Imperial County Municipal Code Ch. 6.08 Dogs

It is unlawful for any person to own a dog over the age of four months in the unincorporated territory of the county of Imperial, state of California, or to permit such dog to be on his or her premises in said unincorporated territory, or to allow any such dog to be in any public place, unless the dog has been vaccinated with canine rabies vaccine, and has been licensed as hereinafter provided.

(Prior code § 54200)

Every such dog shall be vaccinated by a veterinarian, duly qualified and licensed in the state of California, with canine rabies vaccine at least once each twelve (12) months or more often upon written notice from the county veterinarian. The veterinarian vaccinating such dog shall issue a certificate of vaccination to the person owning the dog so vaccinated.

(Prior code § 54201)

All dogs under four months of age shall be confined to the premises of, or kept under physica1 restraint by, the owner. Nothing in this title shall be construed to prevent the sale or transportation of a dog four months old or younger.

(Prior code § 54202)

The county veterinarian shall conduct a series of low cost vaccination clinics annually, at which time dog owners may avail themselves of this service. The county veterinarian shall issue licenses to dog owners. Incorporated cities conducting their own programs will be notified of the locations and dates of the county clinics at least two weeks prior to the date of the first clinic. Cities conducting their own programs will be encouraged by the county veterinarian and the county health officer to plan their vaccination clinics in cooperation with the county program. No charge in excess of actual cost shall be made for any one vaccination at such clinic. All public clinics shall be required to operate under antiseptic immunization conditions comparable to those used in the vaccination of human beings.

(Prior code § 54203)

Every person owning a dog in the unincorporated area of Imperial County, shall, upon the effective date of this section and annually thereafter, obtain a license for such dog from the county veterinarian or his or her representative, or other proper persons designated by the board of supervisors, by payment of the fee therefor of ten dollars ($10.00) per year for each unneutered dog and five dollars ($5.00) per year for each neutered dog. The license shall be valid for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of issue.

(Prior code § 54204)

Each person owning a dog which must have a license under the provisions of Section 6.08.050 shall secure and present the vaccination certificate to the county veterinarian, who shall, if such certificate is found by him or her to have been issued according to the provisions of this title, approve the certificate, and upon payment of the license fee provided herein, shall thereupon issue an official license tag.

(Prior code § 54205)

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 upon the dog as above provided shall be prima facie evidence of the vaccination and licensing of the dog as herein required.

(Prior code § 54206)

The county veterinarian shall keep a permanent record of all such receipts and license tags so issued. The refusal or failure to have such dog vaccinated or the refusal or failure to obtain the license and pay the license fee by the owner of the dog as required by the provisions herein, shall constitute a violation of the provisions of this title. The county of Imperial shall provide and furnish numbered license receipts and tags to the county veterinarian.

(Prior code § 54207)

Every stray dog and every dog committing a nuisance, and every dog which is found not to have a license tag attached to his or her collar according to the provisions of this title, shall be presumed not to be vaccinated and shall be taken up and sheltered or confined in a safe and comfortable place, properly provided with food and water. Any confinement pursuant to this section shall be subject to the following:

A. An initial impound charge in the amount of seven dollars and fifty cents ($7.50) for every animal impounded during regular office hours or twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50) for each animal impounded outside regular office hours shall be charged. Additionally, a five dollar ($5.00) fee shall be charged for every twenty-four (24) hour period or portion thereof, during which the animal is impounded.

B. Any person who appears at the animal shelter and who establishes ownership of a dog impounded hereunder, may have such dog released to him or her upon properly licensing the dog, acquiring any required vaccination and upon paying the fees and charges established under subsection A of this section. It is provided, however, that the shelter master may, where he or she determines that the owner of a dog is financially unable to pay impound or per diem charges, waive the requirement that such charges be paid.

C. Any dog which is not redeemed may be destroyed by the shelter master or at his or her direction, or otherwise disposed of, so as to prevent the dog from running at large in the county in violation of the terms of this title. Nothing in this title shall be construed as permitting the redemption of any dog having, or suspected of having, rabies.

(Prior code § 54404)

The county health officer and county veterinarian are authorized to provide shelter and care for, to provide for redemption of, or to destroy, abandoned dogs, on the same basis as provided for the sheltering of stray dogs by the provisions of Section 6.08.090. Persons who are incarcerated, or otherwise institutionalized, or who are the victims of accidents, illnesses, or deaths, and own dogs for which they have not made other arrangements for care and shelter, shall be deemed to have abandoned their dogs.

(Prior code § 54404.5)

A. Pursuant to authority vested in it by the provisions of Sections 31105 through 31108 of the California Food and Agriculture Code, the board of supervisors authorizes the county health officer and county veterinarian to take up, impound, and destroy or otherwise dispose of stray and abandoned dogs in appropriate circumstances. All animals shall be destroyed in some humane manner.

B. No dog which is impounded pursuant to this title shall be destroyed or otherwise disposed of without notice to the owner, if the owner is known. Upon impoundment of a dog wearing a license tag, or identification listing the owner's name and address, the county shall immediately mail to the owner of record at the address indicated, a notice of the location of the dog.

The owner of an impounded dog shall be notified that he or she may within six business days claim the dog prior to its legal disposition by providing paper identification, meeting all requirements, and paying the applicable redemption fees.

C. The county shall hold an impounded, lost or stray or abandoned dog for not less than six business days, not including the day of impoundment, if it was not wearing a license tag when impounded and for not less than eight business days, not including the day of impoundment, from the date notice is sent by the county, if the dog was wearing a license tag, other identification, or the county has other reason to believe that an owner exists, or that the owner or custodian may claim the dog prior to other disposition.

(Ord. 1341 § 25, 2001; prior code § 54405.7)

No dog owner shall cause, permit or allow his or her dog to run at large (i.e., be neither effectively confined by a building, structure or enclosure nor restrained by a rope, strap, chain or other material) in any portion of the unincorporated area of the county, except as hereinafter provided.

(Prior code § 54600)

A. A dog may be permitted to run at large on the premises of its owner, or on private property with the consent of the owner of the property, so long as any such dog is under the direct and effective sound or gesture control and within the sight of its owner.

B. The county health officer or county veterinarian, or the authorized deputies of either, may require that dogs allowed to run at large on the premises of the owner or on private property shall at all times be under the direct control and within the sight of the owner or an agent of the owner. In instances wherein dogs are leashed or otherwise controlled by the owner, but not within the direct control or sight of the owner, the officers may require that such premises have appropriate fencing.

(Prior code § 54601)

A dog may be permitted to run at large while participating in field trials and obedience classes, organized and sanctioned by recognized dog clubs, while assisting in legal hunting or in the herding of livestock, or while assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement duties, so long as any such dog is under direct and effective control of the owner.

(Prior code § 54602)

Any dog, outside the premises of its owner and not coming within the provisions of either Section 6.08.130, shal1 be restrained by a leash or be confined in a vehicle, cage, or enclosure.

(Prior code § 54603)

Violation of any prohibition contained in this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor or an infraction and violators shall be subject to the sanctions and procedures set forth in Chapter 1.16 of this code.

(Prior code § 54604)

(Ord. No. 1457, §§ 1, 2, 1-26-10)