Blythe Municipal Code § 6.06 Dogs—cats

Whenever in this chapter the following terms are used, they shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section unless it is apparent from the context thereof that some other meaning is intended.

A. At large. "At large" means any dog which is off the premises of its owner, custodian or caretaker and which is not under physical restraint by a leash of a size and material appropriate to the size and temperament of the dog and which is held by a person capable of restraining such dog, or is not otherwise physically restrained by some other device or instrumentality except that such device or instrumentality shall not include voice control, eye control or signal control of the dog by any person, device or instrumentality.

B. Cattery. "Cattery" means any building, structure, enclosure or premises whereupon, or within which four or more cats, four months of age or older, are kept or maintained.

C. Chief Animal Control Officer. The chief animal control officer shall be under the supervision of the chief of police or his duly authorized representative.

D. Kennel. "Kennel" means any building, structure, enclosure or premises whereupon, or within which, four or more dogs, four months of age or older, are kept or maintained.

E. Community. "Community" means any public entity which is authorized by law to regulate and control animals, fowl, and reptiles.

F. Dangerous Reptile. "Dangerous reptile" means any living reptile that is venomous and/or can cause great bodily harm to any human being, or domestic type animal.

G. Guide Dog. "Guide dog" means any dog trained or being reared, trained or used for the purposes of guiding a blind person.

H. Health Officer. "Health officer" means the health officer of the county of Riverside or his duly authorized representative.

I. Impounded. "Impounded" means having been received into the custody of any animal control center, animal control officer, animal control vehicle or peace officer duly authorized by the city to receive such animal.

J. Officer. "Officer" means the authorized person or agency designated by the city council, such as the chief animal control officer or animal control or health officer for the county of Riverside, or any duly authorized representative of the city designated by the city council.

K. Owner. "Owner" means any person who is the owner or an person keeping or harboring or having custody or control over any animal for thirty consecutive days. Ownership is also established by a person registering as the owner on a license or other legal document, or by a person claiming ownership and taking possession of an animal. A veterinarian duly licensed and practicing as such and having in his possession or control an animal for the purpose of treatment or care is not an "owner" for the purposes of this chapter.

L. Person. "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, corporation, association, club or organization.

M. Police Service Dog. "Police service dog" means any dog being reared, trained, or used for the particular requirements of a law enforcement agency or search and rescue organizations.

N. Public Entity. "Public entity" means any state, or any political subdivision, municipal corporation or agency thereof.

O. Sentry Dog. "Sentry dog" means any dog trained to work without supervision in a fenced facility and to deter or detain unauthorized persons found within the facility.

P. Service Dog. "Service dog" means any dog being reared, trained or used for the purpose of fulfilling the particular requirements of a physically disabled person, including, but not limited to minimal protection work, rescue work, pulling a wheelchair or fetching dropped items.

Q. Signal Dog. "Signal dog" means any dog being reared, trained or used for the purpose of alerting a deaf person or a person whose hearing is impaired, to intruders or sounds.

R. Unlicensed Dog. "Unlicensed dog" means any dog for which no valid license is currently in force.

S. Vaccination. "Vaccination" means an inoculation against rabies of any dog or cat, four months of age or older, with any vaccine prescribed for the purpose by the California Department of Health Services.

T. Veterinarian. "Veterinarian" means a person holding a currently valid license to practice veterinary medicine issued by the state pursuant to Chapter 11 of the California Business and Professions Code.

U. Wild Animal. "Wild animal" means a member of the animal kingdom, including those born or raised in captivity except the following: human beings, domestic dogs (excluding hybrids with wolves, coyotes or jackals), domestic cats (excluding hybrids with ocelots or margays), farm animals, rodents, and hybrid animals that are part wild, and captive-bred species of common cage birds.

(Ord. 675 (part), 1991)

A. Except as provided in subsection G of this section, it is unlawful for any person to own, harbor or keep any dog, four months of age or older, within the incorporated area of the city, for a period longer than thirty days, unless a currently valid license tag has been issued by the AC for such purpose and such tag is prominently displayed on such dog.

B. It is unlawful for any person to own, harbor or keep any dog, four months of age or older, within the area for a period longer than thirty days, which has not been vaccinated against rabies. Every person who owns, harbors or keeps any dog over four months of age for a period longer than thirty days shall have such dog vaccinated against rabies as provided herein, by a veterinarian of his choice and such vaccination shall be renewed in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of the state.

C. Each veterinarian, after vaccinating any dog shall sign a certificate of vaccination in duplicate in the form required by AC. The veterinarian shall keep one copy and shall give one copy to the owner of the vaccinated dog and the owner shall retain such copy in his possession.

D. The AC shall issue only upon presentation of a certificate of vaccination indicating therein that the date of expiration of the vaccination immunity is not earlier than the date of expiration of the license being issued or renewed, and upon payment of license fee specified in subsection F of this section; provided, however, that where the vaccinated dog is between the ages of four months and twelve months, the period of vaccination immunity required for licensing shall be as specified in Title 17, California Administrative Code, Section 2606.4.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections B and D of this section, in the event a dog has a short-term illness, is pregnant, or suffers from a long-term debilitating illness which in the opinion of a veterinarian contraindicates vaccination for rabies, such dog shall not be required to undergo vaccination during the period of such illness or pregnancy where a request for vaccination deferral has been approved by the AC. Such request shall specify the duration of the requested deferral, the reason for the requested deferral, and shall be signed by a veterinarian. The animal control officer/humane officer shall issue a license for such dog upon approval of the request for vaccination deferral and payment of the applicable license fee specified in subsection F of this section. The owner or person having custody of such dog shall present to the AC a certificate of vaccination in accordance with the provisions of subsection C of this section.

F. Subject to the provisions of this section, licenses shall be issued upon payment of fees as set by resolution of the city council from time to time and as the council may deem.

G. That the provision for the payment of license fees set forth in subsection F of this section shall not apply to guide dogs, service dogs, signal dogs and dogs owned by a public entity.

H. Upon the transfer of ownership of any dog validly licensed under subsection A of this section, the new owner shall notify the animal control of such transfer on a form prescribed by the AC accompanied by the transfer fee as set by resolution of the city council.

I. Dog licenses issued by other cities or counties of the state will accepted as meeting the requirements of this section for a period of one year. Licenses issued by jurisdictions outside of California are not acceptable for any period.

(Ord. 675 (part), 1991)

Any owner of a cat may be issued a license and tag for such cat upon presentation to the AC a certificate of vaccination signed by a veterinarian certifying that such a cat has been vaccinated, and upon the payment of a license fee set by resolution of the city council. Said license shall be valid for the period of immunity indicated in the certificate of vaccination.

(Ord. 675 (part), 1991)

A. All dogs over the age of four months must be implanted with an identifying microchip. The owner or custodian is required to provide the microchip number to the police department, and shall notify the police department of any change of ownership of the dog, or any change of address or telephone number. Nothing in this section supersedes, eliminates, or alters the requirements of Sections 6.06.020 BMC, and any other licensing requirements of this chapter.

B. Enforcement. An animal control officer or any peace officer may electronically scan any dog found within the city of Blythe to verify the presence of an identifying microchip as required in this section. An administrative citation, infraction, or other such authorized penalty may be issued to an owner or custodian of a dog for a violation of this section only when the owner or custodian is concurrently cited for another violation under state or local law pertaining to the obligations of a person owning or possessing a dog. In no case will enforcement of this section be conducted by door to door canvassing.

C. Exemptions. The mandatory microchipping requirements shall not apply to any of the following:

1. A dog with a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily injury, if implanted with the microchip identification, due to health conditions of the animal. The owner or custodian must obtain written confirmation of that fact from a California licensed veterinarian. If the dog is able to be safely implanted with an identifying microchip at a later date, that date must be stated in the written confirmation.

2. A dog which would be impaired of its athletic or performance if implanted with the microchip identification. The owner or custodian must obtain written confirmation of that fact from a California licensed veterinarian. If the dog is able to be safely implanted with an identifying microchip at a later date; that date must be stated in the written confirmation.

D. Transfer, Sale of Dogs.

1. An owner or custodian who offers any dog, over the age of four months, for sale, trade, or adoption must provide the microchip identification number and the valid dog license number with the offer of sale, trade or adoption. The license and microchip numbers must appear on a document transferring the dog to the new owner. The owner or custodian shall also advise the police department of the name and address of the new owner or custodian in accordance with subdivision (a) of this section. An owner or custodian who offers any dog, over the age of four months, for sale, trade, or adoption and fails to provide the police department with the name and address of the new owner is in violation of this chapter and shall be subject to the penalties set forth herein.

2. When a puppy under the age of four months implanted with microchip identification is sold or otherwise transferred to another person, the owner or custodian shall advise the police department of the name and address of the new owner or custodian, and microchip number of the puppy within ten days after the transfer. If it is discovered that an owner or custodian has failed to provide the police department with name and address of the new owner or custodian and microchip number of the puppy, the owner or custodian shall be subject to the penalties set forth in this chapter.

E. When a dog is impounded and is found not to have microchip identification, the owner of the animal must meet applicable requirements for the animals release and shall do one of the following:

1. Have the dog implanted with an approved microchip by a veterinarian, registered veterinarian technician, or designated personnel where the dog is impounded, at the expense of the owner or custodian.

2. Have the dog implanted with an approved microchip by a California licensed veterinarian.

3. At the discretion of the animal control officer, 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 implanted with a microchip and that he or she will submit a statement within thirty days of the release, signed by a California licensed veterinarian, confirming that the dog has been so implanted and provide the microchip number to the police department or allow the police department to scan the dog for the microchip to verify.

(Ord. No. 870, § 1, 5-12-15)

A. Requirement. No person may own, keep, or harbor an unaltered or unspayed dog in violation of this section. An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog must have the dog spayed or neutered, or provide a certificate of sterility in accordance with this chapter. Nothing in this section supersedes, eliminates, or alters the requirements of Sections 6.06.020 BMC, and any other licensing requirements of this chapter.

B. Enforcement. A violation of subsection A shall not be enforced unless the department has received at least three complaints, verified by the department, that the owner, custodian, or licensee has allowed a dog to be stray or run at large. An administrative citation, infraction, or other such authorized penalty may be issued to an owner or custodian of an unaltered dog for a violation of this section only when the owner or custodian is concurrently cited for another violation under state or local law pertaining to the obligations of a person owning or possessing a dog.

C. Exemptions. This section shall not apply to any of the following:

1. A dog with a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death if spayed or neutered, due to age or infirmity. The owner or custodian must obtain written confirmation of this fact from a California licensed veterinarian. If the dog is able to be safely spayed or neutered at a later date, that date must be stated in the written confirmation; should this date be later than thirty days, the owner or custodian must apply for an unaltered dog license.

2. Animals owned by recognized dog breeders, as defined by animal control policy.

D. Impoundment of Unaltered Dog. When an unaltered dog is impounded pursuant to state and/or local law, in addition to satisfying applicable requirements for the release of the animal, including, but not limited to, payment of impound fees pursuant to this chapter, the owner or custodian shall also do one of the following:

1. Provide written proof of the dog's prior sterilization, if conditions cannot or do not make this assessment obvious to department personnel;

2. Have the dog spayed or neutered by a California licensed veterinarian. The veterinarian shall complete and return to the department within ten days, a statement confirming that the dog has been spayed or neutered or is, in fact, incapable of breeding 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 animal control officer, 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 days of the release, signed by the veterinarian, confirming that the dog has been spayed or neutered or is incapable of breeding.

(Ord. No. 869, § 1, 5-12-15)