Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 6.08 Dog and Cat Licensing

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— ORD-10-0017 § 1, adopted June 15, 2010, amended Ch. 6.08 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 6.08, §§ 6.08.010—6.08-080, was entitled "Dog Licensing", and derived from: Prior code §§ 5610.12—5610.20; Ord. C-5403 §§ 1, 2, 1978; Ord. C-5528 § 1, 1979; Ord. C-5645 § 1 (part), 1980; Ord. C-5721 § 1, 1981; Ord. C-6096 § 1 (part), 1984; Ord. C-6876 § 2, 1991; and ORD-09-0022, § 3 adopted Aug. 4, 2009.

State Law reference— Provisions on the licensing of dogs, Food and Agric. Code § 30501 et seq.

A. Dog license. No person responsible for any dog shall have such dog, male or female, over the age of four (4) months, within the City without at all times having upon such dog a collar or harness to which shall be securely fastened a tag as provided in this Chapter. Said tag may be issued at any time during the calendar year and may be issued for a period of twelve (12) months. The tag shall be obtained from the Director, inscribed with the letters and words "LONG BEACH" and with the serial number of the tag. The tax shall be sufficient only during the period for which the tag is issued.

B. Cat license. No person responsible for any cat shall have such cat, male or female, over the age of four (4) months, within the City without at all times having upon such cat either a tag as provided in Subsection B.1. below, or a microchip as provided in Subsection B.2. below.

1. Tag. The tag shall be securely fastened to a collar or harness as provided in this Chapter. Said tag may be issued at any time during the calendar year and may be issued for a period of twelve (12) months. The tag shall be obtained from the Director, inscribed with the letters and words "LONG BEACH" and with the serial number of the tag. The tag shall be sufficient only during the period for which the tag is issued.

2. Microchip. In place of the tag and collar described in Subsection B.1. above, a person responsible for a cat may instead ensure that the cat bears an identifiable microchip. For the purposes of this Chapter, the term "microchip" shall mean the injection of an identification chip below the skin of an animal performed by a veterinarian, registered veterinary technician or other qualified staff. The person responsible for such cat shall obtain an annual license at such times and in the manner as specified in Section 6.08.030.

(ORD-10-0017, § 1, 2010)

A. Violation of, or failure to comply with any provision of Chapter 6.08 of this Code constitutes a criminal offense punishable as an infraction for the first offense, and a misdemeanor for any subsequent offense committed within a twelve-month period, with criminal penalties set forth in Chapter 1.32 of this Code.

B. In addition to criminal penalties, persons who violate any provision of this Chapter may be assessed administrative fines and penalties established pursuant to Chapter 6.16 of this Code.

(ORD-10-0017, § 1, 2010)

It shall not be necessary for a person who is a resident of any area at the time the area is annexed to the City and who at said time is a person responsible for a dog or cat for which a license fee has been paid and a dog or cat license issued under and by virtue of the ordinances of the County to obtain a license for the animal as is provided in Section 6.08.010, except that after the effective date of an annexation such person shall cause the dog or cat to have upon it a collar, harness or similar device to which shall be attached the County dog or cat license tag or such other official indicia as is issued by the County, or, in the case of a cat, a microchip; but such person shall be subject to all provisions of Section 6.08.010, from and after the expiration date of the County dog or cat license.

(ORD-10-0017, § 1, 2010)

A. Tags for dogs or cats. The Director is authorized and directed to procure on an as needed basis such quantity of tags as may be required for dogs and cats in the City, which tags shall be plainly inscribed as set forth in this Chapter, and shall be valid for only the period for which they are issued. The Director shall furnish such tags to the person(s) responsible for dogs and cats in the City for fees which shall be established by the City Council by resolution for each unaltered dog and for each altered dog whose spaying or neutering is verified by a certificate from a licensed veterinarian and for each altered cat. The Director shall keep a register, wherein shall be entered the name of every person to whom a dog or cat tag has been issued, together with the serial number, and the period for which it is valid, the date of issuance, the address of applicant, and any other data deemed pertinent. Such tag shall be good only for use upon the dog or cat described in such application.

B. Microchipped cats. The Director shall issue a certificate of license, which shall be valid for only the period for which it is issued. The Director shall furnish such licenses to the person(s) responsible for cats in the City for fees which shall be established by the City Council by resolution for each microchipped cat. The Director shall keep a register, wherein shall be entered the name of every person to whom a license has been issued, together with the microchip number and the period for which the license is valid, the date of issuance, the address of applicant, and any other data deemed pertinent. Such license shall be good only for use upon the cat described in such application.

(ORD-10-0017, § 1, 2010)

Penalties, which shall be established by the City Council by resolution, shall be added to the license fees established by the City Council by resolution for dogs and cats, if the required tag for a dog or cat is secured more than sixty (60) days subsequent to the required renewal date; provided, that no penalty shall be added for the securing of any license secured within sixty (60) days after the date on which the dog or cat for which the license is secured becomes subject to the provisions of this Chapter, nor shall any penalty be added for a license secured within sixty (60) days after the applicant becomes the person responsible for the dog or cat for which the license is bought.

(ORD-10-0017, § 1, 2010)

In case of loss or destruction of any tag required by the provisions of this Chapter, a duplicate shall be issued by the Director upon request and upon the payment of the fee established therefore by the City Council by resolution.

(ORD-10-0017, § 1, 2010)

No license fee or tax shall be required for the issuance of a tag for any dog owned as a guide dog, signal dog and/or service dog, as those terms are currently defined in California Penal Code Section 365.5 or as may be amended in the future. The Director shall annually issue tags free of charge to persons responsible for having the custody and control of such dogs.

(ORD-10-0017, § 1, 2010)

No person shall imitate or counterfeit any tag, license, receipt or registration certificate required or issued pursuant to this Chapter or use any imitation or counterfeit of any such tag, license, receipt or certificate.

(ORD-10-0017, § 1, 2010)

No person responsible for any dog or cat subject to license under this Chapter shall refuse to show upon demand to the Director, any Animal Care Services Bureau enforcement officer or inspector, or any Police Officer, the City license or the license tag for any duly registered dog or cat.

(ORD-10-0017, § 1, 2010)

No license shall be issued for an unaltered cat pursuant to this Chapter, unless the cat is certified by a licensed veterinarian as not being suitable for spaying or neutering due to health reasons pursuant to Section 6.16.085.

(ORD-10-0017, § 1, 2010)