Chapter 10.20 DOGS AND CATS*

Pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30801) of Divisions 14 and 14.5 of the Food and Agricultural Code, the director shall issue serially numbered permanent dog and cat license tags marked with the name of the county of Los Angeles. (Ord. 2000-0075 § 23, 2000: Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 85-0204 § 8, 1985: Ord. 9943 § 3, 1970: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 7829 § 3, 1960: Ord. 4729 Art. 4 § 401, 1946.)

10.20.011 License--Issuance by veterinarians and other qualified persons in unincorporated areas of the county--Conditions.

The director may authorize the issuance of dog and cat licenses, as required by Section 10.20.010, by persons practicing veterinary medicine in the unincorporated territory of Los Angeles County, or other persons approved by the director who meet the qualifications established by the department. Said persons shall transmit records and negotiable papers to the department of animal care and control at intervals as established by the director, and shall collect and transmit to the director the fees required by this chapter for the issuance of such licenses. The director may reimburse these businesses for such fees. (Ord. 2000-0075 § 24, 2000: Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 90-0089 § 5, 1990: Ord. 85-0204 § 9, 1985: Ord. 82-0163 § 2, 1982.)

Every person owning or having custody or control of any dog or cat over the age of four months in the unincorporated territory of the county of Los Angeles shall obtain an annual license from the director for each dog and cat and shall pay the fee for the licenses including delinquency charges and field enforcement fees as set forth in Sections 10.20.130 and 10.90.010. The owner or custodian of an animal found unlicensed by a department employee in the field will be charged a field enforcement fee. (Ord. 2009-0043 § 9, 2009; Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 90-0137 § 11, 1990.)

A reduced fee, as set out in Section 10.90.010, shall be charged to persons presenting proof of and qualifying for senior citizen status. For purposes of this section, persons over 60 years of age qualify for senior citizen status. This reduced fee shall apply only to persons whose dogs have been spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian and can present a certificate of such sterilization. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 90-0137 § 12, 1990: Ord. 87-0036 § 8, 1987.)

A. Dogs. Up to three dogs may be kept at any residence without an animal facility license, provided the dogs' owner or custodian licenses each individual dog and complies with the Mandatory Spay and Neuter Program for Dogs, 10.20.350 et seq. For purposes of this section, a service dog licensed under Section 10.20.090, is not counted toward the number of dogs kept or maintained, while such dog is serving a person who is disabled within the meaning of Government Code Section 12926(i) or Government Code Section 12926(k).
B. Cats. Up to five cats may be kept at any residence without an animal facility license, provided the cats' owner or custodian licenses each individual cat, has each cat spayed or neutered and keeps all cats primarily indoors. (Ord. 2009-0043 § 10, 2009.)

A person who is a hobby breeder as defined in Section 10.08.155, shall obtain a hobby breeding license in the amount set forth in Section 10.90.010. Each license shall authorize the birth of no more than one litter per female dog or cat in any 12-month period and no more than one litter per domestic household in any 12-month period. Breeding in excess of that authorized under this Section requires a breeding facility license (See 10.08.065 and 10.40.200 et seq.) and may result in further penalties. (Ord. 2009-0043 § 12, 2009; Ord. 2004-0036 § 7, 2004: Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 90-0137 § 13, 1990: Ord. 88-0155 § 6, 1988: Ord. 87-0036 § 9, 1987: Ord. 85-0204 § 25, 1985.)

A. The provisions of this Division 1 do not require either a tag or a license for:
1. Any dog or cat found within the unincorporated territory of the county when the owner thereof resides in any municipality within the county, and such dog or cat is wearing or has attached to it a license tag for the current year issued by such municipality;
2. Any dog or cat owned by or in the charge of any person who is a nonresident of the county and is traveling through the county or temporarily sojourning therein for a period of not exceeding 30 days;
3. Any dog or cat brought into the county and kept therein for not to exceed 30 days for the exclusive purpose of entering the same in any bench show, or dog or cat exhibition, or field trials or competition;
4. Any dog or cat brought or sent into the unincorporated territory of the county from any point outside thereof for the exclusive purpose of receiving veterinary care in any dog or cat hospital, in the event that such dog or cat is kept at all times strictly confined within such hospital;
5. Any dog or cat wearing or having attached to it a license tag for the current year issued by a municipality within the county when the owner thereof has, within one year last past, moved his principal place of residence from such municipality to the unincorporated territory of the county; provided, that such municipality similarly exempts from tag and license requirements dogs or cat wearing current county license tags and owned by persons who have moved from the unincorporated territory of the county to such municipality.
B. Except, that each guard dog found within the unincorporated territory of the county, regardless of where the owner may reside, must have a Los Angeles County dog license; and the license tag must be securely affixed to the dog’s collar while it is being used as a guard dog within the unincorporated territory of the county of Los Angeles. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 11135 § 1, 1975; Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 8043 § 4 (part), 1961: Ord. 4729 Art. 4 § 407, 1946.)

The director may accept the payment of the fee for a license tag and a license for a dog or cat who has not been vaccinated as required by Division 1 on condition that the owner of such dog or cat, within five days thereafter, have such dog or cat vaccinated and submit the required veterinarian’s certificate to the director. Upon receipt of such certificate, the director shall issue the license tag and license. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 9943 § 6, 1970: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 8043 § 5, 1961; Ord. 4729 Art. 4 § 408, 1946.)

10.20.070 Unvaccinated dogs or cat--Time limit for vaccination when dog or cat is disabled.

10.20.080 License and license tag--Period of validity--Dogs discharged from military service.

Each license and each dog license tag provided for in this chapter for a dog which has been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States shall be of indefinite duration, so long as the same individual owns or harbors the same dog. The fee shall be that specified in Chapter 10.90. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 88-0155 § 2, 1988: Ord. 11177 § 1, 1975: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 4 § 404, 1946.)

10.20.090 Service dog defined--License and license tag--Requirements--Period of validity.

A. “Service Dog” is a guide dog or seeing-eye dog which was trained by a person licensed under Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 7200) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, a signal dog or other dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair or fetching dropped items.
B. Every person owning or having custody or control of a dog over the age of four months, who submits proof to the director that such dog has been successfully trained as a service dog as defined above in subsection A, shall procure a service dog license and a service dog license tag, which license and tag shall be valid while the dog is acting as a service dog, and is owned and kept by the same person. The tag shall be returned to the Department by the owner or keeper of the dog upon transfer of ownership or possession of the dog, or upon the retirement or death of the dog. (Ord. 2004-0049 §§ 2, 3, 2004.)

Pursuant to Section 30804.5 of the Food and Agricultural Code, any dog or cat license tag issued pursuant to Section 10.20.030 of this Part 1 shall be issued for one-half or less of the fee required if a certificate is presented from a licensed veterinarian that the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 11364 § 1 (part), 1976: Ord. 10961 § 2, 1974: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4787 § 1, 1946: Ord. 4729 Art. 4 § 421, 1946.)

A. The license fees provided for in this chapter shall be paid annually to the director in the amount set forth in Section 10.90.010.
B. A delinquency charge as provided in Section 10.90.010 shall be assessed when the license fees provided for in this chapter are not paid within ten days after the expiration date or the date the license is required to be obtained by the provisions of this title. (Ord. 2009-0043 § 13, 2009; Ord. 90-0137 § 15, 1990: Ord. 88-0155 § 7, 1988: Ord. 83-0182 § 5, 1983: Ord. 82-0163 § 3, 1982: Ord. 11945 § 2, 1979: Ord. 9943 § 4, 1970: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 4 § 405, 1946.)

The director shall procure the number of license receipts and dog or cat license tags needed each year, and shall keep a register wherein shall be entered the name and address of each person to whom any dog or cat license tag is issued, the number of such tag, the date of issuance thereof and a description of the dog or cat for which issued. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 9943 § 5, 1970: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 8043 § 4 (part), 1961: Ord. 4729 Art. 4 § 406, 1946.)

The director shall not issue a dog or cat license unless the applicant exhibits a certificate signed by a veterinarian, licensed either by the state of California or by any other state to practice veterinary medicine, that:
A. The period elapsing from the date of vaccination with approved rabies vaccine to the date of expiration of the license being issued does not exceed the time as established by the state; or
B. Such dog or cat should not be vaccinated with rabies vaccine because such vaccination would jeopardize the health of such dog or cat due to infirmity or other disability, which infirmity or other disability, and the estimated date of termination thereof, is shown on the face of the certificate to the satisfaction of the director. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 85-0204 § 10, 1985: Ord. 83-0182 § 6, 1983: Ord. 10374 § 1, 1971; Ord. 10298 § 2, 1971: Ord. 9943 § 8, 1970: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 4 § 412, 1946.)

If, during a license period, a dog or cat is sold or title to the dog or cat is otherwise transferred to a new owner, such new owner may apply to the director for a transfer of such dog’s or cat’s tag and license and pay a transfer fee as specified under Chapter 10.90. Upon receipt of such application and fee, the director shall record the name and address of the new owner. (Ord. 2000-0075 § 26, 2000: Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 83-0182 § 7, 1983: Ord. 9943 § 11, 1970: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 4 § 419, 1946.)

In case any license tag for an individual dog or cat is lost or destroyed, a duplicate thereof may be procured from the director upon the submission to the director of such proof as he may require and upon the payment therefor as specified under Chapter 10.90. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 83-0182 § 8, 1983: Ord. 9943 § 10, 1970: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 6189 § 1, 1953: Ord. 4729 Art. 4 § 416, 1946.)

A license tag for an individual dog or cat shall be securely affixed to a collar, harness or other device which shall at all times be worn by such dog or cat except while such dog or cat remains indoors or in any enclosed yard or pen. Alternatively, a cat may wear any form of identification approved under Chapter 10.90. (Ord. 2000-0075 § 27, 2000: Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 4 § 415, 1946.)

A person shall not attach to or keep upon any dog or cat, or cause or permit to be attached to or kept upon any dog or cat, any tag provided for in Section 10.20.010 of this chapter except a tag issued for such dog or cat under the provisions of this chapter, or attach or keep upon or cause or permit to be attached to or kept upon any dog or cat, or make or cause or permit to be made or have in possession, any counterfeit or imitation of any tag provided for in this chapter. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 4 § 418, 1946.)

As a condition to the sale or giving away of any cat that has not been spayed or neutered, the purchaser or recipient shall deposit with the department of animal care and control, at the time of the sale or giving away, an amount determined by the director to be sufficient to cover the costs of neutering or spaying the cat, but in no event shall such deposit exceed $30.00. Such deposit is to be paid to a licensed veterinarian upon proof that he has performed the required neutering or spaying operation within the time period as set forth in Section 10.20.214, and may include an amount necessary to recover any additional costs to the department under this chapter. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993.)

Whenever a cat has been spayed or neutered as provided herein, the depositor shall be entitled to have the deposit paid to the licensed veterinarian performing the above operation, or the director may return the deposit to the person purchasing or receiving the cat upon written statement or receipt from the licensed veterinarian that the cat has been spayed or neutered, and the director shall draw the necessary demand on the auditor therefor. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993.)

10.20.214 Spaying or neutering--Deposit forfeited without proof of operation--Conditions.

Any cat over six months of age at the time it is sold or given away shall be spayed or neutered within 60 days, or the deposit shall be deemed forfeited. Any cat under six months of age at the time it is sold or given away shall be spayed or neutered within 60 days after reaching the age of six months or the deposit shall be deemed forfeited. The director may extend such time periods in writing upon the showing of good cause therefor. The age of the cat for purposes of this chapter shall be determined by the department. At least 30 days before the end of the said 60-day period, or any written extensions thereof, the department shall send the purchaser notice by mail to the address on file with the department, informing the purchaser that failure to furnish satisfactory proof of performance of the operation prior to the end of the 60-day period or its extension shall result in forfeiture of the deposit. If the notice has been sent and the allotted time has elapsed without satisfactory proof of performance of the operation, the deposit shall be forfeited and the director shall transfer such money from the trust fund to the county treasury. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993.)

Whenever any cat which has been purchased from the department of animal care and control, while it was under the age of six months, dies or is destroyed prior to being spayed or neutered as required in this chapter, the purchaser shall be entitled to a refund upon presenting satisfactory proof to the director of such death or destruction, and the director shall draw the necessary demand on the auditor therefor. No refund shall be made, however, where death or destruction occurs following the time within which the aforementioned operation was required to be performed. (Ord. 93-0002 § 2 (part), 1993.)

A. Every person keeping, harboring, or having any dog or cat over four months of age in the unincorporated territory shall cause such dog or cat to be vaccinated with rabies vaccine, by a person licensed by the state of California, or other state, to practice veterinary medicine, on or before the latest of the following dates:
1. 15 days after first acquiring such dog or cat;
2. 15 days after bringing such dog or cat into the unincorporated territory of the county of Los Angeles.
B. No person shall cause a dog or cat under the age of four months to be vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine unless a veterinarian licensed by the state of California, or other state, determines that such vaccination is required to preserve the health or prevent the disability of such dog or cat. (Ord. 93-0002 § 3 (part), 1993: Ord. 88-0025 § 1, 1988: Ord. 87-0036 § 10, 1987: Ord. 83-0182 § 9, 1983: Ord. 10298 § 3, 1971: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 5 § 501, 1946.)

Every person keeping, harboring, or having a dog or cat in the unincorporated territory of the county which has been vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine shall cause such dog or cat to be revaccinated within a period of not more than:
A. 12 months after the dog’s or cat’s initial vaccination if the dog or cat was between four months and one year in age at the time of such vaccination;
B. 36 months after each prior vaccination. (Ord. 93-0002 § 3 (part), 1993: Ord. 87-0036 § 11, 1987: Ord. 85-0204 § 12, 1985: Ord. 10298 § 4, 1971: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 5 § 502, 1946.)

Every person practicing veterinary medicine in the unincorporated territory of the county of Los Angeles who vaccinates a dog or cat with rabies vaccine shall immediately issue to the person to whom he delivers the dog or cat the original, and monthly to the director a duplicate, of a certificate signed by the veterinarian which states:
A. The name and address of the owner or harborer of the vaccinated dogs or cats;
B. The kind of vaccine used, the name of the manufacturer and the manufacturer’s serial or lot number, and the date of the vaccinations;
C. The breed, age, color and sex of the vaccinated dogs or cats. (Ord. 93-0002 § 3 (part), 1993: Ord. 85-0204 § 13, 1985: Ord. 82-0163 § 4, 1982: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 5 § 504, 1946.)

The director may direct department personnel to provide or assist at low-cost vaccination clinics operated by veterinary associations as an adjunct to clinics operated by the department. The director may charge for the services of county personnel at low-cost vaccination clinics operated by veterinary associations. This charge shall not include the time actually spent in the issuance of licenses. Rates shall be those established by the county auditor-controller. (Ord. 2000-0075 § 31, 2000: Ord. 93-0002 § 3 (part), 1993: Ord. 82-0239 § 1, 1982: Ord. 82-0163 § 5, 1982.)

Every business establishment that uses a dog or dogs to work without supervision to deter and protect the business from unauthorized persons entering said business, is required to obtain a business license under this part, other than sentry dog companies having dogs registered pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 121910. Businesses registered under Health and Safety Code Section 121910 are also required to obtain an animal facility license under Section 10.28.060. (Ord. 2009-0017 § 7, 2009: Ord. 11630 § 1 (part), 1978: Ord. 4729 Art. 13 § 1300, 1946.)

Prior to the licensing of a dog, and business subject to this Part 3, the county shall inspect the business establishment premises so as to assure the adequate housing and care of the dog. The inspection fee set forth in Section 10.90.010.II.C.3 shall be paid annually upon inspection. (Ord. 2009-0017 § 9, 2009: Ord. 93-0002 § 4, 1993: Ord. 92-0056 § 2, 1992: Ord. 87-0036 § 12, 1987: Ord. 11630 § 1 (part), 1978: Ord. 4729 Art. 13 § 1304, 1946.)

The license issued to a business subject to this Part 3 shall include the following information:
A. The name, address and telephone number of both the business establishment and the dog's responsible owner or handler;
B. The name of the dog;
C. The license identification number of the dog;
D. The time at which the owner or handler shall inspect the dog's physical condition, its surroundings, and to assure its food and water supply are adequate. Said inspection shall be twice in any 24-hour period, with each inspection no more than 15 hours from the previous inspection. (Ord. 2009-0017 § 10, 2009: Ord. 11630 § 1 (part), 1978: Ord. 4729 Art. 13 § 1302, 1946.)

Clear and legible signs shall be posted at each of the entrances to the business establishment having dogs licensed pursuant to this Part 3, which shall state that the dog and the business are licensed with the Los Angeles County department of animal care and control and the location and telephone number of the nearest county animal shelter. (Ord. 2009-0017 § 11, 2009: Ord. 11630 § 1 (part), 1978: Ord. 4729 Art. 13 § 1303, 1946.)

A. No person may own, keep, or harbor a dog over the age of four months in violation of this section. An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog must have the dog spayed or neutered or obtain an unaltered dog license in accordance with Section 10.20.355.
B. The owner or custodian of a dog which is unable to be spayed or neutered without a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death due to age or infirmity, must obtain written confirmation of that fact from a licensed veterinarian. The writing must also state the date by which the dog may be safely spayed or neutered. If the dog is unable to be spayed or neutered within 30 days, the owner or custodian must apply for an unaltered dog license. (Ord. 2006-0029 § 5 (part), 2006.)

An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog over the age of four months must obtain an annual unaltered dog license for the dog. The license shall be issued if the department has determined that all of the following conditions are met:
A. The dog is one of the following: a competition dog as defined in Section 10.08.095; a dog used by a law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes; a qualified service or assistance dog as defined in Section 10.20.090; or a dog which is unable to be spayed or neutered as set forth in Section 10.20.350 B;
B. The owner or custodian has submitted the required application and has paid the fee set forth in Section 10.90.010(VI)(A); and
C. The unaltered dog will be maintained in accordance with the provisions of Los Angeles County Code Section 10.40.010, and with applicable state animal care and control laws. (Ord. 2006-0029 § 5 (part), 2006.)

10.20.360 Denial or revocation of unaltered dog license--Grounds and re-application.

A. The department may deny or revoke an unaltered dog license for one or more of the following reasons:
1. The applicant or licensee is not in compliance with all of the requirements of Section 10.20.355;
2. The department has received at least one complaint, verified by the complainant under penalty of perjury, that the applicant or licensee has allowed a dog to run loose or escape, or has otherwise been found to be neglectful of his or her dog or other animals;
3. The applicant or licensee has been previously cited for violating a state law, county code or other municipal provision relating to the care and control of animals;
4. The unaltered dog has been adjudicated by a court or an agency of appropriate jurisdiction to be a potentially dangerous or vicious dog, or to be a nuisance within the meaning of the Los Angeles County Code or under state law;
5. Any unaltered dog license held by the applicant has been revoked;
6. A female unaltered dog has had more than one litter per year, or five or more litters in her lifetime; or
7. The license application is discovered to contain a material misrepresentation of fact.
B. Re-application for unaltered dog license:
1. When an unaltered dog license is denied, the applicant may re-apply for a license upon a showing that the requirements of Section 10.20.355 have been met. The department shall refund one-half of the license fee when an application is denied. The applicant shall pay the full fee upon re-application.
2. When an unaltered dog license is revoked, the owner or custodian of the dog may apply for a new license after a thirty-day waiting period upon a showing that the requirements of Section 10.20.355 have been met. No part of an unaltered dog license fee is refundable when a license is revoked and the applicant shall pay the full fee upon re-application. (Ord. 2006-0029 § 5 (part), 2006.)

A. Request for hearing.
1. Notice of intent to deny or revoke. The department shall mail to the owner or custodian a written notice of its intent to deny or revoke the license for an unaltered dog which includes the reason(s) for the denial or revocation. The owner or custodian may request a hearing to appeal the denial or revocation. The request must be made in writing within ten days after the notice of intent to deny or revoke is mailed. Failure to submit a timely written hearing request shall be deemed a waiver of the right to appeal the license denial or revocation.
2. Hearing officer. The hearing shall be conducted by the director’s designee.
3. Notice and conduct of hearing. The department shall mail a written notice of the date, time, and place for the hearing not less than ten days before the hearing date. The hearing date shall be no more than thirty days after the department’s receipt of the request for a hearing. Failure of the owner or custodian or his or her agent to appear at the hearing will result in forfeiture of the right to a hearing. The hearing will be informal and the rules of evidence will not be strictly observed. The department shall mail a written decision to the owner or custodian within ten days after the hearing. The decision of the hearing officer shall be the final administrative decision.
B. Change in location of dog. If the dog is moved after the department has issued a letter of intent to deny or revoke, but has not yet denied or revoked the license, the owner or custodian must provide the department with information as to the dog’s whereabouts, including the current owner or custodian’s name, address, and telephone number. (Ord. 2006-0029 § 5 (part), 2006.)

A. Offer for sale or transfer of unaltered dog: An owner or custodian who offers any unaltered dog for sale, trade, or adoption must include a valid unaltered dog license number with the offer of sale, trade or adoption, or otherwise state and establish compliance with Section 10.20.350. The license and microchip numbers must appear on a document transferring the dog to the new owner.
B. Transfer of unaltered dog: The owner or custodian of an unaltered dog over the age of four months, which is not a competition dog as defined in Section 10.08.095, must demonstrate compliance with Section 10.20.350 and 10.20.185 prior to the transfer, and must notify the department of the name and address of the transferee within ten days after the transfer.
C. Notification of litter and sale or transfer of puppies: Within thirty days after a litter is born to a female dog, the owner or custodian of the female dog shall advise the department in writing of the number of live born puppies. When a puppy under the age of four months is sold or otherwise transferred to another person, the owner or custodian shall advise the department of the name and address of the new owner or custodian, and the microchip number of the puppy, if applicable, within ten days after the transfer. (Ord. 2006-0029 § 5 (part), 2006.)

The penalties for violations of any provision of this part are as follows:
A. First violation. A first violation shall be an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. If the owner or custodian fails to correct the underlying cause of the violation within 30 days after being notified of the violation, it shall be deemed a second violation.
B. Second violation. A violation within a year of a first violation shall be deemed a second violation. A second violation is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed six months or by a fine not to exceed $1,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each subsequent violation within one year shall be considered an additional misdemeanor. (Ord. 2006-0029 § 5 (part), 2006.)

A. When an unaltered dog is impounded, the owner or custodian may reclaim the unaltered dog when one of the following occurs:
1. The dog is spayed or neutered by a department veterinarian at the expense of the owner or custodian. Such expense may include additional fees due to extraordinary care required;
2. The dog is spayed or neutered by another department approved veterinarian. The owner or custodian may arrange for another department approved veterinarian to spay or neuter the dog, and shall pay to the department the cost to deliver the dog to the chosen veterinarian. The cost to deliver the dog shall be based on the department’s hourly rate established by the Auditor-Controller, billed in minimum one hour increments. The veterinarian shall complete and return to the department within ten days, a statement confirming that the dog has been spayed or neutered and shall release the dog to the owner or custodian only after the spay or neuter procedure is complete; or,
3. At the discretion of the director, the dog may be released to the owner or custodian if he or she signs a statement under penalty of perjury, representing that the dog will be spayed or neutered and that he or she will submit a statement within ten days, signed by the veterinarian, confirming that the dog has been spayed or neutered.
4. If the owner or custodian demonstrates compliance with Section 10.20.350.
B. Costs of Impoundment.
1. The owner or custodian of the unaltered dog shall be responsible for the costs of impoundment, which shall include daily board costs.
2. The costs of impoundment shall be a lien on the dog, and the unaltered dog shall not be returned to its owner or custodian until the costs are paid. If the owner or custodian of an impounded unaltered dog does not pay the lien against the dog in full within fourteen days, the dog shall be deemed abandoned to the department in accordance with Section 10.36.310. (Ord. 2006-0029 § 5 (part), 2006.)