Chapter 6.16 — DOGS

Every dog over four months of age shall have a medically current vaccination with a canine anti-rabies approved by the State Health Department. Such vaccination shall be administered by or under the supervision of a veterinarian or as provided through County-recognized vaccination clinics.

A.

Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary herein, no dog need be vaccinated for rabies where:

A licensed veterinarian has examined the dog and certified at such time that a vaccination would endanger the dog's health because of physiological reasons;

Within five days of such examination; and

The Health Officer reviews the opinion of the veterinarian contained in such certificate, and endorses on such certificate his or her approval thereof. Such certificate must bear the date of issuance and must be renewed each year.

B.

Primary inoculation with canine anti-rabies vaccine shall be honored until the canine reaches 12 months of age. Canine anti- rabies administered after 12 months of age will be honored for a period of either one year or three years from date of injection, based upon whether a vaccine with a one-year or three-year term was administered.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.010; Ord. No. 4674)

Any person who performs any rabies vaccination on any dog, whether as a clinic authorized by the supervising Animal Control Officer or as a licensed veterinarian, shall report such vaccination, the name and address of the owner of such animal, and the date of such vaccination to the Animal Control Division within 30 days.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.015; Ord. No. 3446, § 5(part), 1984)

A.

In the performance of his or her duties, an Animal Control Officer shall have the authority, when in pursuit of an animal which is in violation of this chapter, but has returned to the private property of his or her owner or the person who has a right to control the dog, to issue a citation for violation of Section 6.12.030. In the event the owner or person who has a right to control the animal is unavailable, the dog may be impounded, and the Animal Control Officer shall post a notice of such impounding on the front door of the living unit of the owner or person who has a right to control the dog. Such notice shall state the following:

That the dog has been impounded;

Where the dog is being held;

The name, address and telephone number of the Animal Control Center; and

The ultimate disposition if no action is taken to claim the animal within a specified period of time.

B.

This section shall not otherwise affect existing authority to seize or impound a dog or issue citations as a result of a dog being on property other than that owned by its owner or the person who has a right to control the dog.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.020; Ord. No. 3446, § 5(part), 1984)

All dogs within the County, other than those within a category established by Section 6.16.050, must be currently licensed within said County. Dogs not properly licensed are subject to impound.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.025; Ord. No. 3467, § 1, 1984; Ord. No. 3692, § 12, 1987)

Upon demand by an Animal Control Officer, any person owning or controlling any dog, or in possession of the premises on which a dog is located, shall exhibit the dog and its license. Refusal to so exhibit the dog shall be a violation of this chapter.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.030; Ord. No. 3446, § 5(part), 1984)

A dog license fee shall be required in an amount as established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. A schedule of said fees shall be posted for public inspection at the County Animal Control Center.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.040; Ord. No. 3446, § 5(part), 1984)

The following are exempt from the requirement for license:

A.

Dogs less than four months of age;

B.

Dogs licensed and vaccinated in other jurisdictions whose owner has established residence in the County pursuant to the definition herein, for valid periods of license, so long as the dogs are registered with the County and issued a license tag;

C.

Dogs on sale in a duly licensed pet shop or dog kennel and cattery where they are kept enclosed at all times;

D.

Dogs honorably discharged or released from the services of the armed forces of the United States, dogs principally used for the purpose of leading persons with defective eyesight and dogs used in law enforcement agencies. Licenses and tags shall be issued for such dogs upon request without charge.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.040; Ord. No. 3692, § 13, 1987; Ord. No. 3446, § 5(part), 1984)

Upon payment of a one-year or three-year dog license fee, a license shall be issued, subject to the following:

A.

The date of expiration of the license shall be set to coincide with the date of expiration of the most recent anti-rabies vaccination.

B.

If the most recent anti-rabies vaccination will expire in three months or less, a new vaccination is required in order to obtain a new license.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.060; Ord. No. 4674)

A.

Prior to the issuance or renewal of any license, it is necessary that the dog have been vaccinated with anti-rabies vaccine as provided in Section 6.16.010.

B.

Lost tags. Whenever a license tag has been lost or destroyed, a duplicate shall be issued by the licensing authority upon payment of the established fee as set forth by Board resolution on animal control fees.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.070; Ord. No. 3692, § 16, 1987; Ord. No. 3446, § 5(part), 1984)

A.

Upon payment of the license tax and the presentation of a certificate of vaccination, the Animal Control Officer shall issue a license stating the name and residence of the person to whom the license is issued, the amount paid, the date of issuance and expiration thereof, the date of expiration of the vaccination, and the description of the dog for which the license is issued, together with the number of the metallic tag accompanying the license.

B.

Area veterinarians are empowered to sell County dog licenses to approved applicants and a remittance fee for each license shall be established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.080; Ord. No. 3446, § 5(part), 1984; Ord. No. 3692, § 17, 1987)

With each dog license, the Animal Control Officer shall issue a metal tag bearing an identifying number and the words and letters "El Dorado County Dog License." Each dog shall wear the metal tag issued for it at all times.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.090; Ord. No. 3446, § 5(part), 1984)

The Director of Animal Control shall keep a record of all licenses issued by him or her together with a description of the dog for which the license is issued.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.100; Ord. No. 3446, § 5(part), 1984)

Whenever the State Department of Public Health determines that a rabies epidemic exists in the County, a special additional dog license tax as provided in Health and Safety Code §§ 1912, 1913 and 1914 shall be imposed and provided in this title.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.110; Ord. No. 3446, § 5(part), 1984)

It is made the duty of any person having knowledge that any dog has bitten any human being within the limits of the County to immediately report that fact to the Animal Control Officer or to the Sheriff with full information in regard to the incident.

(Code 1997, § 6.16.120; Ord. No. 3446, § 5(part), 1984)