Chapter 6.12
LICENSING OF DOGS
Sections:
6.12.020 License term, conditions and exceptions.
6.12.030 Rabies vaccination – Deferment.
6.12.050 Fees, discounts, waivers and surcharges.
6.12.060 Renewal – Late fee – Penalty.
6.12.070 Nontransferability and refunds.
6.12.080 Issuance of duplicate tags and licenses.
6.12.100 Disposition of fees and fines.
6.12.010 Administration.
A. The finance director or county shall be the issuing authority for dog licenses. Upon payment of the license fee provided in this chapter, and upon presentation of a valid vaccination certificate, as provided in this chapter, the issuing authority shall issue a license certificate stating the year for which such license fee is paid, the date of payment, the name and resident address to whom such license is issued, the name, breed and sex of the dog licensed, and the serial number of the license tag issued. Such certificate shall be delivered to the person paying such license fee, and one copy shall be retained by the issuing authority.
B. The issuing authority shall at the same time issue and deliver to the person paying the license fee a tag of such form and design as the issuing authority shall designate, with the words “Solano County Dog License” and a serial number and the licensing period for which the tag was issued plainly inscribed thereon. The license tag shall be securely affixed to a collar, harness, or other device which shall be at all times worn by such dog. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).
6.12.020 License term, conditions and exceptions.
A. Except as provided in this chapter, every owner of any dog over the age of four months in the city shall obtain a license for each such dog so owned, cared for, or controlled by such person.
B. All owners of dogs subject to the licensing requirements of this chapter shall obtain one of the following three types of dog licenses:
1. Altered Dog License. An altered dog license shall be obtained for an altered dog as defined by this title.
2. Permanently Non-Fertile Dog License. A permanently non-fertile dog license shall be obtained for a permanently non-fertile dog as defined by this title.
3. Unaltered Dog License. An unaltered dog license shall be obtained for an unaltered dog as defined by this title.
C. An altered dog license and a permanently non-fertile dog license may be purchased for either a one-year, two-year or three-year period. An unaltered dog license may only be purchased for a one-year period.
D. Such license shall be obtained and the fee therefor paid within 30 days after the day in which the dog is four months old, or within 30 days after acquisition of the dog, or within 30 days of moving into the city and annually thereafter prior to the expiration of the license. The license fee shall be as set forth by council resolution.
E. Written proof of neutering or spaying or that the dog permanently cannot reproduce must be provided at the time of the initial licensing for either an altered dog license or a permanently non-fertile dog license, but need not be produced for renewal of such licenses.
F. The license provisions of this section shall not apply to the following:
1. Dogs that are kept, harbored, or maintained by owners who are nonresidents and are staying within the city for 30 days or less, if kept, harbored, or maintained only during such temporary sojourn of their owners;
2. Dogs brought to the city exclusively for the purpose of participating in any dog show or exhibition, and which are actually entered in and kept at such show or exhibition;
3. Dogs under treatment in the custody or control of animal hospitals;
4. Dogs on sale in duly licensed pet shops; and
5. Dogs owned, kept or controlled by any person having a permit to keep and maintain a dog kennel; provided, that such dogs, when removed from such kennel, shall bear an identification tag attached to a collar, harness or other device, which tag shall be of a size and type designated by the issuing authority, and shall set forth the name and address of such kennel. Said tag shall be furnished at the sole expense of the kennel owner.
6. Dogs being fostered as a part of a nonprofit agency’s program. The foster program shall be registered with the department and an individual foster dog shall be fostered in a particular residence for a period of no more than six months.
G. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, any person moving into the city who is an owner of a dog possessing a valid, current dog license issued by another incorporated city within the county of Solano shall not be required to apply for a city dog license for a period of six months from the date the owner moved into the city or the date of expiration of the license issued by the other city, whichever is earlier.
H. Upon request of an animal control officer, an owner of a dog for which a license is required shall present to such officer a current, valid certificate of vaccination or license tag for such dog. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).
6.12.030 Rabies vaccination – Deferment.
A. No dog shall be licensed without presentation of a certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian certifying that the dog to be licensed has been administered an anti-rabies vaccination within 30 days prior to the issuance of the license, or has received anti-rabies vaccination sufficient to immunize the dog against rabies for the entire licensing period.
B. The vaccination requirement for rabies shall not apply to a dog if a licensed veterinarian has examined the dog and certified at such time rabies vaccine may endanger the dog’s health because of its age, infirmity, debility or other physiological considerations, and said dog is kept in the house or in a fenced yard adequate to confine the animal at all times. A temporary license shall be issued to any dog for whom rabies vaccination deferment is authorized under this part. The temporary license shall be valid only during the period that vaccination would endanger the dog’s health as said period is shown by the veterinarian’s certificate.
C. The vaccination requirement for rabies shall not apply to a dog if a licensed veterinarian has examined the dog and certified that the dog has been titer tested in the past one year. A license for such dog shall only be valid for one year. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).
6.12.040 Application.
Application for dog licenses shall be made in writing on forms to be provided by the issuing authority which shall include the following information and documentation for each dog:
A. Name and address of owner;
B. Address where dog is kept;
C. Name, breed, age, sex and color of dog; and
D. A current rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with BMC 6.12.030. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).
6.12.050 Fees, discounts, waivers and surcharges.
A. All license fees imposed pursuant to this section shall be in the amounts established by resolution of the city council and in the amount established by the county. Such amounts shall be in compliance with Government Code Section 38792 or its successor provisions.
B. The licensing fee shall be prorated on a quarterly basis for new residents, newly acquired dogs, or puppies at four months of age. Proof of new residency, purchase or adoption date of dog or dog’s age must be presented at the time of licensing to be eligible for the prorated fee. For a dog adopted from the city animal shelter, the first one-year license fee shall be waived or the first two- or three-year license fee shall be reduced by 33 percent. Proof of adoption from the city animal shelter must be presented at the time of licensing to be eligible for the prorated fee.
C. The dog license fee shall be waived for any service dog, if such dog is under the control of and is aiding a blind, hearing impaired, or physically disabled person, or if such dog is owned by or in the custody of a bona fide organization having as its primary purpose the furnishing and training of service dogs.
D. The dog license fee shall be waived for one altered dog kept in a household where the owner of the dog is over the age of 65. A senior status license fee waiver shall not apply for an unaltered dog license.
E. The dog license fee shall be waived for dogs owned and used by a public agency, regardless of reproductive status.
F. A surcharge shall be assessed at the time of licensing of any dog that has been deemed a dangerous dog under Chapter 6.28 BMC. The amount of the surcharge shall be established by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).
6.12.060 Renewal – Late fee – Penalty.
A. Each dog license issued pursuant to this chapter may be renewed. Application for renewal shall be made to the issuing authority not later than 15 days after the expiration date on the license.
B. If application for a license renewal is made more than 15 days after a dog license is required, the applicant shall pay, in addition to the regular license fees, such late fees as may be established from time to time by resolution of the city council or the county. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).
6.12.070 Nontransferability and refunds.
License tags shall not be transferable from one dog to another and no refunds shall be made on any license fee because of death of the dog or the owner leaving the city or the removal of the dog from the city before expiration of the license term. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).
6.12.080 Issuance of duplicate tags and licenses.
Whenever a dog license tag or license issued for the current year by the issuing authority has been lost, or taken or stolen by parties unknown to the owner of the dog for which the same was issued, such owner may, on the payment of a fee and on making and subscribing to an affidavit of the loss of such tag or license, receive from the issuing authority a duplicate dog license tag for the remaining portion of the term for which the original license was issued. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).
6.12.090 Unlawful use of tag.
It is unlawful for any person to attach a dog license tag to the collar of any dog except the dog which is described in the application for such license tag. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).
6.12.100 Disposition of fees and fines.
In accordance with Section 30652 of the Food and Agricultural Code or its successor provisions, all fees for the issuance of dog license tags and all fines collected pursuant to Division 14 of the Food and Agricultural Code shall be paid to the county except for any fees or fines imposed by the city and shall be used for the purposes set forth at that section as the same may be amended from time to time. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).