HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-28 - AGENDA REPORTS - SPAY NEUTER ORD (2)Agenda Item: G/
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
Dave Peterson
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
DATE: November 28, 2006
SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND
RESTATING TITLE 8 (ANIMALS) OF THE CITY OF SANTA
CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH A MANDATORY
SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM FOR DOGS, TO REQUIRE
MICROCHIPPING OF DOGS, AND TO ESTABLISH NEW FEES
FOR ALTERED AND UNALTERED DOG LICENSES
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
City Council introduce and pass to second reading an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING AND RESTATING TITLE 8 (ANIMALS) OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH A MANDATORY SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM
FOR DOGS, TO REQUIRE MICROCHIPPING OF DOGS, AND TO ESTABLISH NEW FEES
FOR ALTERED AND UNALTERED DOG LICENSES."
BACKGROUND
Currently, the City of Santa Clarita contracts with the County of Los Angeles for animal control
services. The City adopted the County's code section regarding animals in 1991. Recently, Los
Angeles County amended their code to include language regarding a mandatory spay and neuter
program for dogs four months and older, and a mandatory microchipping program for dogs four
months and older. The adopted amendments also changed fees for unaltered and altered dog
licenses and added language to various definitions within the code. The amendment to Chapter 8
of the City of Santa Clarita Municipal Code would mirror these changes.
Specifically, the amendments to the code would:
• Require all dogs over four months be spayed or neutered. This would require any dog over
four months to be spayed or neutered to receive a license. Currently, there is no, code,
Ordinance passed to
Second reading
requirement for dogs to be spayed or neutered to receive a license. Dogs that would
medically suffer from the procedure due to age or health can be exempt from this program.
In addition, the amendments would allow the owner of an unaltered (non -spayed or
non -neutered) dog to apply for an unaltered dog permit under specific conditions. In this
case, the dog would be exempt from the mandatory program.
Require all dogs over four months to receive an implanted microchip. This would require
any dog over four months to receive an implanted microchip that is reported to Animal
Control for identification and ownership information. Microchipping will be offered at
clinics that will be free to the public. Animal Control Services will administer these clinics.
Increase the fee for unaltered dogs from $30.00 to $60.00 and increase the fee for altered
dogs from $15.00 to $20.00. The County of Los Angeles conducted a significant public
hearing process regarding these changes at the time they adopted their ordinance.
Introduce new definitions and amend existing definitions within the code. The proposed
amendments would make administrative changes to the definition of a "hobby breeder" and
add a definition for a "competition dog" and and "unaltered" dog.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other actions as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact is unkown at this time. However, it is anticipated that the revenues generated
by licensing of animals will increase due to the increase in the fee. The amount of increase will
be determined by the number of animals who receive licenses.
ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance
Ordinance Exhibit A available in the City Clerk's Reading File