Mammoth Lakes Municipal Code Ch. 6.12 Dogs

The owner of any dog over the age of six months residing in the Town shall procure a Town dog license and pay an annual license fee for each dog in accordance with the fees established by Town Council resolution pursuant to Section 6.12.020.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.010; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

(a) The Town Council shall adopt a resolution for the purpose of declaring the fees appropriate for the licensure of non-spayed and non-neutered dogs, and for spayed and neutered dogs after receipt of an appropriate certificate from a licensed veterinarian declaring the dog to have been so spayed or neutered or other proof acceptable to the animal control officer. The resolution providing for the license fees may also establish additional fees and penalties.

(b) License fees shall be due and payable when a dog reaches six months of age or when a dog is brought into the Town. Payment of the license fee shall be delinquent 30 days from the due date and subject to a late payment penalty established by resolution of the Town Council, provided that, if the delinquent date falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, license fees may be paid without penalty on the first succeeding business day. No penalty will be due if the owner or custodian procures a license within 30 days after the dog is brought into the Town or within 30 days after the dog reaches the age of six months.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.020; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

All dog licenses shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.030; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

Prior to issuance of a dog license, the owner of the dog shall have had the dog vaccinated for rabies and present a vaccination certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian, indicating that the period of time elapsing from the date of vaccination to the date of expiration of the license being issued does not exceed 36 months. The vaccination certification need not be presented when the owner or custodian of the dog furnishes proof in the form of a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian that the dog has a condition or illness which renders it unfit to be vaccinated.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.040; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

Upon providing proof of vaccination and payment of the license fee, the dog owner shall be issued a dog license tag. The dog license tag shall include the date of expiration and the words "Mammoth Lakes" and "Dog License" clearly inscribed thereon. The dog license tag shall be securely attached to a collar or harness on such dog. The animal control officer may impound any dog not bearing a current dog license tag issued by the home jurisdiction of the dog.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.050; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

The owner of any dog over the age of six months visiting the Town shall have a valid dog license issued by authority of another government for the duration of the time within the Town.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.060; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

The animal control officer shall keep a register that includes the name and address of the owners of all dogs licensed and the description of such dogs, the number of the tag, and the date of issuance. A similar register for all operators of kennels shall also be kept by the animal control officer.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.070; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

(a) Every person owning or operating a kennel, or place where four or more dogs are kept for breeding, boarding, training, or other commercial purposes, in lieu of obtaining licenses for all dogs kept therein, shall obtain a kennel license for keeping and caring for dogs onsite; provided, however, that all such dogs shall be vaccinated as provided in this title. It is unlawful for any person to fail to procure a kennel license when owning or operating a kennel.

(b) Before any kennel license is issued, a permit therefor shall be obtained from the County Health Officer. All required permits, certifications, or licenses from the Town must also be obtained, including, without limitation, a business tax certificate and use permit.

(c) All kennels shall be constructed so as to prevent dogs confined therein from running at large or leaving the premises where the kennel is maintained. All kennels shall be constructed and operated in a sanitary and proper manner so that the kennel does not disturb the neighborhood thereof. The Town animal control officer and the County Health Officer may prescribe reasonable regulations regarding the operation of kennels.

(d) Failure of the kennel to comply with the requirements of this section shall constitute grounds for the Town to revoke such kennel license.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.080; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

All kennel licenses shall be issued for a period from January 1 through December 31 of each year. The kennel license fees shall be due and payable on January 1 and shall be delinquent after February 1 of each year and subject to a late payment penalty established by resolution of the Town Council; provided, however, that if February 1 falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, license fees may be paid without penalty on the first succeeding business day.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.090; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

Any person bringing a dog into the Town which has not been vaccinated with a canine anti-rabies vaccine approved by and in the manner prescribed by the State Department of Health Services, prior to importation shall get such dog vaccinated against rabies within 30 days after its arrival in the Town. This includes any dog visiting for a period of more than 30 days.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.100; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

Any owner of a dog over four months of age shall exhibit to the animal control officer a certificate of a duly licensed veterinarian certifying that the dog has been vaccinated, the date of the vaccination, and the type of vaccine used, if requested.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.110; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

(a) Every person practicing veterinary medicine in the Town who vaccinates a dog with rabies vaccine shall issue to the owner of the dog a duplicate original of a certificate signed by the veterinarian which states:

(1) The name and address of the owner of the vaccinated dog.

(2) The type of vaccine used, name of the manufacturer, manufacturer's vaccine serial or lot number, and the date of the vaccination.

(3) The name, breed, age, color, and sex of the vaccinated dog.

(4) The year, issuing jurisdiction, and serial number of the license tag, if available.

(b) Veterinarians shall retain a copy of each such vaccination certificate issued for the period of time for which the vaccination is effective.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.120; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

Any dog owner shall immediately notify the animal control officer when they observe or become aware of any of the following:

(1) That a dog has shown symptoms of rabies.

(2) That a dog has acted in a manner which would lead a reasonable person to suspect that it might have rabies.

(3) That a dog has been bitten by a dog having rabies or suspected of having rabies.

(4) That a dog has otherwise been exposed to rabies or has bitten a human being.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.130; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

(a) When any dog has bitten any human being or dog, or when the animal control officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that a dog has rabies, such officer is empowered to immediately quarantine the dog either upon the premises of the owner or within the animal shelter. Such quarantine shall be by written notice served upon the owner of the dog and shall contain the statement that the dog is quarantined and the instructions to be followed.

(b) If the quarantine is upon the premises of the owner of the dog, the dog shall immediately be confined within a locked enclosure so constructed that it cannot escape or have contact with any other animal or human being other than the person responsible for its care, or at the discretion of the animal control officer, it may be kept under restraint by leash in the charge of the owner or under such other restriction as the animal control officer may deem necessary. The owner of any dog quarantined on the premises shall immediately report to the animal control officer any change in the disposition or unusual actions of the dog. The dog shall be kept quarantined and restrained until the animal control officer shall, in writing, order its destruction or release.

(c) When a dog is required to be quarantined in the animal shelter, it shall be held for a sufficient period of time to determine whether or not it is infected with rabies. Any dog determined to have rabies shall be immediately destroyed. Any dog quarantined in the animal shelter determined not to have rabies may be released to the owner and redeemed by its owner as specified in Chapter 6.16. If the owner of a dog fails to redeem said dog within six days from the date of a written notice of release from quarantine by the animal control officer, such dog may be sold or destroyed as provided in Chapter 6.16.

(d) When any dog is quarantined, it is unlawful for the owner of the dog to violate the quarantine by removing the dog from the premises, allowing it to run at large, destroying it without authorization from the animal control officer, concealing it from the animal control officer, or disobeying any other quarantine restriction which was imposed by the animal control officer.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.140; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

(a) No unauthorized person shall remove any current valid license tag from any dog.

(b) No person shall attach or keep upon any dog any license tag provided for in Sections 6.12.010 through 6.12.070, except a tag issued for such dog pursuant to such sections.

(c) No person shall harbor or keep any dog over the age of six months which does not have a valid Town dog license.

(d) No person shall interfere with, oppose, or resist any animal control officer who is impounding animals or issuing citations, while such officer is engaged in the performance of official duties.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.150; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

It is unlawful for any dog owner to allow their dog to habitually destroy the peace and quiet of any other person or neighborhood by habitual barking or howling.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.160; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

It is unlawful for any dog owner to allow their dog to defecate or urinate in a public place or on the property of another, to knock over trash cans, dig holes on the property of another, or create a nuisance in any public place or on the property of another.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.170; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

The owner of any dog shall be responsible for cleaning up any feces deposited by the dog of the animal within the Town municipal boundary and disposing of such feces in a waste receptacle. The provisions of this section shall not apply to guide dogs accompanying a blind or disabled person or to a dog used by police or in rescue actions.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.180; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

No person shall permit any vicious dog owned, controlled, harbored, or kept by them to run at large at any time. The owner of any vicious dog shall comply with Food and Agriculture Code § 31641 et seq. at all times. For purposes of this section, the term "vicious dog" shall have the meaning set forth in Food and Agriculture Code § 31603.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.190; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

(a) It is unlawful for any dog owner to allow their dog to run at large within the Town municipal boundary. All dogs shall be kept securely fastened by a chain, rope, or leash unless securely confined within private property legally controlled by the owner of the dog. Further, any dog off the premises of its owner shall be presumed to be at large unless it is securely fastened to a rope, chain, or leash not exceeding six feet in length and is under the immediate physical control of the owner.

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any dog while being trained in an obedience class or being exhibited at a dog show or obedience trial or being trained for or used for bona fide hunting purposes, or that is engaged in the herding, grazing, or control of livestock; provided, however, that such dog is under the immediate vocal control of its owner while so engaged.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.200; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

Notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the contrary, properly licensed and tagged dogs which are not vicious dogs within the meaning of Food and Agriculture Code § 31603 or potentially dangerous dogs within the meaning of Food and Agriculture Code § 31602 may be exercised without a leash in the designated areas established by the Parks and Recreation Director or designee subject to the following rules and regulations:

(1) No dog is permitted in the off-leash area unless it is under the care, custody, and control of the owner.

(2) Dogs are permitted off-leash in the designated areas only during the posted hours of operation.

(3) All dogs must be vaccinated for rabies and have a current dog license. No dog that is sick, in heat, vicious, potentially dangerous or has previously bitten any person is permitted in the off-leash area.

(4) All dogs must be under the voice control of their owners at all times. The owner must remain present within the off-leash dog area at all times, must carry a leash, and must leash the dog at the first sign of aggression.

(5) The owner must promptly remove and properly dispose of the dog's waste in a waste receptacle. The owner bears full responsibility for filling any holes and repairing damage to the park created by the dog's defecation.

(6) No animals other than dogs are permitted in an off-leash area.

(7) No dog obedience classes may be conducted in an off-leash area.

(8) The use of an off-leash area by a dog and its owner will constitute the owner's agreement to comply with the rules contained in this section as well as those regulations posted by the Parks and Recreation Director or designee with respect to the use of such off-leash areas.

(9) The use of an off-leash area by a dog and its owner will constitute the owner's agreement to protect, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Town from any claim, injury or damage arising from or in connection with such use.

(10) Signage shall be posted by the Town at the entrance to any designated off-leash area stating these rules and any applicable hours of operation.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.210; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)

Any person violating the provisions of Sections 6.12.160 through 6.12.210 shall be guilty of an infraction and, upon conviction, shall be punishable as determined by the court of jurisdiction. Alternatively, Town staff may issue an administrative citation for any violation pursuant to Chapter 1.18.

(Code 1990, § 6.12.220; Ord. No. 21-02, § 1(exh. A), 2-3-2021; Ord. No. 21-05, § 1(exh. A), 5-19-2021)