San Bernardino Dog Ownership Laws
Understanding the Dog Laws of San Bernardino County
If you have a dog or are considering getting one, you should be abreast of the local municipal ordinances statutes where you reside. We’re reviewing the Animal Laws and Welfare from the San Bernardino County Public Health Department.
Licensing Your Dog in San Bernardino County.
From the County licensing laws. All dogs four months and older must be licensed by the County. When the dog reaches four months, the County requires owners to license dogs within 15 days of arriving at home. Dogs not spayed or neutered cost $96 for one year, $192 for two years, or $288 for a three-year license. Dogs unable to be spayed or neutered are eligible for lower-cost licenses. If a vet signs off, license fees drop to $24 annually.
A spayed or neutered dog costs the same annually for a license. However, there are discounts for paying for years in advance—$42 for two years and $54 for three. Seniors and disabled residents also qualify for reduced pricing. In this case, dog licenses are $12 per year. Late permits come with a $20 fee.
What are San Bernardino’s County Rules Regarding Leashing and Tethering Dogs?
We get this information from the County’s leash and tether laws. According to County Ordinance 32.0108, all animals must be adequately restrained in a car or cage. If a dog gets loose, the County can impound it. Furthermore, the owner must pay a reclaiming fee if a dog is impounded. In addition, the County requests that all dogs cannot exit a vehicle when riding in it.
All dogs should be leashed or tethered even when on your property. Dogs tethered to an object such as a tree, fence, or another stationary object for more than 3 hours per day is a violation of the California State Health and Safety Code, seen below:
No person shall tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause a dog to be tethered, fastened, chained, tied, or restrained, to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object.
In addition, the state recommends using a mobile restraining system, like a trolley line, to keep your dog exercised and mobile. As you can see, San Bernardino has an extensive set of dog ownership laws. Feel free to surf our site to learn more about San Bernardino County Dog Bites.