(a) A dog owner or custodian, except a tourist or visitor who stays less than 30 days in the unincorporated area of the County, shall apply for and obtain from the Department a dog license for the dog after the dog is four months old. The owner or custodian shall have a license for a dog by the time the dog is five months old or within 30 days after obtaining a dog four months or older or bringing a dog over four months old into the unincorporated area of the County. An attack dog, guard dog or sentry dog, however, shall not work in the unincorporated area of the County unless the dog has a current County license.
(b) A dog which the Department impounds pursuant to this chapter or other applicable law that does not have a valid dog license at the time scheduled for release, shall be presumed to be a dog which, prior to impounding, required a Department issued dog license, regardless of the dog's age or the owner or custodian's place of residence.
(c) If a dog owner or custodian presents a properly completed dog license application form to the Department, including proof that a rabies vaccination will be valid throughout the license period, and pays the proper license fee and if applicable, a late fee, the Department shall issue a dog license and with the initial license, a dog license tag. The dog owner or custodian shall retain the dog license for inspection by any person authorized to enforce this chapter.
(d) A license shall be valid for a term not to exceed the maximum immunity duration period specified for the canine rabies vaccine approved by the California Department of Health Services and shall be renewed prior to the expiration of the term by paying the current renewal fee.
(e) A dog owner or custodian shall securely affix the license tag to the collar or harness of the dog for which the license tag was issued and shall ensure that the dog wears the license tag at all times, except when the dog is being exhibited at a dog show.
(f) No person shall transfer or attach a license tag to a dog for which the license was not issued.
(g) No person other than the dog owner, custodian, licensed veterinarian or member of the Department shall remove a license tag from a collar or harness or remove the collar or harness bearing the tag from a dog.
(h) Whenever a license tag is lost or damaged, the dog owner or custodian shall immediately apply for and obtain a replacement license tag from the Department and shall pay the prescribed fee for the replacement tag.
(i) A person subject to subsection (a) shall renew a dog license before it expires for as long as the person is the owner or custodian of the dog. If renewal is not required, the owner or custodian shall notify the Department within 30 days after the license expiration date of the reason why the license does not need to be renewed.
(Amended by Ord. No. 7309 (N.S.), effective 7-2-87; amended by Ord. No. 7906 (N.S.), effective 6-20-91; repealed and added by Ord. No. 8211 (N.S.), effective 4-1-93; amended by Ord. No. 8353 (N.S.), effective 3-3-94; repealed and added by Ord. No. 8422 (N.S.), effective 8-11-94; repealed and readopted by Ord. No. 9098 (N.S.), effective 12-16-99; repealed and readopted by Ord. No. 9274 (N.S.), effective 12-15-00; repealed and readopted by Ord. No. 9420 (N.S.), effective 2-2-02; amended by Ord. No. 10036 (N.S.), effective 2-26-10)