Los Angeles County, California

10.20.350 – Mandatory Spaying or Neutering of Dogs and Cats.

A. A person may not own, keep, or harbor a dog or cat four months or older in violation of this section. An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog or cat must have the dog or cat spayed or neutered or obtain an unaltered dog or cat license in accordance with Section 10.20.355 or Section 10.20.357.

B. The owner or custodian of a dog or cat that cannot be spayed or neutered without a likelihood of serious bodily harm or death due to age or illness must obtain written confirmation from a licensed veterinarian. The confirmation must also state when the dog or cat may be safely spayed or neutered. If the dog or cat cannot be spayed or neutered within 30 days of the issuance of the written confirmation of a likelihood of serious bodily harm or death, the owner or custodian must apply for an unaltered dog or cat license.

10.20.355 – Unaltered Dog License—Requirements.

An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog four months or older must obtain an annual unaltered dog license. The license will be issued if the Director 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 10.08.085(A); 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 for the reasons stated in Section 10.20.350(B);

B. The owner or custodian has submitted the required application and has paid the fee in Section 10.90.010; and

C. The unaltered dog will be maintained as required by the Los Angeles County Code and applicable state animal care and control laws.

D. The Director may issue an unaltered dog license for a dog that does not meet the exception in Section 10.20.355, to allow the owner to demonstrate compliance with this section. During that year the owner or custodian must have the dog spayed or neutered, or apply for and be granted an unaltered dog license.

10.20.357 – Unaltered Cat License—Requirements.

An owner or custodian of an unaltered cat four months or older must obtain an annual unaltered cat license. The license will be issued if the Director has determined that all of the following conditions are met:

A. The cat is one of the following: a competition cat as defined in Section 10.08.085(B) or a cat which is unable to be spayed or neutered for the reasons stated in Section 10.20.350(B);

B. The owner or custodian has submitted the required application and has paid the fee required by Section 10.90.010;

C. The unaltered cat will be maintained as required by the Los Angeles County Code and applicable state animal care and control laws; and

D. The unaltered cat will be kept indoors or in an outdoor enclosure that prevents other cats from entering.

E. The Director may issue an unaltered cat license for a cat that does not meet the exception in Section 10.20.357, to allow the owner to demonstrate compliance with this section. During that year the owner or custodian must have the cat spayed or neutered, or apply for and be granted an unaltered cat license.

10.20.360 – Denial or Revocation of Unaltered Dog or Cat License—Grounds and Re-application.

A. The Director may deny or revoke an unaltered dog or cat license for any of the following reasons:

1. The applicant or licensee has not complied with the requirements of Section 10.20.355 or Section 10.20.357;

2. The Department has received at least one complaint, signed under penalty of perjury, stating that the applicant, custodian, or licensee of an unaltered dog or cat has allowed it to run loose or escape, or has neglected it or another animal;

3. The applicant or licensee has been cited for violating a state law, county code, or municipal code relating to the care and control of animals;

4. A court or an agency of appropriate jurisdiction has determined that the dog or cat is a nuisance, or that the dog is a potentially dangerous dog or a vicious dog, under a state law, county code, or municipal code;

5. Another unaltered dog or cat license held by the applicant has been revoked;

6. An unaltered female dog or cat has had more than one litter per year, or five or more litters in her lifetime; or

7. The license application contains a material misrepresentation of fact.

B. Re-application for unaltered dog or cat license:

1. When an unaltered dog or cat license is denied, the applicant may re-apply for a license if the requirements of Section 10.20.355 or Section 10.20.357 have been met. The Director will refund one-half of the license fee when an application is denied. The applicant must pay the full fee upon re-application.

2. When an unaltered dog or cat license is revoked, the owner or custodian of the dog or cat may apply for a new license after 30 days if the requirements of Section 10.20.355 or Section 10.20.357 have been met. No part of an unaltered dog or cat license fee is refundable when a license is revoked. The applicant must pay the full fee upon re-application.

10.20.365 – Appeal of Denial or Revocation of Unaltered Dog or Cat License.

A. Notice and request for hearing. The Director will mail a written notice to the owner or custodian of the Director’s intent to deny or revoke the unaltered dog or cat license stating the reason(s) for the denial or revocation. The owner or custodian may request a hearing to appeal the denial or revocation. The request to appeal must be made in writing within 10 days after the notice of intent to deny or revoke is mailed. An owner or custodian waives the right to appeal if he or she does not mail or deliver a written request to appeal to the Director within 10 days after the notice of intent is mailed.

B. Notice and conduct of hearing. The Director will mail a written notice of the date, time, and place for the hearing to the owner or custodian at least 10 days before the hearing date. The hearing will be conducted by the Director’s designee. The hearing will take place within 30 days after the department receives the request for a hearing. An owner or custodian who does not appear at the hearing waives the right to a hearing. The hearing will be informal and the rules of evidence will not be strictly observed. The Director will mail a written decision to the owner or custodian within 10 days after the hearing. The decision of the hearing officer is the final administrative decision.

10.20.370 – Transfer, Sale and Breeding of Unaltered Dog or Cat.

A. Offer to transfer, sell, or breed unaltered dog or cat. An owner or custodian who offers an unaltered dog or cat for transfer, sale or breeding must include a valid unaltered dog or cat license number with the offer or otherwise confirm compliance with Section 10.20.350.

B. Transfer of unaltered dog or cat. The owner or custodian of an unaltered dog or cat four months or older, which is not a competition dog or cat as defined in Section 10.08.085, must demonstrate to the Department 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 10 days after the transfer. The license and microchip numbers must appear on a document transferring the dog or cat to the new owner.

C. Notification of litter and sale or transfer of puppies and kittens. Within 30 days after a litter is born to a female dog or cat, the owner or custodian of the female dog or cat must advise the Department in writing of the number of live born puppies or kittens. When a puppy or kitten younger than four months is sold or otherwise transferred to another person, the owner or custodian must advise the Department of the name and address of the new owner or custodian, and the microchip number of the puppy or kitten, if applicable, within 10 days after the transfer.

10.20.375 – Penalties.

A. First violation. A first violation is an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $250. If the owner or custodian fails to correct the cause of the violation within 30 days after being notified of the violation, it is deemed a second violation.

B. Second violation. A violation within a year of a first violation is a second violation. A second violation is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of up to six months or by a fine of up to $1,000, or by both a fine and imprisonment. Each subsequent violation within one year is an additional misdemeanor.

10.20.380 – Impoundment of Unaltered Dog or Cat.

A. The owner or custodian of an impounded unaltered dog or cat may reclaim the unaltered dog or cat if:

1. The dog or cat is spayed or neutered by a Department veterinarian at the owner or custodian’s expense; or

2. The dog or cat is spayed or neutered by another Director-approved veterinarian at the owner or custodian’s expense. The owner or custodian must pay the Department’s transportation costs to deliver the dog to the chosen veterinarian. The veterinarian must sign and return a certificate of sterility to the Department within 10 days after the surgery; or

3. At the discretion of the Director, the owner or custodian agrees to have the dog or cat altered and to submit a certificate of sterility signed by a veterinarian within 10 days after the surgery; or

4. The owner or custodian otherwise demonstrates compliance with Section 10.20.350.

B. Costs of Impoundment.

1. The owner or custodian of an unaltered dog or cat will be charged for the costs of impoundment, including daily board and care costs.

2. The costs of impoundment are a lien on the dog or cat. The dog or cat will not be returned to its owner or custodian until the costs are paid. The dog or cat will be deemed abandoned if the owner or custodian does not pay the lien amount within 14 days after the notice of the lien is personally delivered or mailed to the owner or custodian.