Perris, California

Sec. 8.02.010. – Mandatory dog licensing and vaccination.

(a) Except as provided in section 8.02.050(a), it is unlawful for any person to own, harbor, or keep any dog, four months of age or older, within the city, for a period longer than 30 days, unless a currently valid license tag has been issued by the senior animal control officer or their designee or any agency authorized by the city for such purpose and the tag is displayed upon the dog’s collar pursuant to section 30951(b) of the California Food and Agriculture Code.

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(f) Subject to the provisions of this section, licenses shall be issued upon payment of the appropriate fees as set forth by resolution of the city council for the following classifications of dog or cat as appropriate:

(1) License valid for one year from date of issuance for each sterile dog, accompanied by a certificate signed by a veterinarian certifying that said dog is permanently unable to reproduce.

(2) License valid for one year from date of issuance, for each dog to which the provisions of subsections 8.02.010 (f)(1) and (7) of this chapter are not applicable. Except for animals owned by recognized dog or cat breeders, as defined by the City of Perris’ policy.

(3) License valid for two years from date of issuance for each sterile dog, accompanied by a certificate signed by a veterinarian certifying that said dog is permanently unable to reproduce.

(4) License valid for two years from date of issuance for each dog to which the provisions of subsections 8.02.010 (f)(3) and (8) of this chapter are not applicable. Except for animals owned by recognized dog or cat breeders, as defined by the City of Perris policy.

(5) License valid for three years from date of issuance for each sterile dog, accompanied by a certificate signed by a veterinarian certifying that said dog is permanently unable to reproduce.

(6) License valid for three years from the date of issuance for each dog to which the provisions of subsections 8.02.010 (f)(5) and (9) of this chapter are not applicable. Except for animals owned by recognized dog or cat breeders, as defined by the City of Perris policy.

(7) License valid for one year from the date of issuance for each sterile dog, which is owned by a person 60 years of age or older, and is accompanied by a certificate signed by a veterinarian certifying that said dog is permanently unable to reproduce.

(8) License valid for two years from the date of issuance for each sterile dog, which is owned by a person 60 years of age or older, and is accompanied by a certificate signed by a veterinarian certifying that said dog is permanently unable to reproduce.

(9) License valid for three years from the date of issuance for each sterile dog, which is owned by a person 60 years of age or older, and is accompanied by a certificate signed by a veterinarian certifying that said dog is permanently unable to reproduce.

Sec. 8.02.020. – Control of unspayed and unaltered cats.

It is unlawful for any person who owns, harbors or keeps any unspayed or unaltered cat four months of age or older within the city to allow or permit such unspayed or unaltered cat to be or remain outdoors.

Sec. 8.02.080. – Impounded dogs and cats and service fees.

(a) An impounded dog or cat may be redeemed upon payment of the following fees:

(1) The senior animal control officer or their designee shall charge and collect from each person redeeming an unaltered impounded animal a state mandated unaltered animal fine for the first offense, for the second offense, or for the third offense, plus the actual costs of transporting the animal to impound, the actual costs of veterinary and related services rendered to the animal while impounded, the actual costs of sale incurred, and the actual costs of any extraordinary measures required in or for the handling and maintenance of the animal while impounded. The state mandated unaltered animal fine shall be based on that amount as established by the state and shall be adjusted on July 1st of each calendar year as appropriate.

(2) The senior animal control officer or their designee shall charge and collect from each person redeeming an altered impounded animal an impounding fee for the first offense, second offense, or third offense as set forth by the City of Perris, plus the actual costs of transporting the animal to impound, the actual costs of veterinary and related services rendered to the animal while impounded, the actual costs of sale incurred, boarding fees, and the actual costs of any extraordinary measures required in or for the handling and maintenance of the animal while impounded.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, where a sterile dog or sterile cat belonging to a person 60 years of age or older is impounded and the owner produces a certificate, signed by a veterinarian that such animal is permanently unable to reproduce, the base impoundment fee for such animal shall be 50 percent of the applicable impoundment fee specified in this chapter plus boarding fees.

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(q) The fee for adopting any unredeemed, impounded dog or cat is a flat-rate fee that includes vaccinations, deworming, spaying or neutering, and adoption charges. The adoption fee shall be as established by the City of Perris for any cat or dog. For senior citizens 60 years of age or older, the adoption fee shall be one-half the adoption fee as established by the City of Perris for any cat or dog. To eliminate the euthanasia of adoptable dogs and cats, the senior animal control officer or their designee shall have the discretion to decrease or entirely waive the adoption fees for last-chance-adoptions, which are adoptions of urgent animals scheduled for euthanasia. The senior animal control officer or their designee shall have the discretion to decrease the adoption fees of animals adopted at a special event promoting the adoption of impounded animals, to one-third the adoption fee as set forth by the City of Perris for any cat or dog. The senior animal control officer or their designee or his designee shall also have the discretion to waive 25 percent of the flat-rate adoption fee if the animal is adopted by the foster care provider currently providing care for the animal or an employee of the City of Perris.

Sec. 8.02.090. – Findings related to mandatory spaying and neutering.

(a) Because of the increased urbanization of City of Perris, the City has experienced increasing numbers of residents with dogs.

(b) In an attempt to bring this problem under control, it is necessary to: (1) increase the total number of animals which are licensed and thus properly established to have been vaccinated against rabies; (2) encourage the spaying and neutering of animals, which (a) reduces the number of strays at large and not safely confined, (b) reduce aggressiveness and animals at large, and (c) reduces the financial cost to taxpayers of animal control services; and (3) establish a warning and hearing procedure to put the owners of potentially dangerous, dangerous dogs and other animals on adequate notice to control such animals and to bring about the confinement of such animals and the destruction of those animals where other lesser measures have failed or are inappropriate.

Sec. 8.02.100. – Mandatory spaying and neutering.

Requirement. No person may own, keep, or harbor an unaltered or unspayed dog or cat over the age of 12 months in violation of this section. An owner or custodian of an unaltered dog must have the dog spayed or neutered, or provide a certificate of sterility, or obtain an unaltered dog license in accordance with this chapter. An owner or custodian of an unaltered cat must have the animal spayed or neutered, or provide a certificate of sterility.

Exemptions. This section shall not apply to any of the following:

A dog with a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death if spayed or neutered, due to age or infirmity. The owner or custodian must obtain written confirmation of this fact from a California Licensed Veterinarian. If the dog is able to be safely spayed or neutered at a later date, that date must be stated in the written confirmation; should this date be later than 30 days, the owner or custodian must apply for an unaltered dog license;

A cat with a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death if spayed or neutered, due to age or infirmity. The owner or custodian must obtain written confirmation of this fact from a California Licensed Veterinarian. If the cat is able to be safely spayed or neutered at a later date, that date must be stated in the written confirmation;

Animals owned by recognized dog or cat breeders, as defined by animal control division policy;

Animals recognized and registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), or other national registry and that are actively engaged in professional, sanctioned shows or competitions, upon reasonable proof submitted to the senior animal control officer or their designee;

Dogs which are used in the performance of search and rescue operations, military service dogs, and police dogs.

Sec. 8.02.110. – Denial or revocation of unaltered dog license and reapplication.

The division may deny or revoke an unaltered dog license for one or more of the following reasons:

The owner, custodian, applicant or licensee is not in compliance with all of the requirements of this section;

The division has received at least three complaints, verified by the division, that the owner, custodian, applicant, or licensee has allowed a dog to be stray or run at large or has otherwise been found to be neglectful of his or her or other animals;

The owner, custodian, applicant, or licensee has been previously cited for violating a state law, city code, or other municipal provision relating to the care and control of animals;

The unaltered dog has been adjudicated by a court or an agency of appropriate jurisdiction to be potentially dangerous, dangerous, or vicious, or to be a nuisance within the meaning of the City of Perris Ordinances or under state law;

Any unaltered dog license held by the applicant has previously been revoked;

The license application is discovered to contain a material misrepresentation or omission of fact.

Sec. 8.02.120. – Re-application for unaltered dog license.

(a) When an unaltered dog license is denied, the applicant may re-apply for a license upon changed circumstances and a showing that the requirements of this chapter have been met. The division shall refund one-half of the license fee when the application is denied. The applicant shall pay the full fee upon re-application.

(b) When an unaltered dog license is revoked, the owner or custodian of the dog may apply for a new license after a 30 day waiting period and upon showing that the requirements of this chapter 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.

Sec. 8.02.130. – Appeal of denial or revocation of unaltered dog license.

(a) In the event that the animal control division proposes to deny or revoke an unaltered dog license, the owner or custodian shall have the right to an administrative hearing regarding the matter as set forth herein. Notice of intent to deny or revoke. The division shall mail to the owner, custodian, licensee, or applicant a written notice of its intent to deny or revoke the license for an unaltered dog, which shall include the reason(s) for the denial or revocation. The owner, custodian, licensee, or applicant 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.

(1) Hearing officer. The hearing shall be conducted by the senior animal control officer or their designee.

(2) Notice and conduct of hearing. The division 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 30 days after the division’s receipt of the request for a hearing. The hearing will be informal and the California Rules of Evidence will not be strictly observed. The division 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 division has issued a letter of intent to deny or revoke, but has not yet denied or revoked the license, the owner, custodian, licensee, or applicant must provide the division with information as to the dog’s whereabouts, including the current owner or custodian’s full name, address, and telephone number.

Sec. 8.02.140. – Transfer, sale and breeding of unaltered dog or cat.

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 this section. The unaltered license and microchip numbers must appear on a document transferring the animal to the new owner.

Offer for sale or transfer of unaltered cat. An owner or custodian of an unaltered cat must notify the division of the name and address of the transferee within ten days after the transfer. The microchip numbers must appear on a document transferring the animal to the new owner.

Sec. 8.02.150. – Penalties issued for failure to spay or neuter a dog or cat.

The penalties for failure to spay or neuter a dog or cat shall be enforced as set forth below:

An administrative citation, infraction, or other such authorized penalty may be issued to an owner or custodian of an unaltered dog or cat for a violation of this section only when the owner or custodian is concurrently cited for another violation under State or local law pertaining to the obligations of a person owning or possessing a dog or cat. Examples of such State law or local ordinance violations include, but are not limited to, the following: failure to possess a current canine rabies vaccination of the subject dog; dog or cat at large; failure to license a dog; leash law violations; kennel or cattery permit violations; tethering violations; unhealthy or unsanitary conditions; failure to provide adequate care for the subject dog or cat in violation of the Penal Code; rabies quarantine violations for the subject dog; operating a business without a license and/or lack of State Tax ID Number; fighting dog activity in violation of Penal Code section 597.5; animals left unattended in motor vehicles; potentially dangerous, dangerous, or vicious animals; and noisy animals.

Should the owner or custodian of an unaltered dog or cat be found in violation of a state or local law, as stated above the owner or custodian shall be required to spay or neuter the unaltered animal in accordance with this section.

Sec. 8.02.160. – Impoundment of unaltered dog or cat.

When an unaltered dog or cat is impounded pursuant to state and/or local law, in addition to satisfying applicable requirements for the release of the animal, including but not limited to payment of impound fees pursuant to this chapter, the owner or custodian shall also do one of the following:

(1) Provide written proof of the dog’s or cat’s prior sterilization, if conditions cannot or do not make this assessment obvious to division personnel;

(2) Have the dog or cat spayed or neutered by a division veterinarian at the expense of the owner or custodian. Such expense may include additional fees due to extraordinary care required;

(3) Have the dog or cat spayed or neutered by another California Licensed Veterinarian. The owner or custodian may arrange for another California Licensed Veterinarian to spay or neuter the animal, and shall pay to the division the cost to deliver said animal to the chosen veterinarian. The cost to deliver the animal shall be based on the division’s hourly rate established by the auditor-controller. The veterinarian shall complete and return to the division within ten days a statement confirming that the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered or is, in fact, incapable of breeding and shall release the dog or cat to the owner or custodian only after the spay or neuter procedure is complete;

(4) At the discretion of the senior animal control officer or their designee, the dog or cat may be released to the owner or custodian if he or she signs a statement, under penalty of perjury, representing that the dog or cat will be spayed or neutered and that he or she will submit a statement within ten days of the release, signed by the veterinarian, confirming that the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered or is incapable of breeding; or

(5) If the owner or custodian demonstrates compliance with this section, then their animal will be returned to them.

Sec. 8.02.170. – Costs of impoundment.

(a) The owner or custodian of the unaltered dog or cat shall be responsible for the costs of impoundment, which shall include daily board costs, vaccination/medication, and any other diagnostic or therapeutic applications as provided in this chapter.

(b) The costs of impoundment shall be a lien on the dog or cat, and the unaltered animal shall not be returned to its owner or custodian until the costs are paid. If the owner or custodian of an impounded unaltered animal does not pay the lien against it in full within 14 days, the animal shall be deemed abandoned to the division in accordance with this chapter.

Sec. 8.02.180. – Application of fees and fines collected.

All costs and fines collected under this Title and the fees collected under this section, subsection 8.02.190 (f) shall be paid to the division for the purpose of defraying the cost of the implementation and enforcement of this program.

Sec. 8.02.200. – Public spay and neuter clinics.

(a) Authority for clinics. The senior animal control officer or their designee is authorized and directed to establish clinics at which members of the public who are residents of City of Perris may have dogs and cats spayed or neutered in a humane manner. Fees for services provided by such clinics shall be determined in a minimum amount, to offset costs of operation of such clinics and shall be consistent with the intent of this chapter for providing low-cost, nonprofit public spay and neuter services. Fees shall be established by the city council.

(b) Persons submitting a dog or cat for the above service shall sign a consent form under penalty of perjury certifying thereon that they are the owner of the animal or are otherwise authorized to present the animal for the above operation and such persons may be required to furnish proof of such ownership or authority. Such consent shall contain a waiver of any and all liability of the city, the Animal control division, and any other city employees for any injury or death to an animal arising out of the aforementioned operation or any services provided incidental thereto.

(c) The division shall establish a return date by which persons submitting animals for the above operation shall pick-up said animals or be subject to reasonable board care fees to commence the day after such return date. Failure to pick up an animal within 15 days of the return date shall be deemed abandonment of the animal and the animal control officer may dispose of it by sale or destruction.