(a) No person may own or have custody of an unaltered dog over the age of four months if such owner or custodian has been found to have violated any State law or the County Code pertaining to the owner’s or custodian’s obligations regarding such dog. The owner or custodian in such circumstance must have the dog spayed or neutered or provide a certificate of sterility to the Health Officer or his or her designee (hereinafter referred to as the “Health Officer”).
(b) The owner or custodian of an unaltered dog is exempt from the requirements of § 32.1502(a) if:
(1) The dog is unable to be spayed or neutered without a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death due to age or infirmity. Written confirmation of that fact from a licensed veterinarian must be submitted by the owner or custodian to the Health Officer in order for this exemption to apply. The writing must also state the date by which the dog may be safely spayed or neutered.
(2) The dog is one of the following: a competition dog that has competed in at least one dog show or sporting competition sanctioned by a national registry within the last 365 calendar days or has earned a conformation, obedience, agility, carting, herding, protection, rally, sporting, working or other title from a purebred dog registry; a purebred dog, recognized by and registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), or other national registry; a dog used by a law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes; a qualified service or assistance dog as defined in Food and Agriculture § 30850; a dog used for breeding at a licensed breeding kennel as defined in § 32.0301; or a dog possessed by an owner or custodian who possesses a valid license pursuant to § 32.0111 or § 32.0112. The owner or custodian must provide sufficient written proof of such status of the dog in order for this exemption to apply.
(Ord. 4150, passed - -2011)