§ 4421-4. Prohibition against unaltered dog or cat; exceptions.

No person shall own a dog or cat over the age of four (4) months that is kept in the unincorporated areas of the County of Ventura that has not been spayed or neutered, unless valid written documentation is provided to show proof that the animal is exempt from the requirement to be spayed or neutered by reason of one of the following:

(a)

The dog or cat is a breed approved by and is registered with the American Kennel Club or a similar foreign registry recognized by the Division, as indicated on the Division website, whose program and practices are consistent with the humane treatment of animals, and the dog or cat is actively used to exhibit or compete and has competed in at least one (1) legitimate exhibition or sporting competition hosted by, or under the approval of, the American Kennel Club or a similar foreign registry, within the last two (2) years, or is being trained or groomed to exhibit or compete and is too young to have yet competed.

(b)

The dog has earned, or if under three (3) years old, is actively being trained and in the process of earning, an agility, carting, herding, protection, rally, hunting, working, or other title from a registry or association approved by the Division.

(c)

The dog is being, or has been, appropriately trained and is actively used in a manner that meets the definition of a guide, signal or service dog as set forth in 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 Business and Professions Code Section 7200 et seq.

(d)

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.

(e)

The owner of the dog or cat provides a letter to the Division from a licensed veterinarian certifying that the animal's health would be best served by spaying or neutering 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 spay or neuter the animal; or that arrangements have been made to spay or neuter the dog or cat within sixty (60) days after the compliance deadline and the dog or cat is spayed or neutered within that sixty (60) day period. This letter shall include the veterinarian's license number and the date by which the animal may be safely spayed or neutered. The letter shall be updated periodically as necessary in the event the condition of the animal changes.

(f)

The owner of the dog or cat is an American Kennel Club "Breeder of Merit."

(g)

The dog or cat has a valid breeding permit issued to the owner by the Division.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013)