Ordinance No. 1053

ARTICLE VII—DOGS

(For statutory provisions regarding the authority of the city to impose license fees, see California Good and Agricultural Code Section 30804 and California Government Code Section 38792).

 

 

Every person owning a dog over four (4) months of age which is kept within the city shall obtain a license as follows:

            a.         Within thirty (30) days after the dog reaches the age of four months.

            b.         Within thirty (30) days of becoming a resident of the city if a license is otherwise required under this article.

            c.         A violation of this section is an infraction punishable as provided by law.

 

 

The provisions of “Dog License Required” shall not apply to any of the following:

            a.         Any dog brought into the city for the purpose of participating in any show, exhibition, field trial or competition scheduled not more than thirty days thereafter;

            b.         Any dog brought into the city for the receipt of veterinary care in a veterinary hospital, providing that the dog is confined at all times to the hospital;

            c.         Any dog owned or in possession of a nonresident of the city which is to be maintained in the city for a period not exceeding thirty days;

            d.         Any guide or service dog actually being used to assist a blind, hearing impaired or otherwise physically disabled person.

 

 

 

Pursuant to chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30801) of division 14 of the Food and Agricultural Code, the Animal Services Director or his designee is designated to issue dog licenses under this article.

 

 

A prerequisite to the issuance of a dog license under this article is the presentation of a certificate of vaccination signed by a veterinarian showing one (1) of the following for the dog to be licensed:

            a.         That such dog has been vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine and the period of time from the date of vaccination to the date of expiration of the license being issued does not exceed the interval of time prescribed by the State Department of Health for revaccination.

            b.         That such dog should not be vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine because such vaccination may jeopardize the health of the dog due to infirmity or other disability. Where a certificate of vaccination shows that a dog should not be vaccinated due to infirmity or other disability, the nature of the infirmity or other disability and the estimated date of termination thereof shall be shown on the face of the certificate to the satisfaction of the Animal Services Director or his designee.

            c.         Every veterinarian practicing veterinary medicine within the city shall submit to the Animal Services Director or his designee one (1) copy of each certificate of vaccination issued by the veterinarian for dogs subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section on a quarterly basis.

d.         A violation of this section is an infraction punishable as provided by law.

 

 

a.         An annual dog license fee set by resolution of the city council shall be imposed upon every dog four (4) months and older which is kept in the city by any person who is the owner. If a certificate is presented from a licensed veterinarian that the dog has been spayed or neutered, the annual license fee shall be reduced by 50 percent. The license fee is due and payable on the day upon which the dog is four (4) months old.

b.         If the owner of any dog fails to make application for a dog license within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice from the Animal Control Officer to obtain a license, such owner shall pay a penalty for late licensing, the penalty amount shall be established by city council resolution. The penalty shall be paid in addition to the license fee required in this section.

c.         A violation of this section is an infraction punishable as provided by law.

 

 

a.         License fees shall be waived for assistance dogs owned and used by totally or partially blind persons, deaf or hearing impaired persons, or other disabled persons, and for dogs owned and used by police department or law enforcement officers exclusively for police work if all other requirements for licensing under this article are met. 

b.         License fees may include a reduced rate for dogs owned by persons sixty-two (62) years of age or older if all other requirements for licensing under this article are met. 

c.         The Animal Services Director or his designee shall require such proof of qualification as the Animal Services Director or his designee deems necessary prior to waiving or reducing the license fee for any dog. 

 

 

Upon each applicant for a license, the owner shall furnish to the Animal Services Director or his designee, in writing, his or her name, the address where the dog is kept, the name, breed, age, sex and color of the dog, and proof of current vaccination. In the event that the dog is kept at more than one location, then all addresses of where the dog is kept shall be provided. The Animal Services Director or his designee shall furnish registration forms for such purpose and upon payment of the fee, and penalty, if any, shall issue a receipt, a serially numbered license certificate and a metallic identification tag with an identifying number, the year of issue, the words “City of Healdsburg,” and such information as the Animal Control Officer may require.   

 

 

            a.         Every dog license issued pursuant to this article shall be annual, expiring twelve (12) months following the date of rabies vaccination. The procedure for renewal of a dog license shall be the same as for obtaining an original license. If the owner of any dog fails to make application for the renewal of a dog license prior to its expiration, such owner shall pay a penalty for late renewal, the amount of which shall be established by resolution of the city council.

            b.         A license fee may be imposed and collected for a period not to exceed three years for dogs that have attained the age of twelve (12) months or older and have been vaccinated. The person from whom the license fee is collected pursuant to this subdivision may choose a license period of up to one, two, or three years. However, when imposing and collecting a license fee, the license period shall not extend beyond the remaining period of validity for the current rabies vaccination.

            c.         A violation of this section is an infraction punishable as provided by law.

 

 

The dog owner shall secure the tag to a collar, harness or similar device attached to the dog for which the license tag was issued. The dog owner shall ensure that the dog wears such a license tag at all times in the city, except when the dog is confined in a commercial kennel, hobby kennel, or veterinary facility, or the dog is being exhibited at a show, field trial or other competition. The identification tag shall be shown by the owner at any time upon demand by the Animal Control Officer. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable as provided by law.

 

 

In case the metallic dog license tag for any dog licensed under this article is lost or destroyed, a replacement tag for such dog shall be procured from the Animal Services Director or his designee within thirty (30) days after the loss or destruction. Upon receiving proof of loss, made in writing, and upon payment of a replacement fee, which shall be set by resolution of the city council, the Animal Services Director or his designee shall issue a replacement tag to the owner. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable as provided by law.

 

 

If any dog licensed pursuant to this article is sold or transferred, the new owner shall apply to the Animal Control Officer for a transfer of the dog license for such dog within thirty (30) days after the change in ownership. The procedure for transfer of a dog license shall be the same as for obtaining an original license. If any dog licensed pursuant to this article dies or is permanently removed from the city, the owner of such dog shall notify the Animal Services Director or his designee of the changed conditions in writing within thirty (30) days after such change. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable as provided by law.

 

 

a.         Any veterinarian or other person who observes, has knowledge of, or treats any dog which has been shot or poisoned within the city shall immediately report the incident to the Animal Control Agency.

b.         Any report of the shooting or poisoning of any dog pursuant to this section shall include the name of the owner of the dog, if known, or the name of the person requesting treatment of such dog, if known.

 

The Animal Control Officer may take up and impound any dog which is off the premises of its owner without a current license tag on its collar, harness or other device. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable as provided by law.