CHAPTER 3
POUND REGULATIONS*
Sections:
§ 3300 Adoption of Animal Control Ordinance.
§ 3301 Addition to Animal Control Ordinance.
§ 3305 Wild Animals – Definition.
§ 3308 Licensing – Dogs and Cats.
*Editor’s Note: Prior ordinances codified herein include Ordinance Nos. 2, 29, 72-222, 87-799, 91-933U and 91-933.
3300 Adoption of Animal Control Ordinance.
Title 10, Animals, of the Los Angeles County Code, as amended and in effect on January 5, 1993, is hereby adopted by reference as the Animal Control Ordinance of the City of Carson.
A copy of the Animal Control Ordinance has been deposited in the office of the City Clerk and shall at all times be maintained by the Clerk for use and examination by the public. (Ord. 91-943, § 1; Ord. 95-1052, § 1)
3301 Addition to Animal Control Ordinance.
Notwithstanding the provisions of CMC 3300, the Animal Control Ordinance is amended by adding Section 10.40.110 to read as follows:
10.40.110 Dogs – Prohibited in Public Parks.
A. It shall be unlawful for the owner or person having custody of any dog to allow said animal to enter upon any public park, except as otherwise provided in this Section.
B. The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit the use of dogs on park property for teaching uses when approved by the Director of Community Services or his or her designee. Such dogs shall be leashed at all times while in public parks, except as otherwise provided in this Section.
C. The provisions of this Section do not prohibit the use of Service Dogs in any public park, to the extent such use is protected by applicable state and federal law. For purposes of this section, “Service Dog” means a dog that constitutes a service animal, as defined in Section 35.104 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and as amended, or a dog trained as a guide dog, signal dog, or service dog, as such terms are defined in Section 54.1 of the California Civil Code, and as amended.
D. Dogs that constitute service animals, as defined in Section 35.104 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and as amended, shall not be excluded from public parks except to the extent consistent with 28 C.F.R. 35.136(b)–(c), and as amended.
E . At all times while in public parks, dogs that constitute service animals, as defined in Section 35.104 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and as amended, shall be:
(1) under the control of their handler, and
(2) Harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash, or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash, or other tether would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, in which case the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means).
F. The provisions of this Section also do not prohibit an individual referred to in California Civil Code Section 54.2 from taking a dog into a public park for the purpose of training it as a guide dog, signal dog, or service dog, as such terms are defined in Section 54.1 of the California Civil Code, and as amended, but as provided in Civil Code Section 54.2, any such individual shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by the dog, and shall ensure the dog is on a leash and tagged as a guide dog, signal dog, or service dog by an identification tag issued by the county clerk, animal control department, or other agency, as authorized by Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 30850) of Title 14 of the California Food and Agricultural Code.
G. The provisions of subsections (A)-(F) of this Section do not prohibit, or require leashing of, dogs in City-designated dog park or dog run areas that are identified by posted City signs. However, the provisions of subsections (A)-(F) of this Section apply fully with respect to dogs that are in other areas of public parks, even if for the purpose or in the course of accessing, entering or leaving such designated areas.
H. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to preclude the use of a miniature horse in a public park by an individual with a disability if the miniature horse has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of the individual with a disability, provided the City has made a determination, as a matter of policy, practice or procedure, that the miniature horse can be allowed in the subject public park facility, based on the assessment factors set forth in Section §35.136(i) of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and as amended.
(Ord. 91-943, § 1; Ord. 18-1812, § 2; Ord. 24-2403, § 2)
3303 Violations – Penalty.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), any person violating any of the provisions of this Chapter is guilty of an infraction which is punishable as provided in CMC 1200(b).
(b) Violation of Sections:
|
10.12.190 |
10.12.200 |
|
10.12.210(B) |
10.20.280 |
|
10.20.310 |
10.28.060 |
|
10.28.100 |
10.32.020 |
|
10.32.040 |
10.32.070 |
|
10.32.080 |
10.37.030 |
|
10.37.040(c) |
10.37.050(C) |
|
10.37.050(F) |
10.40.010 |
|
10.40.040 |
10.40.050 |
|
10.40.065(b) |
10.48.060 |
|
10.72.040 |
10.76.050 |
|
10.80.020 |
10.84.030 |
|
10.86.010 |
10.86.020 |
of the Animal Control Ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not exceeding six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 91-943, § 1)
3304 Repealed.
Repealed by Ord. 91-943.
3305 Wild Animals – Definition.
Notwithstanding the provisions of CMC 3300, the Animal Control Ordinance of the City of Carson is amended by amending Section 10.08.250 thereof to read:
10.08.250 Wild Animal. “Wild animal” means any wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic animal, including but not limited to mammals, fowl, fish or reptiles, except alligators which have been kept as pets within single family residential property occupied by the owners thereof located in the area now within the city limits of the City of Carson continuously since a date prior to the incorporation of the City of Carson on February 20, 1968.
(Ord. 91-943, § 1)
3306 License Requirements.
Notwithstanding the provisions of CMC 3300, the Animal Control Ordinance of the City of Carson is amended by adding to the list of animals set forth in Section 10.28.060 which do not require a license from the Director of the Department of Animal Care and Control as tax collector, as item 20 thereof, the following.
20. Alligators which have been kept as pets within single family residential property occupied by the owners thereof located in the area now within the City limits of the City of Carson continuously since a date prior to the incorporation of the City of Carson on February 20, 1968.
(Ord. 91-943, § 1)
3307 Proper Confinement.
Every person owning and keeping an alligator referred to in Section 10.28.060, item 20, as herein amended, shall keep such animal under proper confinement within the private residential property of the owner and shall not cause, permit or allow such animal to be or to run at large, and shall maintain such animal in all respects in the manner prescribed for the keeping of animals by Section 10.32.080. (Ord. 91-943, § 1)
3308 Licensing – Dogs and Cats.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3300, Chapter 10.20 of Division 1, Title 10, of the Los Angeles County Code, is amended by amending Parts 1 and 2 to read as follows:
Chapter 10.20
DOGS AND CATS
Part 1
LICENSING
10.20.010 License tags – Issuance – Fee. Pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30801) of Division 14 and Section 31751 of Division 14.5 of the Food and Agricultural Code, the director shall issue serially numbered metallic dog and cat license tags stamped with the name of the City of Carson and shall collect for each such tag the sum of $1.00.
10.20.011 License – Issuance by veterinarians and other qualified persons in unincorporated areas of the county – Conditions. The director may authorize the issuance of dog licenses and cat licenses, as required by Section 10.20.010, by persons practicing veterinary medicine in the City of Carson, or other persons approved by the director who meet the qualifications established by the department. Said persons shall transmit records and negotiable papers to the department of animal care and control at intervals as established by the director, and collect and transmit to the director the fee required by this chapter for the issuance of such licenses.
10.20.020 Person deemed custodian when. Any person keeping or harboring any dog or cat for fifteen (15) consecutive days shall be deemed to be the custodian thereof and subject to licensing provisions within the meaning of this Division 1.
10.20.030 License – Required – Costs. Every person owning or having custody or control of any dog or cat over the age of four (4) months in the City of Carson shall obtain a license from the director for each of such dogs and cats and shall pay the fees for such licenses as set forth in Section 10.90.010.
10.20.035 Senior citizen – Defined – Reduced rates. A fee of one-half of the amount for dog licenses and cat licenses stated in Section 10.90.010 shall be charged to persons presenting proof and qualifying for senior citizen status. For purposes of this Title 10, persons over sixty (60) years of age qualify for senior citizen status.
10.20.040 Kennel dogs and cats – Individual license required when. An individual dog license or cat license shall be obtained for each dog or cat in addition to a kennel license when such dog or cat is not kept exclusively on the premises. No individual license shall be required for any dog or cat in transit, or when attending a dog show or cat show in the care of a kennel representative.
10.20.045 Dog or cat breeding – License required – Fees. Any person, except for a person possessing a valid kennel license who for pay or other compensation causes the breeding of a female dog or cat, shall obtain an animal breeding permit in the amount set forth in Section 10.90.010. Each permit shall authorize the whelping of no more than one (1) litter per female cat or dog in any twelve (12) month period and no more than one (1) litter per domestic household in any twelve (12) month period.
10.20.050 Exceptions from licensing requirement. The provision of this Division 1 do not require either a tag or a license for:
1. Any dog or cat found within the City of Carson when the owner thereof resides in the unincorporated portion of the County of Los Angeles or in any municipality within the county, and such dog or cat is wearing or has attached to it a license tag for the current year issued by such municipality or county;
2. Any dog or cat owned by or in the charge of any person who is a nonresident of the City of Carson or of the County of Los Angeles and is traveling through the City of Carson or the County of Los Angeles or temporarily sojourning therein for a period of not exceeding thirty (30) days;
3. Any dog or cat brought into the City of Carson and kept therein for not to exceed thirty (30) days for the exclusive purpose of entering the same in any bench show, or dog or cat exhibition, or field trials or competition;
4. Any dog or cat brought or sent in to the City of Carson from any point outside thereof for the exclusive purpose or receiving care in any dog or cat hospital, in the event that such dog or cat is kept at all times strictly confined within such hospital;
5. Any dog or cat wearing or having attached to it a license tag for the current year issued by a municipality within the County of Los Angeles when the owner thereof has, within one (1) year last past, moved his principal place of residence from such municipality to the City of Carson; provided, that such municipality similarly exempts from tag and license requirements dogs and cats wearing current license tags and owned by persons who have moved from the City of Carson to such municipality.
10.20.060 Unvaccinated dogs and cats – Licensing permitted when. The director may accept the payment of the fee for a license tag and a license for a dog or cat which has not been vaccinated as required by Division 1 on condition that the owner of such dog or cat, within five (5) days thereafter, have such dog or cat vaccinated and submit the required veterinarian’s certificate to the director. Upon receipt of such certificate, the director shall issue the license tag and license.
10.20.070 Unvaccinated dogs and cats – Time limit for vaccination when dog or cat is disabled. A person who obtains a license without submitting a certificate of vaccination because of the infirmity or disability of the dog or cat shall, within ten (10) days after the termination of such infirmity or disability, cause such dog or cat to be vaccinated as required by Part 2 of this chapter.
10.20.080 License and license tag – Period of validity – Dogs discharged from military service. Each license and each dog license tag provided for in this chapter for a dog which has been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States shall be of indefinite duration, so long as the same individual owns or harbors the same dog. No fee shall be charged for such license over and above the $1.00 required for the dog license tag.
10.20.090 License and license tag – Period of validity – Guide dogs, signal dogs and service dogs defined – Requirements.
A. Every person owning or having custody or control of a dog or either sex over the age of four (4) months which comes within the definition of guide dog, signal dog, or service dog who submits proof to the director that such dog has been successfully trained as a guide dog, or as a signal dog, or as a service dog shall procure a dog license tag and a license, which dog license tag and license shall be good while such dog is owned or harbored by the same person. No fee shall be charged for such license over and above the $1.00 required for the dog license tag.
B. As used in this section, “guide dog” means any guide dog or seeing-eye dog which was trained by a person licensed under Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 7200) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code.
C. As used in this section, “signal dog” means any dog trained to alert a deaf person, or a person whose hearing is impaired, to intruders or sounds.
D. As used in this section, “service dog” means any dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks to meet the requirements of a physically disabled person, including, but not limited to, minimal protection work, rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.
10.20.110 License tag – Fee for spayed or neutered animals. Pursuant to Sections 30804.5 and 31751.5 of the Food and Agricultural Code, any dog or cat license tag issued pursuant to Section 10.20.030 of this Part 1 shall be issued for one-half or less of the fee required if a certificate is presented from a licensed veterinarian that the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered.
10.20.120 Fees payable annually – Delinquency charge.
A. The license fees provided for in this chapter shall be paid annually to the director in the amount set forth in Section 10.90.010
B. A delinquency charge as provided in Section 10.90.010 shall be assessed when the license fees provided for in this chapter are not paid on or before the expiration date of the date the license is required to be obtained by the provisions of this title.
10.20.130 Recordkeeping and procurement of tags and receipts. The director shall procure the number of license receipts and dog and cat license tags needed each year, and shall keep a register wherein shall be entered the name and address of each person to whom any dog or cat license is issued, the number of such tag, the date of issuance thereof and a description of the dog or cat for which issued.
10.20.140 License – Vaccination requirements and conditions. The director shall not issue a dog or cat license unless the applicant exhibits a certificate signed by a veterinarian, licensed either by the state of California or by any other state to practice veterinary medicine, that:
A. The period elapsing from the date of vaccination with approved rabies vaccine to the date of expiration of the license being issued does not exceed the time as established by the state; or
B. Such dog or cat should not be vaccinated with rabies vaccine because such vaccination would jeopardize the health of such dog or cat due to infirmity or other disability, which infirmity or other disability, and the estimated date of termination thereof, is shown on the face of the certificate to the satisfaction of the director.
10.20.150 License – Information to be shown on receipt. When the director issues a dog or cat license, he shall show on the receipt the age of the dog or cat, the date of last vaccination and, if the license was issued without proof of vaccination, the reason therefor.
10.20.160 License and license tag – Transfer permitted when – Fee. If, during a license period, a dog or cat is sold or title to the dog or cat is otherwise transferred to a new owner, such new owner may apply to the director for a transfer of such dog’s or cat’s tag and license and pay a transfer fee of $5.00. Upon receipt of such application and fee, the director shall issue a certificate of transfer of such tag, and the names and addresses of the former and new owners.
10.20.170 Replacement of lost tags. In case any license tag for an individual dog or cat is lost or destroyed, a duplicate thereof may be procured from the director upon the submission to the director of such proof as he may require and upon the payment therefor of the sum of $5.00.
10.20.180 Tag to be worn by dog or cat. A license tag for an individual dog or cat shall be securely affixed to a collar, harness or other device which shall at all times be worn by such dog or cat, except while such dog or cat remains indoors or in any enclosed yard or pen.
10.20.190 Keeping unlicensed dogs prohibited – Exception. A person, other than an approved research institution, shall not have, harbor or keep, or cause or permit to be harbored or kept, any unlicensed dog or cat in the City of Carson.
10.20.200 Counterfeit or imitation tags prohibited. A person shall not attach to or keep upon any dog or cat, or cause or permit to be attached to or kept upon any dog or cat, any tag provided for in Section 10.20.010 of this chapter except a tag issued for such dog or cat under the provisions of this chapter, or attach or keep upon or cause or permit to be attached to or kept upon any dog or cat, or make or cause or permit to be made or have in possession, any counterfeit or imitation of any tag provided for in this chapter.
10.20.210 Removing tag from collar prohibited – Exception. An unauthorized person shall not remove from any dog or cat any collar or harness or other device to which is attached a license tag for the current year, or remove such tag therefrom.
Part 2
VACCINATION
10.20.220 Requirements generally.
A. Every person keeping, harboring, or having any dog or cat over four (4) months of age in the City of Carson shall cause such dog or cat to be vaccinated with rabies vaccine, by a person licensed by the state of California, or other state, to practice veterinary medicine, on or before the latest of the following dates:
1. Fifteen (15) days after first acquiring such dog or cat;
2. Fifteen (15) days after bringing such dog into the City of Carson.
B. No person shall cause a dog or cat under the age of four (4) months to be vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine unless a veterinarian licensed by the state of California, or other state, determined that such vaccination is required to preserve the health or prevent the disability of such dog or cat.
10.20.230. Revaccination time – Rabies vaccine. Every person keeping, harboring, or having a dog or cat in the City of Carson which has been vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine shall cause such dog or cat to be revaccinated within a period of not more than:
A. Twelve (12) months after the dog’s or cat’s initial vaccination if the dog or cat was between four (4) months and one (1) year in age at the time of such vaccination;
B. Thirty-six (36) months after each prior vaccination.
10.20.250 Certificate of vaccination – Information to be shown. Every person practicing veterinary medicine in the City of Carson who vaccinates a dog or cat with rabies vaccine shall immediately issue to the person to whom he delivers the dog or cat the original, and monthly to the director a duplicate, of a certificate signed by the veterinarian which states:
A. The name and address of the owner or harborer of the vaccinated dogs or cats;
B. The kind of vaccine used, the name of the manufacturer and the manufacturer’s serial or lot number, and the date of the vaccinations;
C. The breed, age, color and sex of the vaccinated dogs or cats.
10.20.260 Research institutions exempt from Part 2 requirements. This Part 2 of Chapter 10.20 does not apply to any approved research institution.
10.20.262 County assistance to low-cost vaccination clinics. The director may direct department personnel to assist at low-cost vaccination clinics operated by veterinary associations. The director shall charge for the services of department personnel at low-cost vaccination clinics operated by veterinary associations. This charge shall not include the time actually spent in the issuance of licenses. Rates shall be those established by the county auditor-controller.
(Ord. 92-984, 1)
3309 Spaying or Neutering.
Notwithstanding the provisions of CMC 3300, the Animal Control Ordinance is amended by changing the title of Chapter 10.24 of Division 1, Title 10 of the Los Angeles County Code to read “Spaying and Neutering,” and by repealing Section 10.24.020 of said Chapter 10.24. (Ord. 92-984, § 1)
3310 Fee Schedule.
Notwithstanding the provisions of CMC 3300, Chapter 10.90 of Division 3, Title 10 of the Los Angeles County Code is amended by amending Section 10.90.010, Part VI, to read:
VI. Individual Animal Licenses.
Every person owning a dog or cat over the age of four (4) months shall obtain an annual license and tag for such dog or cat; except, there shall be a one-time-only fee for registration of discharged military dogs, for guide dogs or Seeing-eye dogs, for signal dogs trained to assist the hearing impaired, for service dogs trained to perform tasks to assist the physically handicapped, and for spayed or neutered dogs belonging to senior citizens upon payment of the following fees:
|
License processing fee |
$2.53 |
A. Dog license and tag fees:
|
1. |
Unaltered (Unspayed/unneutered) |
$60.00 |
|
2. |
Altered (Spayed/neutered) |
20.00 |
|
3. |
Senior citizen — Spayed/neutered dog |
7.50 |
|
4. |
Delinquency charge for annual license renewal, equivalent to the cost of the license, will be added to the license fee if the renewal application is submitted more than 10 calendar days past the expiration date of a license, or if a license application was not otherwise timely submitted. |
|
|
5. |
Replacement of tag or official license receipt |
5.00 |
|
6. |
Transfer of ownership |
5.00 |
|
7. |
Discharged military dogs (one-time registration fee) |
5.00 |
|
8. |
Guide dogs or Seeing Eye dogs, signal dogs, and service dogs (one-time registration fee) |
5.00 |
|
9. |
Field enforcement fee: The owner or custodian of a dog found unlicensed by a department employee in the field will be charged a field enforcement fee. |
40.00 |
B. Cat license and tag fees:
|
1. |
Unspayed/unneutered |
$10.00 |
|
2. |
Spayed/neutered |
5.00 |
|
3. |
Replacement cat tag |
5.00 |
|
4. |
Transfer of ownership |
5.00 |
|
5. |
Delinquency charge for annual license renewal, equivalent to the cost of the license, will be added to the license fee if the renewal is submitted more than 10 calendar days past the expiration date of a license, or if a license application was not otherwise timely submitted. |
|
|
6. |
Field enforcement fee: The owner or custodian of a cat found unlicensed by a department employee in the field will be charged a field enforcement fee. |
40.00 |
(Ord. 92-984, § 1; Ord. 10-1457, § 1)
3311 Dog Control.
a) No owner or other person having charge, custody or control of any dog(s) shall permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care, any such dog(s) to defecate and to allow any such feces to remain on any public parkway, park or other public property, or on any property owned or occupied by a person other than the owner of the dog(s) or the person having charge, custody or control of the dog(s).
b) Any person having charge, custody or control of any dog(s), in a location other than on the property of such person or on the property of the owner of the animal(s), shall have in possession a suitable disposable bag or container for the purpose of complying with the requirements of this Section.
c) For purposes of this Section, a “suitable disposable bag or container” shall not be considered to be an article of clothing.
d) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to blind persons being accompanied by a trained guide dog.
e) Any person violating any of the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) of this Section shall be deemed guilty of an infraction and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine in accordance with CMC 1200(b). (Ord. 14-1545, § 1; Ord. 20-2016, § 2)