Los Banos Municipal Code Art. 3 Mandatory Dog License Tag and Vaccination

Every owner of a dog which is four months of age or older, and which is kept in the City, shall obtain and maintain a current dog license tag for such dog from the City and shall pay the license fee as imposed by resolution of the City Council. No person shall refuse to exhibit such license when so directed by an Animal Control Officer, Public Safety or Code Enforcement Officer. The owner shall obtain the initial dog license tag within 30 days of the dog reaching four months of age; or within 30 days of owning/keeping/possessing a dog over the age of four months.

(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)

Upon each application for a dog license tag or renewal of an expired dog license, the owner shall furnish to the City, in writing, his or her name, home and cellular telephone number, the address where the dog is kept, the name, breed, age, sex and color of the dog, proof of current vaccination, and proof that the dog has been spayed or neutered, if a discounted license is applicable. The City shall furnish application forms for such purpose and upon payment of all applicable fees, and penalties, if any, shall issue a numbered dog license tag.

(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)

The City shall not issue any dog license tag under this chapter without presentation of a certificate of vaccination signed by a veterinarian showing that the dog has been vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine and the period of time from the date of vaccination to the date of expiration of the vaccination does not exceed the time interval prescribed by the State Department of Health. In no case shall a dog license tag be issued with an expiration date greater than the rabies vaccination expiration date. Where a certificate of vaccination shows that a dog should not be vaccinated due to infirmity or other disability, the nature of the infirmity and/or other disability and the estimated date of termination of the disability thereof shall be shown.

(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)

(a) License Fee. A dog license fee set by resolution of the City Council shall be imposed upon every dog four months and older which is kept in the City by any person who is an owner. The dog license fee shall be reduced by at least 50% if a certificate is presented from a licensed veterinarian that the dog has been spayed or neutered. The dog license fee is an annual fee and shall not in any case be prorated.

(b) New Residents. Any person who moves into the City of Los Banos with a dog over the age of four months and with a current license and vaccination from another jurisdiction shall be allowed to procure a City of Los Banos dog license tag within the first 30 days at no charge. The expiration date of such new license will correspond with the expiration date of the previously issued license not to exceed one year.

(c) Duration of Dog License Tag. The person to whom the dog license is to be issued pursuant to this chapter may choose a dog license period of up to one, two, or three years. Dog licenses for dogs that have not attained the age of 12 months shall not exceed two years. Dog licenses for dogs that have attained the age of 12 months or older and who have been vaccinated for rabies shall not exceed three years. However, when issuing a dog license pursuant to this chapter, the license period shall not extend beyond the remaining period of validity for the current rabies vaccination.

(d) Assistance Dogs. Assistance dogs are issued a specifically designed identifying tag in accordance with the California Food and Agricultural Code Section 30850, et seq. No fee shall be required for an assistance dog identification tag for any "assistance dog" such as a guide dog, signal dog or service dog as defined in California Food and Agriculture Code, Section 30850. However this provision does not remove the owner's responsibility to vaccinate said dog against rabies and attach a current City issued dog license tag to the dog's collar. Whenever a person applies for an assistance dog identification tag, the person shall sign an affidavit as defined in California Food and Agriculture Code, Section 30850(b). Owners of these assistance dogs must comply with all State and local health and license requirements for dogs.

(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)

If a dog license tag is lost or destroyed, a duplicate or other tag in lieu thereof shall be procured from the City within 30 days after loss or destruction. Upon receiving payment of a replacement fee, the City shall issue a replacement tag to the owner. The replacement fee shall be set by resolution of the City Council.

(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)

The dog license tag issued to any dog licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be securely affixed to a collar, harness, or other device and shall be worn by such dog at all times that the dog is in the City, except when the dog is confined in a commercial kennel, or veterinary facility, or it is being exhibited at a show, field trial or other competition. The dog license tag shall be shown by the owner or handler at any time upon demand by an Animal Control Officer, Public Safety Officer, or Code Enforcement Officer.

(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)

A delinquent fee shall be added to any dog license fee for dog license tags not obtained in accordance with the times set forth in this chapter. The delinquent fee shall be set by resolution of the City Council.

(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)

The dog license tag required by this chapter shall not be transferable from one dog to another.

(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)

The City shall keep a record of the issuance of dog license tags issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, which shall establish the identity of the person that owns or harbors the dog.

(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)

Each Animal Control Officer shall have the authority to seize and impound any dog owned, possessed, or harbored within the corporate limits of the City on which a current and valid dog license tag has not been issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. However, the provisions of this section shall not apply to dogs passing through the City or not remaining therein for a period of more than 30 days. In the alternative or in addition to impoundment the Animal Control Officer shall have the authority to issue an administrative citation for a violation of this section.

(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)