Guidelines for the Care & Treatment of Animals in the City of Los Angeles

Department of Animal Services, City of Los Angeles

Following are basic guidelines for the care and treatment of animals, including laws as set forth in federal, state, county and City of Los Angeles Municipal Code sections. This is not intended as legal advice. Direct your specific questions regarding laws to your local animal control agency.

LOST PETS: If you have lost a pet, go to all animal shelters in your area at least every two days to look for your animal. Post photos of your pet on the Shelter’s “Lost Pets” Board. Photos of lost pets are also posted on the Department of Animal Services’ website: www.LAAnimalServices.com

FOUND PETS: If you find a lost pet, you must take it to an animal shelter in the area so that the owner can locate and claim it. YOU MAY NOT KEEP A PET YOU’VE FOUND WITHOUT COMPLYING WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCATING THE OWNER. You must provide any pet you find with humane care, including prompt veterinary care if it is injured or ill, or take it to a shelter for immediate care.

LICENSING: The law requires a license for dogs and horses. An annual license fee of $100 is charged for any unaltered dog. ( “Unaltered” means any dog that has not been permanently, surgically or otherwise sterilized to render it incapable of reproducing. ) An annual license fee of $10 is charged for any altered ( permanently sterilized / surgically spayed / neutered ) dog. (LAMC 53.15) The annual license fee for a horse is $14.

I.D./LICENSE TAGS: Your dog is required to wear its license tag on a collar or halter at all times. A personal I.D. tag, clearly displaying the owner’s phone number is also advisable. BE SURE TO UDPATE LICENSE INFORMATION AND TAGS IF YOU MOVE OR IF YOUR PET IS ADOPTEDTO ANOTHER LOCATION. (Keep a current photo of your pet for I.D. purposes.) (LAMC 53.21) Micro-chipping your pet provides permanent I.D.

BREEDING: Anyone intentionally breeding or permitting dogs or cats to breed/reproduce is subject to certain laws governing this activity and must obtain an annual breeder’s permit. (LAMC 53.15.2)

RABIES CONTROL: Any dog over four (4) months of age is required to have a current rabies vaccination. (LAMC 53.51) You must be able to produce the documentation upon request. (LAMC 53.24)

LEASH LAW: Dogs must be kept on your own property unless under the control of a competent person and restrained on a leash six feet or less in length. (LAMC 53.06.2)

SANITATION LAWS : Owners are responsible for immediately removing any feces deposited by a dog on public or private property(other than that of the dog owner). (LAMC 53.49)

Animal excrement (dog droppings) should be picked up daily and deposited in a container to prevent attracting/ harboring flies. Such container should be removed from the premises at least once every seven (7) days. (L.A. County Code Sec. 11.30.070 & 11.16.030/11.16.050)

CARE & ATTENTION: Any animal neglected, abandoned or kept without food, water or proper care and attention will be removed by the Department of Animal Services and the owner cited. (LAMC 53.10)

FOOD & WATER: Pets must be provided with adequate food and water. Water should be available at all times and should be placed in an area where it will not become overheated in the summer or frozen in the winter.

SHELTER: Dogs should be provided with a shelter covered on the sides, including a roof and floor raised off the ground adequately to prevent flooding by water during rain.

ABANDONMENT: It is a misdemeanor to abandon any animal in the State of California. ANIMALS MAY NOT BE DUMPED (PERMANENTLY LEFT) IN ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE AREAS NOR ON THE STREETS OR HIGHWAY. If you do not wish to keep your pet and cannot find a suitable, responsible home to adopt it, take it to your local animal shelter. (LAMC 53.12) (PC 597s)

SELLING/GIVING AWAY ANIMALS: Animals may NOT be displayed, offered for sale, sold or given away on any street or sidewalk. (LAMC 43.42) No person shall sell, barter, exchange or offer for adoption, whether for compensation or otherwise, any dog or cat to any minor under the age of eighteen (18) years without the written permission of one of the minor’s parents or legal guardians. (LAMC 53.15.2)

DANGEROUS DOGS: Potentially dangerous dogs must be kept in an adequately fenced/enclosed area and must be under the control of the owner at all times. (LAMC 53.33-53.34) A vicious dog (one which has caused certain types of injuries on humans or animals) may be humanely euthanized by the Department of Animal Services.

GUARD DOGS: Any dog kept, used or maintained on any commercial or industrial premises to guard, protect, patrol or defend any property or person is subject to special provisions, immunizations, licensing and regulations. (LAMC 53.66) Contact the Department of Animal Services for information on Guard Dog laws.

DOG/CAT KENNELS: No one may maintain a dog/cat kennel within the City of Los Angeles without first obtaining a permit from the Department of Animal Services. The maximum number of dogs that may be maintained on your property without such a permit is three (3). The same limit applies to cats. (LAMC 53.50) Animal kennels are prohibited within 500 feet of residential areas. (LAMC 20.01 and 20.04)

DOGS IN TRUCKS: No animal may be transported on a street or highway in the back of a truck or other vehicle unless the animal is cross-tethered (restrained from two sides), secured in a carrier or cage, or the space is enclosed or has side and tail racks at least 46 inches high so that the animal may not jump, fall or be thrown out. (Veh. 23117.a) (See Veh.23117.b for exceptions)

POISONING: No person shall place any poisonous substance in a place accessible to animals or birds with the intent to kill or harm them. (PC596) (LAMC 53.41)

ANIMALS AS FOOD: Pet animals or any traditional companion animals may not be used, sold or given away for the purpose of using it as food. (Misdemeanor) (PC 598b)

DOG FIGHTING: Anyone who possesses, keeps or trains any dog with the intention of engaging in any exhibition of fighting with another dog or anyone who causes any dog to fight with another dog is guilty of a felony. Anyone who is a spectator at such an exhibition of dog fighting is guilty of a misdemeanor. (PC597)

ANIMAL FIGHTING OTHER THAN DOGS: Possessing training devices or causing any animals or birds (including fighting cocks) to fight or being a spectator at such an event is a misdemeanor (PC 597).

OTHER ANIMALS: Fowl and other animals (other than cats, dogs, canaries and birds of the Psittacine family) must be kept at least 35 feet from any dwelling, restaurant or food establishment and 100 feet from any school, hospital, or similar institution. (L.A. County Code Sec. 11.16.090.) Any crowing rooster, gamecock, turkey, guinea hen, peacock, goose, duck or other fowl capable of loud crowing or like noise, shall be kept at least 100 feet from any dwelling, residence or living quarters of persons other than their owner. (LAMC 40.03)

BURIAL OF ANIMALS: No dead animal or fowl may be buried in the City of Los Angeles except in an established cemetery. (LAMC 53.62) Report Dead Animals to the Bureau of Sanitation, Department of Public works: 1-800-773-CITY.

CHAINING: Humane requirements for maintaining a dog on a chain, rope or leash vary according to the size of the dog and other circumstances. Chaining is not a desirable means of confining any dog for long periods and should be avoided whenever possible. If it is necessary to restrain a dog in this manner for limited periods, an overhead, sliding cable that can be attached to a halter on the dog is usually the safest and most humane method. If the dog is chained, the chain should be long enough to permit adequate movement and exercise and be affixed so that the dog cannot become entangled or injured. The chain must permit the animal access to adequate shelter, food and water. (Contact your local animal control agency for specific rules. Some cities and/or communities do not allow chaining.) (PC597t.) No dog should be chained in an open area where it may be attacked by other animals or approached by strangers.

Anyone Who Maliciously And Intentionally Maims, Mutilates, Tortures Or Wounds A Living Animal, Or Maliciously And Intentionally Kills An Animal Is Guilty Of An Offense Punishable By Imprisonment In The State Prison Or By A Fine Of Not More Than $20,000, Or Both Fine And Imprisonment. (Pc 597.)