Chapter 9.08
DOG LICENSES*

Sections:

9.08.010    Requirements.

9.08.020    Exemptions.

9.08.030    Tags.

9.08.040    Duplicate tags.

9.08.050    Wearing of tag by dog required.

9.08.060    Records.

*    For statutory provisions pertaining to the regulation and licensing of dogs, see Agric. Code § 30501 et seq. For the provisions authorizing a city to impose an annual dog license fee, see Gov. Code § 38792.

    Prior ordinance history: Ords. 638, 675, 690 and 702.

9.08.010 Requirements.

An annual license fee shall be paid for every dog over the age of four (4) months owned and harbored in the city. The annual license fee shall be first due when the animal reaches four (4) months of age or within sixty (60) days after the dog is acquired, and due on the anniversary date of the original purchase date each year thereafter. New residents shall have sixty (60) days in which to acquire such license. Persons renewing their license shall have thirty (30) days following their due date before being delinquent and having to pay a late penalty. The fee for such license shall be as set forth in Section 9.20.010. The fee paid for the licensing of spayed or neutered dogs shall be one half of the license fee for unaltered dogs upon presentation of the proper certification. The fee paid by persons of the age of sixty (60) shall be one-half of the license fee. Any person who shall fail to pay such license fee after the fee is due, or the dog is required to be licensed, shall, in addition to paying any past due license fee or fees, also pay a penalty in accordance with Section 9.20.010. A license shall be obtained, but no license fee shall be payable for the licensing of any dog which is being trained for guide or hearing purposes by a resident of the county or used for guide or hearing purposes by a handicapped resident of the county and which has come from a guide or hearing dog training facility, or for dogs which have served as a member of the armed forces of the United States of America, or any dog currently being used by a local law enforcement agency for the purposes of crime prevention or control. Dog licenses are not transferable between owners; however, if the dog dies and the owner acquires a new dog, the license is transferable to the new dog. The license does not have to be renewed until the original purchase anniversary date. The fee paid for a dog license is not refundable. Licenses herein provided for shall be signed by the director of community services. Such licenses shall be numbered consecutively. (Ord. 758 § 1 (part), 1987).

9.08.020 Exemptions.

The licensing provisions in this title are not applicable to the following:

(1)    Dogs used for diagnostic purposes or research, the use having been approved the California State Department of Health Services pursuant to Section 1666 of the Health and Safety Code;

(2)    Dogs used for teaching purposes in recognized educational institutions;

(3)    Dogs owned by veterinarians which are licensed by the state and kept on the premises used by said veterinarians in their practice;

(4)    Dogs kept by owners of pet shops for purpose of sale, for circuses, for animal exhibits, or for other enterprises for which a business license has been granted by a local government. (Ord. 758 § 1 (part), 1987).

9.08.030 Tags.

The director of community services shall procure plates or tags which bear the number of the license. He shall also keep a record of the name of the owner or possessor together with a description of the dog for which the license is issued and the number of the license, and he shall deliver such tag to such person upon payment for such license as provided by this title. (Ord. 758 § 1 (part), 1987).

9.08.040 Duplicate tags.

Whenever a tag has been lost or stolen, the owner or possessor of the dog concerned may request a duplicate tag upon payment of the required fee and on making and subscribing to an affidavit of such loss and filing the same with the director of community services. (Ord. 758 § 1 (part), 1987).

9.08.050 Wearing of tag by dog required.

The owner of a dog for which a license is required shall affix such tag to a suitable collar, which collar shall remain on the dog at all times. (Ord.758 § 1 (part), 1987).

9.08.060 Records.

The owner or operator of any kennel, animal breeding facility, pet shop, or any place or establishment where animals are sold shall keep a permanent record of the name, address, and phone number of the purchaser of any dog along with the breed, color, sex, and age of each dog sold or given away and shall forward such information to the animal control program within thirty days thereafter. An animal control officer shall have the right to inspect such records during normal business hours. (Ord. 758 § 1 (part), 1987).

9.08.070 Veterinarian responsibilities.

Every veterinarian who vaccinates or causes or directs to be vaccinated in the county any dog with anti-rabies vaccine shall use a form approved by the licensing authority to certify that such animal has been vaccinated. Every veterinarian shall submit to the licensing authority a copy of the county-approved anti-rabies vaccination form, within ten days of the beginning of each month, for any dog which he/she vaccinates or directs to be vaccinated with anti-rabies during the previous month. An animal control officer or animal licensing officer shall have the right to inspect records of rabies vaccinations during normal business hours. (Ord. 758 § 1 (part), 1987).