Sec. 5-40. - Dog vaccination required—Prerequisite for license.

(a)

Every owner of a dog over four (4) months of age shall cause such dog to be vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine unless a veterinarian certifies that such dog should not be vaccinated for health reasons. Revaccination shall be made at such intervals of time as may be prescribed by the State Department of Health.

(b)

Compliance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of dog licenses under this article and no dog license shall be issued without presentation of a certificate of vaccination signed by a veterinarian showing one (1) of the following for the dog to be licensed:

(1)

That such dog has been vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine and the period of time from the date of vaccination to the date of expiration of the license being issued does not exceed the interval of time prescribed by the State Department of Health;

(2)

That such dog should not be vaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine because such vaccination may jeopardize the health of the dog due to infirmity or other disability.

Where a certificate of vaccination shows that a dog should not be vaccinated due to infirmity or other disability, the nature of the infirmity or other disability and the estimated date of termination thereof shall be shown on the face of the certificate to the satisfaction of the director.

(c)

Every veterinarian practicing veterinary medicine within the county shall submit to the director one (1) copy of each certificate of vaccination issued by the veterinarian for dogs subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. Copies of all such certificates shall be submitted on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the month following issuance.

(Ord. No. 4782 § 2, 1994.)

Sec. 5-41. - Dog license required—Exceptions.

No person shall own or keep any dog over four (4) months of age which has not been licensed pursuant to the provisions of this article, except:

(a)

A license shall not be required for any dog found within the unincorporated area of the county when its owner resides in any city within the county and such dog is wearing or has attached to it a valid license tag issued by such city.

(b)

A license shall not be required for any dog owned by a person who is a nonresident of the county and is traveling through the unincorporated area of the county or temporarily visiting therein for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days; provided, that such dog has been vaccinated consistent with the requirements of this article and its owner presents proof of such vaccination upon demand and further provided that such dog is confined on the premises of the person in charge of it while temporarily in the county.

(c)

A license shall not be required for any dog brought into the unincorporated area of the county and kept therein for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days for the exclusive purpose of entering the same in any show, exhibition, field trial or other competition or for breeding purposes; provided, that such dog has been vaccinated consistent with the requirements of this article and its owner presents proof of such vaccination upon demand and further provided that such dog is confined on the premises of the person in charge of it while in the county except when being groomed, trained, bred, shown, exhibited or in competition.

(d)

A license shall not be required for any dog having a valid license issued by a city within the county when its owner has within the preceding year moved his or her principal place of residence from such city to the unincorporated area of the county, provided that such city similarly exempts from license requirements any dog having a valid county license and owned by a person who has moved his or her principal place of residence from the unincorporated area of the county to such city within the same time period.

(Ord. No. 4782 § 3, 1994.)

Sec. 5-42. - Responsibility for issuance of license.

Pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30801) of Division 14 of the Food and Agriculture Code, the director is designated to issue dog licenses under this article.

(Ord. No. 4782 § 5, 1994.)

Sec. 5-43. - Application for license.

Application for a dog license shall be made in writing to the director by the owner of the dog to be licensed. Such application shall be on a form approved by the director and shall be accompanied by a license fee, the amount of which shall be established pursuant to Section 5-4. Such license fee shall be waived for assistance dogs owned and used by totally or partially blind persons, deaf or hearing impaired persons, or other disabled persons, and for dogs owned and used by police departments or law enforcement officers exclusively for police work if all other requirements for licensing under this article are met. Such license fee may include a reduced rate for spayed or neutered dogs and for dogs owned by persons sixty-two (62) years of age or older if all other requirements for licensing under this article are met. The director shall require such proof of qualification as the director deems necessary prior to waiving or reducing the license fee for any dog. If the owner of any dog fails to make application for a dog license within thirty (30) days after their dog is vaccinated for rabies, or receipt of notice from the director to obtain a license, such owner shall pay a penalty for late licensing, the amount of which shall be established pursuant to Section 5-4, in addition to the license fee required in this section.

(Ord. No. 5664 § 1(c), 2006: Ord. No. 4782 § 4, 1994: Ord. No. 4653 § 2(f), 1993.)

Sec. 5-44. - Action on application.

Upon receipt of an application for a dog license and presentation of a valid certificate of vaccination, the director shall register the dog in the records of the director and issue a dog license to the owner. The dog license shall consist of a receipt and a serially numbered metallic dog license tag stamped with an identifying number, the year of issue, the words "county of Sonoma," and such other information as the director may require.

Sec. 5-45. - Expiration and renewal of license.

Every dog license issued pursuant to this article shall be annual, expiring twelve (12) months following the date of rabies vaccination. The procedure for renewal of a dog license shall be the same as for obtaining an original license. If the owner of any dog fails to make application for the renewal of a dog license prior to its expiration, such owner shall pay a penalty for late renewal, the amount of which shall be established pursuant to Section 5-4, in addition to the license fee required in Section 5-43.

(Ord. No. 4591 § 1, 1992.)

Sec. 5-46. - Transfer of license—Notice of death or removal from unincorporated area.

If any dog licensed pursuant to this article is sold or transferred, the new owner shall apply to the director for a transfer of the dog license for such dog within thirty (30) days after the change in ownership. The procedure for transfer of a dog license shall be the same as for obtaining an original license. If any dog licensed pursuant to this article dies or is permanently removed from the unincorporated area of the county, the owner of such dog shall notify the director of the changed conditions in writing within thirty (30) days after such change.

Sec. 5-47. - Replacement of lost license tag.

In case the metallic dog license tag for any dog licensed pursuant to this article is lost or destroyed, a replacement tag for such dog shall be procured from the director within thirty (30) days after the loss or destruction. Upon receipt of an application and payment of a replacement fee, the amount of which shall be established pursuant to Section 5-4, the director shall issue a replacement metallic dog license tag to the owner.

Sec. 5-48. - License tag to be worn by dog—Exceptions.

The metallic dog license tag issued to any dog licensed pursuant to this article shall be securely affixed to a collar, harness or other device and shall be worn by such dog at all times during the license period, except when the dog is confined in a commercial kennel, pet fancier facility or veterinary facility, or is being exhibited at a show, exhibition, field trial or other competition.

(Ord. No. 4653 § 2 (g), 1993.)

Sec. 5-49. - Presentation of license upon request required.

Upon request of an animal regulation officer or any peace officer, the owner of any dog shall present the dog license for such dog to the officer for inspection.

Sec. 5-50. - Reporting of shooting or poisoning of dog required.

(a)

Any veterinarian or other person who observes, has knowledge of, or treats any dog which has been shot or poisoned within the unincorporated area of the county shall immediately report that fact to the director.

(b)

Any report of the shooting or poisoning of any dog pursuant to this section shall include the name of the owner of the dog, if known, or the name of the person or persons requesting treatment of such dog, if known.