Chapter 6.20
DOGS
Sections:
6.20.030 License – Rabies vaccination certificate required.
6.20.040 Exemptions – Guide dogs, signal dogs and service dogs.
6.20.050 Exemption – Licensed under another jurisdiction.
6.20.060 Exemption – Medical treatment.
6.20.070 Exemption – Government ownership.
6.20.080 Exemption – Temporary residence.
6.20.010 License – Required.
A. Any person owning or having custody of any dog four months or older shall pay an annual license fee. The license fee for dogs shall be established by the board of supervisors and set forth in Chapter 6.50 HMC. The increased fees collected by the SASA for unaltered dogs, less administrative costs, shall be used to pay for vouchers to support spay/neuter programs.
B. Any owner of any unaltered dog who meets any of the following criteria shall pay a reduced unaltered annual license fee as set forth in the fee schedule in Chapter 6.50 HMC:
1. An owner who owns or operates an actual livestock working ranch or livestock farming operation of more than two acres; or
2. An owner who registers and participates in an American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), or other state or nationally recognized organization and is a member of a parent club or organization for the purposes of showing, training, agility trials, or hunting and provides documentation to SASA of such membership and participation in the above animal activities.
C. If the owner fails to obtain and/or renew the dog license required in this title, upon the expiration of the 30 days after the day upon which the dog is four months old, or within 30 days after the day upon which the dog, if over the age of four months, is first acquired or brought into the city by a resident, SASA shall impose a late penalty on the owner of the dog. This late fee shall not be waived by SASA upon the transfer or abandonment of the dog by the noncompliant owner. This late penalty shall be imposed in addition to any other applicable civil or criminal penalties and all penalties shall be placed in the Stanislaus County alternative to euthanasia (SCATE) program to be used for spaying or neutering of cats and dogs.
D. If the penalty mentioned in subsection C of this section is not paid, and the owner fails to obtain the license required under subsection A of this section within 15 days from the date when SASA first notified the dog owner of the imposition of the penalty mentioned in subsection C of this section, the continuing violation of the license requirement of this section becomes an additional infraction and may be prosecuted as such. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.20.020 License – Tags.
The licensing authority shall issue, upon proper application and payment of license fees, a serially numbered license tag stamped with the name of the county and the year of issuance. The owner shall provide a dog with a suitable collar or other device to which the license tag shall be attached. The animal services executive director shall keep an endorsed copy of the application or other records sufficient to establish the identity of the owner. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.20.030 License – Rabies vaccination certificate required.
Each application for a dog license shall be on a form furnished by the licensing authority. An application for a license shall not be accepted unless a valid certificate of rabies vaccination by a licensed veterinarian covering the license period accompanies the application. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.20.040 Exemptions – Guide dogs, signal dogs and service dogs.
Guide dogs, signal dogs, and service dogs as defined in HMC 6.08.140, 6.08.150 and 6.08.160, with current rabies vaccinations, shall be licensed without charges upon submission of signed assistance dog applications and affidavits. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.20.050 Exemption – Licensed under another jurisdiction.
A dog brought into the county which has been licensed in another county or city within the state shall not be subject to licensing provisions of this chapter for so long as the license would be current and valid at its place of issuance or for one year, whichever is the lesser period. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.20.060 Exemption – Medical treatment.
Dogs brought into the county for the exclusive purpose of receiving medical care and in the custody of a licensed veterinarian need not be licensed. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.20.070 Exemption – Government ownership.
Dogs owned by the county, a city or other public agency shall be licensed without charge. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013; Ord. 89-04 § 2, 1989)
6.20.080 Exemption – Temporary residence.
This chapter shall not apply to any dog in the custody or care of a nonresident of the city, or temporarily therein, for a period not exceeding 30 days. (Ord. 13-04(A) § 1, 2013)