl which is the subject of three violations of Section 4-7-2 of this article shall be, on the third violation, declared a habitual public nuisance, and upon determination thereof by the court, the owner shall be required to have the animal or fowl destroyed or relocated. The owner shall have ten days from the date of notification to relocate the same outside the City limits. At the end of this period, if the culprit is not relocated, it shall be humanely disposed of under the direction and supervision of the Chief of Police.

(Ord. 556, § 2, 9-20-1984; Ord. 591, § 2, 12-19-1985; Ord. 601, § 2, 7-17-1986)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-7-4. Chemical immobilization.

The Chief of Police or his designees shall have the authority to utilize chemicals to immobilize animals that are at large within the City, or one deemed a danger to themselves or the community.

The Chief of Police shall with the assistance and direction of a consulting veterinarian train one or more officers in the use of chemical immobilization and said officers shall administer the chemical under the direction of the consulting veterinarian.

(Ord. 556, § 3, 9-20-1984)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-7-5. Penalties.

Any violator of any provision of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Section 1-7 of this Code.

(Ord. 556, § 4, 9-20-1984). Note: “this article” is Article I. Articles II, III and IV contain no penalty section of their own.  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Secs. 4-13, 4-14, 4-16, 4-19—4-23. Reserved.

These section numbers appear in the City’s table of contents under the heading “ARTICLE III — DOGS” but contain no text. Secs. 4-13, 4-14 and 4-16 were repealed by Ord. 675 (19 January 1995); Secs. 4-19 through 4-23 were repealed by Ord. 750, § 7 (15 May 2003). Secs. 4-27 through 4-29, between the licensing article and the chickens article, are likewise reserved.

Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-15. Keeping cross or vicious dogs.

No person shall own, keep or harbor, or allow to be upon any premises occupied by him or under his charge and control, any notoriously vicious or cross dog, or any dog that may manifest a disposition to bite any person, without having such dog properly secured and muzzled. If, under the provisions hereof, and upon conviction of any person violating this section, it shall appear to the municipal court judge that the dog is still living, the judge may, in addition to the punishment provided in Section 1-7 of this Code, order any police officer to forthwith cause such dog to be killed; and, for that purpose, any office charged with such duty shall have the right to enter upon any premises within the City.

(Ord. 237, § 2, 10-5-1950; Ord. 675, § 9, 1-19-1995). The word “office” in the final clause appears that way in the official code.  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-17. Annual vaccination of dogs.

It shall be unlawful for any person to own or keep a dog in the City without first having such dog inoculated or vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian. The owner or keeper of such dog must have proof of such inoculation or vaccination in the form of a certificate issued by such veterinarian. All dogs must be current on their inoculation or vaccination for rabies as determined by a veterinarian.

(Ord. 242, § 2, 4-5-1951; Ord. 596, § 1, 6-9-1986; Ord. 675, § 11, 1-19-1995; Ord. 750, § 6, 5-15-2003). Wyoming law on the same subject: W.S. § 15-102.  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-18. License; required. (Repealed)

Repealed by Ord. 809, 20 August 2013, effective 1 September 2013. The section number and its catchline still appear in the City’s table of contents under “ARTICLE III — DOGS.” The licensing rule now in force is Sec. 4-26, in Article IV.

Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-24. Impounding dogs not properly licensed or vaccinated.

All dogs in the City not having the proper license tags and vaccination or inoculation tags, as provided in this article, shall be captured by such person as may be designated by the City, and impounded. Such dogs so impounded shall be kept for a period of at least three days, exclusive of the day of capture, and if not claimed by the owner or keeper thereof and the proper licenses purchased therefor, as provided in this article, then the dogs so impounded shall be exterminated or destroyed and their bodies buried beyond the City limits.

(Ord. 242, § 8, 4-5-1951)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode

Sec. 4-25. Confinement of dogs that have bitten persons.

Any dog that has bitten any person shall be confined under the observation of a licensed veterinarian for a period of ten days, after the attack, at the expense of the owner, to determine whether the animal has any disease which may be communicated to humans. Home quarantine may be allowed, as determined by and at the discretion of the Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer.

(Ord. 242, § 10, 4-5-1951; Ord. No. 879, § 1, 5-6-2025, eff. 5-17-2025). This is the most recently amended dog provision in the Code.  ·  Official text: Sec. 4-25 on Municode

Sec. 4-26. License requirements.

1. Each cat and dog five months of age or older shall be licensed each calendar year. Licenses for cats and dogs shall commence on January 1 and shall end on December 31 of each year. If a newly acquired cat or dog is licensed during the calendar year, the license fee shall be prorated from the date of receipt of the pet forward. It shall be an offense for any person to harbor a cat or dog within the City which does not have a current license after January 31 of each year. Legitimate pet stores and humane societies are not required to license cats and dogs associated with business purposes. Charges for first offense violators will be dismissed after showing proof that the cat or dog has been licensed.
2. The City Treasurer shall furnish a metal plate or tag with each license, bearing the number of the license and the year for which it was issued, which plate or tag shall be attached to and worn by the cat or dog at all times.
3. Before a cat or dog license is issued, proof of current vaccination or inoculation of the cat or dog shall be presented and a metal plate or tag shall be furnished of a different color or design than the license to be worn by the cat or dog at all times.
4. Any person desiring to keep a cat or dog within the City shall pay a license fee of $12.50 for each neutered male or spayed female and a $35.00 fee for each unneutered male or unspayed female. Proof that a cat or dog has been neutered or spayed shall be provided at the time of licensing.

(Ord. 809, 8-20-2013, eff. 9-1-2013)  ·  Official text: Chapter 4 on Municode