La Habra Municipal Code Ch. 6.16 Dog and Animal Licensing

No person shall keep or cause to be kept any dog that is over the age of four months within the city for more than thirty days unless the dog is licensed as provided in this title and has around its neck a collar to which is attached a plate or tag as provided by this title.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

Any owner of a domestic or permitted animal other than a dog may voluntarily license such animal for identification purposes upon payment of a fee as established per resolution of the city council. Such animals are not required to provide proof of rabies vaccination.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

A. Application for a dog or animal license shall be made to the city finance director or his designated representative on the form provided by such officer and shall be accompanied by a certificate of anti-rabies vaccination for any dog to be licensed. Each application for a dog license tag shall state the age, sex, color, and breed of the dog for which the license is desired and the address of the owner (30802 F&A).

B. The term of any dog license issued under this chapter commences on the date of the issuance of the license and shall terminate on or before the expiration date of the certificate of anti-rabies vaccination accompanying the application for the dog license.

C. The person to whom the license is to be issued pursuant to this subdivision may choose a license period as of up to one, two, or three years. However, when issuing a license pursuant to this subdivision, the license period shall not extend beyond the remaining period of validity for the current rabies vaccination.

D. All dog or animal licenses issued under this chapter shall be numbered and shall be in such form as provided by the finance director.

E. Upon approval of the application, payment of the applicable license fee, and payment of any applicable late fee, the finance director or his designated representative shall issue the dog or animal license in the name of the owner or possessor of the dog or animal to be licensed. Such license shall not be transferable to another owner or possessor and shall not be valid for another dog or animal.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

A. The fee for a dog license issued under this chapter, except as provided in subsections (B), (C), (D) and (E) below, shall be as established per resolution of the city council. All such license taxes shall be paid to or collected by the finance director shall be credited to the general fund.

B. The license fee for spayed female dogs and neutered male dogs shall be one-half (fifty percent), or less of the fee listed in the municipal schedule for subsection (A) (38792 GC).

C. A citizen over the age of sixty-two years shall be charged one-half of any license fee noted herein.

D. No person having impaired hearing or eyesight shall be required to pay any license fee for any dog specially trained and principally used for the purpose of leading or guiding such person.

E. Licenses for active or retired police service dogs shall be issued without charge.

F. If a person fails to obtain a dog license within ten days after service of a written notice on him that such license is required, or thirty days after the expiration of a dog license or after acquiring a dog, or moving into the city limits with a dog, then a late fee as established per resolution of the city council shall be charged in addition to the applicable license fee.

G. Once remitted, licensing fees shall not be refunded except upon mistake or duplication by city staff.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

A plate or tag with an identification number inscribed thereon shall be furnished to the owner or possessor of the dog/animal to be licensed with each initial license. Such identification number shall not be transferable to another dog. The finance director shall keep a record of identification numbers, licenses issued, a general description of each dog for which an identification number and license are issued, and the name, address and telephone number of the owner or possessor of each dog for which an identification number and license are issued. It shall be the responsibility of every dog owner to ensure that the finance director has on file the current address and telephone number for the owner of any licensed dog.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

Whenever any plate or tag as provided in this chapter is lost or stolen, the city finance director may issue a duplicate upon application therefore and upon the payment of a fee as established per resolution of the city council and the filing of an affidavit by the owner or possessor of said dog or animal to the effect that such tag or plate was lost or stolen.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful and constitutes an infraction for any person to violate, or fail to comply with any provision of this chapter. A second or subsequent violation of any section within this chapter may, at the discretion of the animal control officer, chief of police, city attorney or district attorney, constitute a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)