Article III — LICENSES

(A) No person, hereinafter called "owner," shall own, possess, maintain, harbor or have control of any dog over the age of four months within the county for a period in excess of 30 days, unless such dog is licensed as provided in this chapter. Every owner so having any dog over the age of four months shall apply for a license for such dog and shall pay a license fee which shall be fixed by the Board of Supervisors from time to time by resolution. License fees shall be paid to the animal control officer. Such licenses shall be issued pursuant to a current rabies vaccination valid throughout the license period. (HMC § 6.08.120, as modified.) (B) Any dog found to be in violation of licensure requirements of this chapter shall be impounded. (See Cal. Health and Safety Code § 121690) (Ord. 836, § 1 (part))

The owner applying for any license required by this chapter shall present a valid anti-rabies vaccination certificate stating the date the dog was vaccinated with anti-rabies vaccine, the type of rabies vaccine administered, the name and address of the owner, the breed, color, sex and age of the dog and signed by the veterinarian vaccinating the dog. Following presentation of the valid vaccination certificate by the owner, the owner shall make application for such license upon a form provided by the animal control officer, which application shall state the owner's name and address, the name, breed, color, sex and age of each dog owned or kept by the owner and the date the owner acquired such dog if acquired after July 1st of the current license period. (HMC § 6.08.130) (Ord. 836, § 1 (part))

The owner of a "seeing eye" dog, properly trained to assist blind persons, when such dog is actually being used by such blind person for the purpose of aiding the person in going from place to place, shall make application for a license on such form and shall present such vaccination certificate but such license shall be issued without charge. All other licenses shall be paid for prior to the time they are issued. (HMC § 6.08.140) (Ord. 836, § 1 (part))

(A) On payment of the license fee required by this chapter, a license certificate and a metallic tag shall be issued to the owner of each dog so licensed. The number on the tag shall correspond to the number on the certificate issued, and, in case of loss or destruction of the tag, a duplicate shall be issued upon presentation of a receipt or certificate showing the payment of the license fee for the current license term and the payment of a $2 fee for each such duplicate. (B) Tags shall not be transferable from one dog to another and no refunds shall be made on any license fee because of the death of the dog or the owner's leaving the county prior to the expiration of the license term. Every owner shall provide each dog with a collar to which the tag shall be affixed and shall see that the collar and tag are constantly worn. (HMC § 6.08.150) (Ord. 836, § 1 (part))

The amount of any dog license, together with penalties, impounding fees and all other charges specified in this chapter, shall be deemed a debt to the county and any person liable for the payment thereof shall be liable to an action in the name of the county in any court of competent jurisdiction for the amount thereof and also for the sum of $25 which, if judgment is recovered, shall be applied as attorney's fees for the plaintiff or compensation for staff time, and included in and assessed as recoverable court costs in such action. (HMC § 6.08.160, as modified.) (Ord. 836, § 1 (part))