Monterey Municipal Code Div. 1 Generally

It shall be unlawful for any person having the charge, care, or control of any dog, whether licensed and vaccinated or not, to suffer or permit any such dog to run at large on any public or private property within the City.

All dogs shall be deemed running at large within the meaning of this Section unless led or restrained by a chain, strap, rope, or cord attached to their collars or harness and actually held by some person or made fast to some stationary object.

This Section does not apply to police dogs or dogs used by the City to control wildlife in public areas, during the time such dogs are engaged in these permitted activities. In addition, this Section does not apply to dogs located on private property enclosed by a fence or similar structure of which the owner of the dog has lawful possession, ownership or control, nor shall it apply to dog parks. (Ord. 3472 § 5, 2012; Ord. 3392, 2007)

It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police, and any person as he may designate for the purpose, and the agency designated with the duty so to do by the joint powers agreement between the City and the County, to seize and impound all unlicensed dogs and all dogs found running at large within the City. Any police officer or person designated by the Chief of Police shall have the authority to issue citations under this Division.

All impounded dogs or other animals not reclaimed or redeemed within 72 hours may be destroyed in some humane manner by the agency designated in the joint powers agreement between the City and the County, or such agency may, after such dog or other animal is impounded for 72 hours, place the same with some responsible person and convey a valid title thereto. Such 72-hour period shall start to run on a currently licensed dog having thereon a license tag only after a postcard has been mailed by the agency to the owner at the address given on his application for a dog license; provided, that if such dog or other animal is seriously injured or ill, the agency may, with the consent of the public health veterinarian of the County, and to prevent further suffering, destroy such dog or other animal prior to the expiration of such 72-hour period.

Every person owning or having charge, care or control over any dog shall, immediately after his dog attains the age of four months and at intervals of not more than 24 months thereafter, secure the vaccination of such dog by a licensed veterinarian with a canine anti-rabies vaccine of a type approved by the State Department of Public Health.

Any dog may be exempted from the anti-rabies vaccination if its owner presents to the Animal Control Officer a statement in writing from a licensed veterinarian indicating the dog is not in a physical condition to be vaccinated or that the administration of the vaccination would be detrimental to the dog’s health. The following conditions shall apply to the exemption:

a.The dog owner signs a notice of understanding stipulating the dog will be restricted to the premises or kept under physical restraint of the owner at all times during the duration of the exemption; and

b.The owner agrees to pay the licensing fee to obtain the exemption; and

c.The owner agrees to obtain the vaccination within 10 days of the termination of said infirmity or disability; and

d.The owner agrees to annually renew the exemption and provide an updated written statement from a licensed veterinarian should the affliction continue; and

e.The owner agrees to allow the City to require a second opinion from another licensed veterinarian should the City desire to do so. (Ord. 3447 C.S. § 1, 2010)

All dogs under four months of age shall be confined to the premises of, or kept under physical restraint by, the person owning or having charge, care or control of such dog; provided, that this Section shall not be construed to prevent the sale or transportation of a puppy four months old or younger.

Fees and charges shall be imposed as follows:

a.For each licensed dog wearing a current license tag, an impound fee of $10, and each dog not wearing a current license tag or a dog which has no license an impound fee of $15; for any other animal an impound fee of $5. In addition, there will be a fee of $2.50 for the boarding of a nonquarantined dog or cat.

b.For each dog or cat quarantined at the animal shelter, a charge of $3 per day for keeping and feeding such dog or cat.

c.For the impounding of animals other than dogs or cats, an impound fee of $5 per animal and in addition thereto, a charge equivalent to the costs incurred by the county for any special transportation required for moving such animals and for feeding them while impounded.

d.For each rabies vaccination of a dog performed by a veterinarian at the animal shelter, a fee of $7.50, and a fee of $8 for any other shot administered by a veterinarian at the animal shelter. A $2 fee will be charged for each vaccination performed at special reduced rate clinics.

e.For each dog or cat placed for adoption by the animal shelter, a refundable fee of $20 for the purpose of contributing to the spaying or neutering of such dog or cat, such fee to be refunded if such dog or cat is returned and surrendered to the animal shelter within 30 days. The person paying such $20 shall be given a certificate which, when endorsed by a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine showing the spaying or neutering of such dog or cat within six months of the date of certification, shall entitle such veterinarian, upon presentation of such certificate so endorsed, to a payment of $20 by the County.

f.There shall be no fee for the adoption of a dog, cat or other animal.