Chapter 8.20 DOGS

Pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30801) of Division 14 of the Food and Agricultural Code, the Director shall issue serially numbered permanent dog license tags marked with the name of the County of Los Angeles. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91; Ord. 01-12, 7/10/01)

8.20.011 License—Issuance by Veterinarians and Other Qualified Persons in Unincorporated Areas of the County—Conditions.

The Director may authorize the issuance of dog licenses, as required by Section 8.20.010, by persons practicing veterinary medicine in the City of Santa Clarita, or by 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 shall collect and transmit to the Director the fee required by this chapter for the issuance of such licenses. The Director may reimburse these businesses for such fees. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91; Ord. 01-12, 7/10/01)

8.20.020 Person Deemed Custodian When.

Any person keeping or harboring any dog 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. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.030 License—Required—Fees and Other Charges.

Every person owning or having custody or control of any dog or cat over the age of four (4) months in the City of Santa Clarita shall obtain an annual license from the Director for each dog and cat and shall pay the fees for the licenses including delinquency charges and field enforcement fees as set forth in Sections 8.20.120 and 8.90.010. The owner or custodian of an animal found unlicensed by a department employee or any authorized agent in the field will be charged a field enforcement fee. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91; Ord. 11-13 § 9, 6/28/11)

8.20.035 Senior Citizen—Defined—Reduced Rates.

A fee of one-half of the amount for dog licenses stated in Section 8.90.010 shall be charged to persons presenting proof and qualifying for senior citizen status. For purposes of this Title 8, persons over sixty (60) years of age qualify for senior citizen status. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.038 Residential Dogs and Cats—Limitations.

A. Dogs. Up to four (4) dogs may be kept at any residence without an animal facility license, provided the dogs’ owner or custodian licenses each individual dog and complies with the mandatory spay and neuter program for dogs, Section 8.20.350 et seq. For purposes of this section, a service dog licensed under Section 8.20.090 is not counted toward the number of dogs kept or maintained while such dog is serving a person who is disabled within the meaning of Government Code Section 12926(i) or (k).

B. Cats. Up to ten (10) cats may be kept at any residence without an animal facility license, provided the cats’ owner or custodian licenses each individual cat, has each cat spayed or neutered and keeps all cats primarily indoors. (Ord. 11-13 § 10, 6/28/11)

8.20.040 Animal Facility for Dogs and Cats—When Individual Dog or Cat Licenses Are Required.

An individual license shall be obtained for each dog or cat when such dog or cat is kept as a pet at an animal facility and is not kept exclusively in a kennel run or cage. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91; Ord. 01-12, 7/10/01; Ord. 11-13 § 11, 6/28/11)

8.20.045 Hobby Breeding—License Required—Fees.

A person who is a hobby breeder as defined in Section 8.08.155 shall obtain a hobby breeding license in the amount set forth in Section 8.90.010. Each license shall authorize the birth of no more than one (1) litter per female dog or cat in any twelve (12) month period and no more than one (1) litter per domestic household in any twelve (12) month period. Breeding in excess of that authorized under this section requires a breeding facility license (see Sections 8.08.070 and 8.40.200 et seq.) and may result in further penalties. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91; Ord. 04-13 § 7, 10/12/04; Ord. 11-13 § 12, 6/28/11)

8.20.050 Exceptions from Licensing Requirement.

A. The provisions of this Division 1 do not require either a tag or a license for:

1. Any dog found within the City when the owner thereof resides in any other municipality within the county, or an unincorporated territory of the county and such dog is wearing or has attached to it a license tag for the current year issued by such municipality or the county;

2. Any dog owned by or in the charge of any person who is a nonresident of the City and is traveling through the City or temporarily sojourning therein for a period of not exceeding thirty (30) days;

3. Any dog brought into the City and kept therein for not to exceed thirty (30) days for the exclusive purpose of entering the same in any bench show, or dog exhibition, or field trials or competition;

4. Any dog brought or sent into the City from any point outside thereof for the exclusive purpose of receiving veterinary care in any dog hospital, in the event that such dog is kept at all times strictly confined within such hospital;

5. Any dog wearing or having attached to it a license tag for the current year issued by a municipality within the county when the owner thereof has, within one year last past, moved his principal place of residence from such municipality to the City; provided, that such municipality similarly exempts from tag and license requirements dogs wearing current county license tags and owned by persons who have moved from the City to such municipality.

B. Except, that each dog found within the City, regardless of where the owner may reside, must have a Los Angeles County dog license; and the license tag must be securely affixed to the dog’s collar while it is being used as a guard dog within the City of Santa Clarita. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.060 Unvaccinated Dogs—Licensing Permitted When.

The Director may accept the payment of the fee for a license tag and a license for a dog who has not been vaccinated as required by Division 1 on condition that the owner of such dog, within five (5) days thereafter, have such dog 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. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.070 Unvaccinated Dogs—Time Limit for Vaccination When Dog is Disabled.

A person who obtains a license without submitting a certificate of vaccination because of the infirmity or disability of the dog shall, within ten (10) days after the termination of such infirmity or disability, cause such dog to be vaccinated as required by Part 2 of this chapter. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.080 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 one dollar ($1.00) required for the dog license tag. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.090 License and License Tag—Period of Validity—Guide Dogs and Service Dogs Defined—Requirements.

A. Every person owning or having custody or control of a dog of either sex over the age of four 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 one dollar ($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 disable person, including, but not limited to, minimal protection work, rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.100 License—Form.

(Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.110 License Tag—Fee for Spayed or Neutered Animals.

Pursuant to Section 30804.5 of the Food and Agricultural Code, any dog license tag issued pursuant to Section 8.20.030 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 has been spayed or neutered. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.120 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 8.90.010.

B. A delinquency charge as provided in Section 8.90.010 shall be assessed when the license fees provided for in this chapter are not paid within ten (10) days after the expiration date or the date the license is required to be obtained by the provisions of this title. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91; Ord. 11-13 § 13, 6/28/11)

8.20.125 License Fee Not Refundable.

No part of the license fee is refundable in any case. (Ord. 11-13 § 14, 6/28/11)

8.20.130 Record Keeping and Procurement of Tags and Receipts.

The Director shall procure the number of license receipts and dog 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 license tag is issued, the number of such tag, the date of issuance thereof and a description of the dog for which issued. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.140 License—Vaccination Requirements and Conditions.

The Director shall not issue a dog 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 should not be vaccinated with rabies vaccine because such vaccination would jeopardize the health of such dog 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. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.150 License—Information to be Shown on Receipt.

When the Director issues a dog license, he shall show on the receipt the age of the dog, the date of last vaccination and, if the license was issued without proof of vaccination, the reason therefor. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.160 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 five dollars ($5.00). Upon receipt of such application and fee, the Director shall record the name and address of the new owner. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91; Ord. 01-12, 7/10/01)

8.20.170 Replacement of Lost Tags.

In case any license tag for an individual dog 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 five dollars ($5.00). (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.180 Tag to Be Worn by Dog.

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. Alternatively, a cat may wear any form of identification approved under Chapter 8.90. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91; Ord. 01-12, 7/10/01)

8.20.185 Microchipping of dogs required.

All dogs over the age of four (4) months must be implanted with an identifying microchip. The owner or custodian is required to provide the microchip number to the department, and shall notify the department and the national registry applicable to the implanted chip of a change of ownership of the dog, or a change of address or telephone number. (Ord. 06-11, 12/12/06)

8.20.190 Keeping Unlicensed Dogs or Cats Prohibited—Exception.

A person shall not harbor or keep, or cause or permit to be harbored or kept, any unlicensed dog or cat in the City of Santa Clarita. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91; Ord. 01-12, 7/10/01)

8.20.200 Counterfeit or Imitation Tags Prohibited.

A person shall not attach to or keep upon any dog, or cause or permit to be attached to or kept upon any dog, any tag provided for in Section 8.20.010 of this chapter except a tag issued for such dog 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 make or cause or permit to be made or have in possession, any counterfeit or imitation of any tag provided for in this chapter. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.210 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, or remove such tag or other identification therefrom. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91; Ord. 01-12, 7/10/01)

8.20.215 Spaying or Neutering—Number Allowed When.

In the event that all dogs are spayed or neutered, up to four (4) dogs may be kept pursuant to Section 17.62.030 (Keeping of Small Animals). (Ord. 01-6, 2/27/01; Ord. 13-8 § 4 (Exh. F), 6/11/13)

Part 2. Vaccination

8.20.220 Requirements Generally.

A. Every person keeping, harboring, or having any dog over four (4) months of age in the unincorporated territory shall cause such dog 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;

2. Fifteen (15) days after bringing such dog into the unincorporated territory of the County of Los Angeles.

B. No person shall cause a dog 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, determines that such vaccination is required to preserve the health or prevent the disability of such dog. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.230 Revaccination Time—Rabies Vaccine.

Every person keeping, harboring or having a dog in the city of Santa Clarita which has been vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine shall cause such dog to be revaccinated within a period of not more than:

A. Twelve (12) months after the dog’s initial vaccination if the dog was between four (4) months and one year of age at the time of such vaccination;

B. Thirty-six (36) months after each prior vaccination. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.250 Certificate of Vaccination—Information to be Shown.

Every person practicing veterinary medicine in the City of Santa Clarita who vaccinates a dog with rabies vaccine shall immediately issue to the person to whom he delivers the dog 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;

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. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.260 Repealed.

(Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.262 County Assistance to Low-Cost Vaccination Clinics.

The Director may direct department personnel to provide or assist at low-cost vaccination clinics operated by veterinary associations. The Director may charge for the services of 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 Auditor-Controller. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91; amend. Ord. 01-12, 7/10/01)

Part 3. Registration of Dogs by Businesses

8.20.270 Applicability of Part 3 Provisions.

This Part 3 of Chapter 8.20 applies to every business establishment that uses a dog or dogs to work without supervision to deter and protect the business from unauthorized persons entering said business other than sentry dog companies having dogs registered pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 25980. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.280 Registration—Required for Business Establishments.

Every business establishment shall register, with the City of Santa Clarita Department of Animal Care and Control, each and every dog subject to this Part 3. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.290 Inspection of Business Premises Required Annually—Fee.

Prior to the registration of a dog, subject to this Part 3, the department shall inspect the business establishment premises so as to assure the adequate housing and care of the dog. An initial inspection fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be charged to the business, and an annual inspection shall thereafter be required at a rate of twenty-five dollars ($25.00). (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.300 Registration—Information Required.

The registration of dogs subject to this Part 3 shall include the following information:

A. The name and telephone number of both the business establishment and the dog’s responsible owner or handler;

B. The name of the dog;

C. The license identification number of the dog;

D. The time at which the owner or handler shall inspect the dog’s physical condition, its surroundings, and to assure its food and water supply are adequate said inspection shall be twice in any twenty-four (24) hour period, with each inspection no more than fifteen (15) hours from the previous inspection. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

8.20.310 Sign Required on Premises—Contents.

Clear and legible signs shall be posted at each of the entrances to the business establishment having dogs registered pursuant to this Part 3, which shall state that the dog is registered with the Department of Animal Care and Control and the location and telephone number of the nearest animal shelter. (Ord. 91-29, 8/13/91)

Part 4. Spay and Neuter Program

8.20.350 Mandatory Spaying, Neutering of Dogs.

A. No person may own, keep, or harbor a dog over the age of four (4) months in violation of this section. An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog must have the dog spayed or neutered or obtain an unaltered dog license in accordance with Section 8.20.355.

B. The owner or custodian of a dog which is unable to be spayed or neutered without a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death due to age or infirmity must obtain written confirmation of that fact from a licensed veterinarian. The writing must also state the date by which the dog may be safely spayed or neutered. If the dog is unable to be spayed or neutered within thirty (30) days, the owner or custodian must apply for an unaltered dog license. (Ord. 06-11, 12/12/06)

8.20.355 Unaltered Dog License—Requirements.

An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog over the age of four (4) months must obtain an annual unaltered dog license for the dog. The license shall be issued if the department has determined that all of the following conditions are met:

A. The dog is one of the following: a competition dog as defined in Section 8.08.097; a dog used by a law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes; a qualified service or assistance dog as defined in Section 8.20.090; or a dog which is unable to be spayed or neutered as set forth in Section 8.20.350(B);

B. The owner or custodian has submitted the required application and has paid the fee set forth in Section 8.90.010(VI)(A); and

C. The unaltered dog will be maintained in accordance with the provisions of Los Angeles County Code Section 8.40.010, and with applicable state animal care and control laws. (Ord. 06-11, 12/12/06)

8.20.360 Denial or Revocation of Unaltered Dog License—Grounds and Reapplication.

A. Animal Control Services may deny or revoke an unaltered dog license for one or more of the following reasons:

1. The applicant or licensee is not in compliance with all of the requirements of Section 8.20.355;

2. The department has received at least one complaint, verified by the complainant under penalty of perjury, that the applicant or licensee has allowed a dog to run loose or escape, or has otherwise been found to be neglectful of his or her dog or other animals;

3. The applicant or licensee has been previously cited for violating a state law, county code or other municipal provision relating to the care and control of animals;

4. The unaltered dog has been adjudicated by a court or an agency of appropriate jurisdiction to be a potentially dangerous or vicious dog, or to be a nuisance within the meaning of the Los Angeles County Code or under State law;

5. Any unaltered dog license held by the applicant has been revoked;

6. A female unaltered dog has had more than one litter per year, or five (5) or more litters in her lifetime; or

7. The license application is discovered to contain a material misrepresentation of fact.

B. Reapplication for Unaltered Dog License.

1. When an unaltered dog license is denied, the applicant may reapply for a license upon a showing that the requirements of Section 8.20.355 have been met. The department shall refund one-half of the license fee when an application is denied. The applicant shall pay the full fee upon reapplication.

2. When an unaltered dog license is revoked, the owner or custodian of the dog may apply for a new license after a thirty (30) day waiting period upon a showing that the requirements of Section 8.20.355 have been met. No part of an unaltered dog license fee is refundable when a license is revoked and the applicant shall pay the full fee upon reapplication. (Ord. 06-11, 12/12/06)

8.20.365 Appeal of Denial or Revocation of Unaltered Dog License.

A. Request for Hearing.

1. Notice of Intent to Deny or Revoke. The department shall mail to the owner or custodian a written notice of its intent to deny or revoke the license for an unaltered dog which includes the reason(s) for the denial or revocation. The owner or custodian may request a hearing to appeal the denial or revocation. The request must be made in writing within ten (10) days after the notice of intent to deny or revoke is mailed. Failure to submit a timely written hearing request shall be deemed a waiver of the right to appeal the license denial or revocation.

2. Hearing Officer. The hearing shall be conducted by the director’s designee.

3. Notice and Conduct of Hearing. The department shall mail a written notice of the date, time, and place for the hearing not less than ten (10) days before the hearing date. The hearing date shall be no more than thirty (30) days after the department’s receipt of the request for a hearing. Failure of the owner or custodian or his or her agent to appear at the hearing will result in forfeiture of the right to a hearing. The hearing will be informal and the rules of evidence will not be strictly observed. The department shall mail a written decision to the owner or custodian within ten (10) days after the hearing. The decision of the hearing officer shall be the final administrative decision.

B. Change in Location of Dog. If the dog is moved after the department has issued a letter of intent to deny or revoke, but has not yet denied or revoked the license, the owner or custodian must provide the department with information as to the dog’s whereabouts, including the current owner or custodian’s name, address, and telephone number. (Ord. 06-11, 12/12/06)

8.20.370 Transfer, Sale and Breeding of Unaltered Dog.

A. Offer for Sale or Transfer of Unaltered Dog. An owner or custodian who offers any unaltered dog for sale, trade, or adoption must include a valid unaltered dog license number with the offer of sale, trade or adoption, or otherwise state and establish compliance with Section 8.20.350. The license and microchip numbers must appear on a document transferring the dog to the new owner.

B. Transfer of Unaltered Dog. The owner or custodian of an unaltered dog over the age of four (4) months, which is not a competition dog as defined in Section 8.08.097, must demonstrate compliance with Sections 8.20.185 and 8.20.350 prior to the transfer, and must notify the department of the name and address of the transferee within ten (10) days after the transfer.

C. Notification of Litter and Sale or Transfer of Puppies. Within thirty (30) days after a litter is born to a female dog, the owner or custodian of the female dog shall advise the department in writing of the number of live born puppies. When a puppy under the age of four (4) months is sold or otherwise transferred to another person, the owner or custodian shall advise the department of the name and address of the new owner or custodian, and the microchip number of the puppy, if applicable, within ten (10) days after the transfer. (Ord. 06-11, 12/12/06)

8.20.375 Penalties.

The penalties for violations of any provision of this part are as follows:

A. First Violation. A first violation shall be an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). If the owner or custodian fails to correct the underlying cause of the violation within thirty (30) days after being notified of the violation, it shall be deemed a second violation.

B. Second Violation. A violation within a year of a first violation shall be deemed a second violation. A second violation is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed six (6) months or by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each subsequent violation within one year shall be considered an additional misdemeanor.

C. There will be no fine for failure to microchip a dog as defined in Section 8.20.185. (Ord. 06-11, 12/12/06)

8.20.380 Impoundment of Unaltered Dog.

A. When an unaltered dog is impounded, the owner or custodian may reclaim the unaltered dog when one of the following occurs:

1. The dog is spayed or neutered by a department veterinarian at the expense of the owner or custodian. Such expense may include additional fees due to extraordinary care required;

2. The dog is spayed or neutered by another department-approved veterinarian. The owner or custodian may arrange for another department-approved veterinarian to spay or neuter the dog, and shall pay to the department the cost to deliver the dog to the chosen veterinarian. The cost to deliver the dog shall be based on the department’s hourly rate established by the Auditor-Controller, billed in minimum one-hour increments. The veterinarian shall complete and return to the department, within ten (10) days, a statement confirming that the dog has been spayed or neutered and shall release the dog to the owner or custodian only after the spay or neuter procedure is complete;

3. At the discretion of the director, the dog may be released to the owner or custodian if he or she signs a statement under penalty of perjury representing that the dog will be spayed or neutered and that he or she will submit a statement within ten (10) days, signed by the veterinarian, confirming that the dog has been spayed or neutered; or

4. If the owner or custodian demonstrates compliance with Section 8.20.350.

B. Costs of Impoundment.

1. The owner or custodian of the unaltered dog shall be responsible for the costs of impoundment, which shall include daily board costs.

2. The costs of impoundment shall be a lien on the dog, and the unaltered dog shall not be returned to its owner or custodian until the costs are paid. If the owner or custodian of an impounded unaltered dog does not pay the lien against the dog in full within fourteen (14) days, the dog shall be deemed abandoned to the department in accordance with Section 8.36.310. (Ord. 06-11, 12/12/06)

8.20.385 Allocation of Fees and Fines Collected.

All costs and fines collected under this part and the fees collected under Section 8.90.010(VI)(A) shall be paid to the department for the purpose of defraying the cost of the implementation and enforcement of this Part 4. (Ord. 06-11, 12/12/06)

Chapter 8.20DOGS

8.20.010 License Tags—Issuance—Fee.