Holtville Municipal Code Art. I Dog Licensing

It is unlawful for any person to own or have in his possession any dog in the incorporated limits of the city without first having obtained a license for the dog from the city clerk.

(Ord. 267 § 2(a), 1961)

The city clerk shall charge a fee for issuing of a license. The fee is fixed as follows: For each male dog, or neuter dog, or spayed female dog, the sum of $2.00 per year; for each female dog not spayed, the sum of $4.00 per year.

(Ord. 267 § 2(b), 1961)

The license shall be issued for a term of one year from the first day of January to the thirty-first day of the succeeding December; provided, however, that the owner or possessor of any dog brought within the city limits, or born subsequent to the first day of January, shall pay only a proportionate part of the fee for the year.

(Ord. 267 § 2(c), 1961)

Before issuing any license, the city clerk shall require from the owner or possessor of the dog a valid certificate of vaccination. If found correct, a license shall be issued.

(Ord. 267 § 2(d), 1961)

The city clerk, upon issuing a license, shall also issue an official license tag. On the same day the tag is issued, it shall be securely fastened by the owner of the dog to a collar, which collar shall, on the day and at all times thereafter, be worn by the licensed dog. Such tag, once fastened to and worn by the dog as above provided, shall be prima facie evidence of the vaccination and licensing of the dog as required in this article and Chapter 7.08 HMC.

(Ord. 267 § 2(e), 1961)

The city clerk shall keep a permanent record of all licenses, receipts, and license tags as issued. The official license tag shall be a metal tag with the following words engraved upon it: Year of issue, "Dog Tax, Holtville, California," and shall also have engraved upon it the number of the license as issued.

(Ord. 267 § 2(f), 1961)

It is unlawful for the owner of any dog to suffer, permit, or allow the dog to run at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square, or place, or any vacant or unenclosed lots, or land within the incorporated limits of the city. All dogs shall be deemed running at large within the meaning of this article and Chapter 7.08 HMC unless led or restrained by a chain, strap, or cord attached to their collar, and actually held by a person or made fast to some stationary object.

(Ord. 267 § 3, 1961)

Every stray dog, and every dog committing a nuisance, and every dog which is found not to have a license tag attached to its collar, according to the provisions of this article, shall be presumed not to be vaccinated and licensed, and shall be taken up and impounded, or confined, in a safe and comfortable place, properly provided with food and water. Every such dog shall be confined for a period of 72 hours from the date taken up unless sooner redeemed.

(Ord. 267 § 4, 1961)

Any person having established ownership of any such dog impounded may have the dog released to him by the poundmaster upon paying the fees as charged by the poundmaster; and provided further, that the owner either presents a valid vaccination certificate license or has the dog vaccinated and licensed in accordance with the provisions of this article and Chapter 7.08 HMC.

(Ord. 267 § 4, 1961)

The charges of the poundmaster are placed at the sum of $5.00 per day for each day such dog is impounded.

(Ord. 267 § 4, 1961; Ord. 349 § 1, 1976)

Every dog which is not redeemed within 72 hours shall be destroyed by the poundmaster or his assistant, or otherwise disposed of so as to prevent the dog from running at large.

(Ord. 267 § 4, 1961)

Nothing contained in this article shall be construed as permitting the redemption of any dog having, or suspected of having, or found to be afflicted with rabies.

(Ord. 267 § 4, 1961)

Every animal picked up and impounded by the animal control officer of the county or by any officer working with him shall be impounded at the county pound and shall be subject to its regulations and requirements.

(Ord. 267 § 4, 1961)

Each and every violation of HMC § 7.04.010 through § 7.04.130 is an infraction and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided by Government Code Section 36900.

(Ord. 438 § 1, 1997)