SEC. 53.51. VACCINATION OF DOGS REQUIRED.

   Every person who owns or harbors any dog over the age of four months in the city shall have such dog vaccinated against rabies by a duly licensed veterinarian of the person’s choice, or at a Vaccination Clinic sponsored by the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, except as provided in Section 53.52. (Amended by Ord. No. 127,508, Eff. 6/29/64.)

SEC. 53.52. EXEMPTIONS.

   (Amended by Ord. No. 106,995, Eff. 3/24/56.)

   Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, no dog need be vaccinated for rabies where:

   (1)   A licensed veterinarian has examined the dog and certified that at such time vaccination would endanger the dog’s health because of its age, infirmity, debility, or other physiological consideration; and

   (2)   Such certificate is presented to the Health Officer within five days of such examination; and

   (3)   The Health Officer concurs in the opinion of the veterinarian contained in such certificate and endorses on such certificate the Health Officer’s approval thereof, such certificate must bear the date of issuance and must be renewed each year; or

   (4)   The dog is kept in the house, or in a fenced yard adequate to confine the animal at all times and the owner or person in charge of control of the dog furnishes the Department with a signed statement to that effect, or

   (5)   The dog, meeting the above requirements, is kept on a leash in accordance with the existing city leash law.

SEC. 53.53. DUTY OF VETERINARIANS PERFORMING VACCINATIONS.

   (Amended by Ord. No. 181,882, Eff. 10/30/11.)

   Each duly licensed veterinarian, after vaccinating any dog, shall sign a certificate containing the following information:

   1.   The name and address of the owner or custodian of the vaccinated dog;

   2.    The kind of vaccine used and the date of the vaccination;

   3.    The year and serial number of the dog tag;

   4.    The breed, age, color and sex of the vaccinated dog; and

   5.    Such other information as the General Manager may require or such other information as may be required by State law.

   The veterinarian shall immediately present one copy of the rabies vaccination documentation to the owner of the vaccinated dog. A second copy shall be forwarded to the Department of Animal Services within five (5) calendar days after the end of the month in which the vaccination was administered, on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Department, including but not limited to electronic transmission or facsimile, consistent with State law. A copy of the certificate shall also be retained by the veterinarian.

SEC. 53.54. VACCINATION CERTIFICATES, PROOF OF STERILIZATION AND OTHER PROOF TO BE RETAINED BY OWNER.

   (Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 181,882, Eff. 10/30/11.)

   A copy of the vaccination certificate or other proof of vaccination and proof of sterilization or proof of exemption from sterilization, in a form acceptable to the Department, shall be retained by the owner or custodian of any dog and where applicable, for any cat, for inspection by the authorized representatives of the Department.

SEC. 53.55. DOGS ON BEACHES PROHIBITED – EXCEPTION.

   (Added by Ord. No. 123,426. Eff. 1/24/63.)

   (a)   Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code, no person shall take any dog upon any public beach in the City of Los Angeles, nor shall any person owning or having charge, care or control of any dog cause, permit or allow such dog to be upon any such beach.

   (b)   The provisions of this section shall not apply to dogs which have been especially trained for and are used as

   (1)   guide dogs for the blind,

   (2)   signal dogs for the hearing impaired and

   (3)   service dogs for persons with disabilities other than visual or hearing, while such dogs are being used for such purposes. (Amended by Ord. No. 170,442, Eff. 5/4/95.)

   (c)   (Deleted by Ord. No. 183,271, Eff. 11/14/14.)

SEC. 53.56. IMPORTED DOGS.

   Every person bringing any dog into the City shall comply with the laws, rules and regulations of the State of California and the City of Los Angeles relating to dogs. Any dog brought into the City which has not been vaccinated within thirty (30) months with an approved vaccine prior to importation shall be vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of this article within thirty (30) days after its arrival in the City. If the imported dog remains in the City for more than thirty (30) days, the dog shall be licensed in accordance with the provisions of this article. A certificate of vaccination issued by a duly licensed veterinarian from other jurisdiction for the specific dog, establishing vaccination with a vaccine approved by and in a manner prescribed by the State Department of Health, may be accepted by the Department of Animal Services as evidence of vaccination. (Amended by Ord. No. 150,337, Eff. 1/1/78.)