Animal Control

2023 Pet Licenses Available for Purchase!

The Newton Police Department has 2023 dog, cat and miniature pig licenses available for sale. For those renewing their pet licenses this year, the deadline is Friday, March 31, 2023, to avoid a $20 late fee. 

Licenses are available at the Newton Police Department during regular business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The license fee for neutered/spayed animals is $15. The license fee for unaltered animals is $25.The Newton Police Department accepts cash, checks and debit and credit cards. There is a 2.35% ($1 minimum) fee to use a card.

Pet Licenses can also be purchased online! 

Click here to fill out an online form and pay via credit card.

A 3.95% processing fee is applied by our vendor.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

All DOGS and CATS over 6 months old must be licensed annually by March 31* of each year. To purchase a license, bring the following to the Newton Police Department:

  • $15 for neutered/spayed pets OR $25 for unaltered pets
  • Receipt from veterinarian showing the pet is current on its rabies vaccination

All MINIATURE PIGS must be licensed annually by March 31* of each year. City residents may own no more than two miniature pigs at a property on a permanent basis. To purchase a license, bring the following to the Newton Police Department:

  • $15 for license fee
  • Receipt from veterinarian showing the pig has been examined and verified by a veterinarian to meet miniature pig breed standards, shows that the pig is neutered/spayed and that the pig is up to date with necessary vaccinations

 *A $20 late fee will be assessed to pets licensed after March 31 of each year.

See City Code Title IX, Chapter 90, Sections 90.13 and 90.14 for additional information.


RESTRAINT REQUIREMENTS

Dogs and Miniature Pigs OFF Premises of Owner:

  • Must be on a leash, cord or chain not more than 6 feet long and under control of a person able to control the animal
  • Confined within a motor vehicle

Dogs and Miniature Pigs ON Premises of Owner:

  • Must be accompanied by and obedient to the commands of the owner or person given such charge
  • Confined to the owner’s premises by an adequate protective fence OR by a leash, cord or chain that does not allow the animal to go beyond the owner’s real property line

Cats are allowed to be unrestrained at any time within the city unless the cat is causing damage or interfering with the property of another.

See City Code Title IX, Chapter 90, Sections 90.13 and 90.14 for additional information.


OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  • Pets are not allowed to defecate on public property, public right-of-way or the property of another
  • Pets are not allowed to bark or make any loud or unusual noises during times which the owner knows or should expect the noise would disturb neighbors

Residents found in violation of city requirements are subject to a fine, and pets that are unlicensed or at large are subject to impound.

City residents are not allowed to keep, shelter or harbor as a pet any dangerous animal, i.e. venomous snakes, wolves, foxes, bobcats, badgers, raccoons, snapping turtles, bats, rats (except white rats). See City Code Title IX, Chapter 90 for more information.

Reporting Animal Issues

To report an animal issue, such as a dog at large or a barking dog, call (641) 792-1547 so an officer can be dispatched right away for the complaint.