(A) A license fee will not be levied for any dog license issued for any assistance dog. As used in this chapter, "assistance dogs" are dogs specially trained as guide dogs, signal dogs or service dogs. Owners of assistance dogs may apply for an assistance dog license free of charge. All active applications that have been endorsed will be kept on file with the Director of Finance.
(1) Whenever a person applies for an assistance dog identification tag, the person must sign an affidavit stating as follows:
By affixing my signature to this affidavit, I hereby declare I fully understand that Section 365.7 of the Penal Code prohibits any person to knowingly and fraudulently represent themselves, through verbal or written notice, to be the Owner or trainer of any canine licensed as, to be qualified as, or identified as, a guide dog, signal dog or service dog, as defined in subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) respectively, of Section 365.5 of the Penal Code and paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 54.1 of the Civil Code, and that a violation of Section 365.7 of the Penal Code is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by both that imprisonment and fine.
(2) Upon the death or retirement of an assistance dog, the owner or person in possession of the assistance dog identification tag must immediately return the identification tag to the department that issued the tag.
(B) A fee will not be levied for any dog license issued to a licensed service-animal training organization or dog owner when such dog is currently enrolled in a service-animal training program with a licensed training organization.
(C) Dogs that are certified in writing by a licensed veterinarian as not being suitable subjects for sterilizing due to health or age reasons will be assessed the altered license fee for one year. If the dog, at a later date, is determined by the veterinarian to be suitable for sterilization, then the current standard license fee amount will apply.
(D) A fee will not be collected or received for any dog license issued for a dog used in active duty status with a governmental law enforcement agency.
(E) Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the access of any person in violation of the American's with Disabilities Act of 1990.
(Ord. 914-C.S., passed 4-20-21)