Columbia False certification of neutering; penalty ordinance (§ 5-66)
Chapter 5: Animals and Fowl · Article III. Dogs, Cats and Other Animals
In short: Falsely telling an animal control officer or a license issuer that your pet has been neutered or irreversibly rendered unable to reproduce, when it can still reproduce, is a misdemeanor.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
Any person owning, keeping or harboring any animal subject to the provisions of this article who shall falsely state or certify to any animal control officer or person issuing a license under the provisions of section 5-65, that such animal has been irreversibly chemically or surgically rendered incapable of reproduction, when in fact such animal is capable of reproduction, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 5-66
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.