A. Every dog over four months of age shall be subject to an annual license fee in the amount set forth in the animal control fee resolution.

B. Any person failing to procure a dog license prior to the expiration date of a previously issued dog license shall pay the amount set forth in the animal control fee resolution as a penalty for such failure.

C. Any person failing to procure a dog license within 30 days after the dog becomes four months of age shall pay the amount as set forth in the animal control fee resolution as a penalty for such failure.

D. Any person failing to procure a dog license within 30 days of bringing such dog into the county shall pay the amount as set forth in the animal control fee resolution as a penalty for such failure.

E. The Chief of Animal Control shall procure and issue serial numbered license tags stamped with the name of the county. Such tags shall only be issued upon the application of owners who have complied with the vaccination and fee provisions of this chapter, and such license tag will be permanently issued for each dog and shall remain with that dog.

F. Every dog shall be provided by the owner with a suitable collar or other device to which a dog license tag shall be attached.

G. A fee shall not be levied for any dog license issued for an assistance dog or any dog owned by a senior citizen over the age of 65 years. As used in this chapter, “assistance dogs” are dogs specially trained as guide dogs, signal dogs, or service dogs as defined in Food and Agricultural Code Section 30850.

The County Health Department as the administrator of the county dog licensing programs shall establish procedures for and shall issue separate identification tags for “assistance dogs.” Any person making an application for an assistance dog identification tag shall execute an affidavit as required by subsection (B) of Section 30850 of the Food and Agricultural Code. The assistance dog identification tags shall comply with the requirements of Food and Agricultural Code Section 30852.

Upon the death or retirement of an assistance dog, the owner or person in possession of the assistance dog identification tag shall immediately return the tag to the Sierra County Animal Control-Licensing Department.

The foregoing shall not exempt any animal from the requirement of maintaining a current rabies vaccination.

H. In the event a license tag is lost from the body of any dog for which the same was issued, the owner shall, within 10 days thereafter, procure another and new license for such dog, for which he/she shall pay a fee as set forth in the animal control fee resolution. As often as any license is lost, the same shall be replaced in the same manner as hereinabove provided, within the same license year.

I. The Chief of Animal Control may authorize veterinarians to sell dog licenses pursuant to this chapter. Such veterinarians shall be reimbursed the amount as set forth in the animal control fee resolution for each license sold.

J. At the request of an owner and upon showing of a valid certificate of rabies vaccination, a license for a cat may be issued and an annual fee in an amount as set forth in the animal control fee resolution shall be charged and collected.

K. The Chief of Animal Control shall charge and collect an application and annual permit fee in addition to regular license fees for any vicious or dangerous animal as defined in SCC 8.08.170 in amounts as set forth in the animal control fee resolution.

L. Any person failing to procure a permit for a vicious or dangerous animal prior to the expiration date of a previously issued permit shall pay an amount as set forth in the animal control fee resolution as a penalty for such failure. (Ord. 938, eff. 1/2/03; Ord. 757, eff. 4/19/90. Formerly 8.08.420)