The intent of this article is to create a culture and common
practice of sterilization of dogs and cats. Education and voluntary
compliance is the preferred method of achieving sterilization, with
enforcement measures as a last resort. Nothing in this article shall
make veterinarians mandatory reporters of animals that have not been
sterilized.
(§ 4, Ord. 883, eff. March 15, 2018)
For purposes of this chapter, sterilization shall mean any medical
procedure performed by a veterinarian on a dog or cat that prevents
reproduction of that dog or cat. No person domiciled within the jurisdictional
boundaries of the City shall own a dog or cat over the age of six
months that has not been sterilized, unless valid written documentation
is provided to the City to show proof that the animal is exempt from
the requirement to be sterilized by reason of one of the following:
(a)
If
a dog is a breed approved by and registered with the American Kennel
Club ("AKC") or United Kennel Club ("UKC"), and the dog is actively
used to exhibit or compete and has competed in at least one legitimate
exhibition or sporting competition hosted or approved by the AKC and/or
UKC within the last two years, or is being trained to exhibit or compete
and is too young to have yet competed.
(b)
The
dog has earned, or if under three years old, is actively being trained
and is in the process of earning, an agility, carting, herding, protection,
rally, hunting, working, or other title from the AKC or UKC.
(c)
The
owner of the dog is an American Kennel Club "Breeder of Merit."
(d)
The
dog is being, or has been, appropriately trained and is actively being
used in a manner that meets the definition of a guide, signal, or
service dog as set forth in California Penal Code Section 365.5, subdivisions
(d), (e), and (f), or the dog is enrolled in a guide dog program administered
by a person licensed under California Business and Professions Code
Section 7200 et seq.
(e)
The
dog is being, or has been, appropriately trained and is actively used
by law enforcement agencies, the military, or search and rescue organizations,
for law enforcement, military, or search and rescue activities.
(f)
If
a cat is a breed recognized by the Cat Fancier's Association and meets
one of the following:
(g)
The
owner of the dog or cat provides a letter from a licensed veterinarian
certifying that the animal's health would be best served by sterilization
after a specified date; or, that due to age, poor health, or illness
of the animal, it is detrimental to the health of the animal to have
it sterilized; or, that arrangements have been made to sterilize the
animal within 60 days. This letter shall include the veterinarian's
license number and, if applicable, the date by which the animal may
safely be sterilized.
(§ 4, Ord. 883, eff. March 15, 2018, as amended by § 4, Ord.
933, eff. September 23, 2022)
All dogs and cats over the age of four months shall be implanted
with an animal identification device (or microchip), at the owner's
expense, identifying the owner of the animal. The owner shall notify
the City and the national registry applicable to the implanted chip,
of a change of owner, address or telephone number.
(§ 4, Ord. 883, eff. March 15, 2018, as amended by § 4, Ord.
933, eff. September 23, 2022)
Every act prohibited or declared unlawful by this chapter, and every failure to perform an act made mandatory by this chapter, shall be punishable as a misdemeanor or an infraction at the discretion of the City Attorney or the District Attorney, in accord with Ojai Municipal Code Section 1-2.03. In addition, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is a public nuisance subject to abatement as provided in this Code or under California law.
(§ 4, Ord. 883, eff. March 15, 2018, as amended by § 4, Ord.
933, eff. September 23, 2022)
