- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
Clearlake cracks down on animal licensing, vaccination and spay/neuter violations
The Clearlake Police Department reported that on Saturday, Nov. 12, police officers assisted Clearlake Animal Control in performing a special animal control-related enforcement.
Officers cited animal owners who have chosen to deliberately disobey the city’s mandatory spay/neuter law, haven’t had the required rabies vaccinations for their animals or disregarded city code requirements that all dogs be licensed.
In all, officers performed compliance checks at 38 locations, issuing 15 citations for 24 animals, according to the report.
The animal owners were cited for 38 separate violations which included failure to spay/neuter, failure to vaccinate for rabies and/or failure to license their dog.
Police said the special enforcement was very successful and there are plans for scheduling another in the near future.
Animal owners need to know that they will be cited if they choose not to follow the laws when it comes to being a responsible pet owner, police reported.
While citations were issued for no rabies vaccination and/or not having a dog license, the main focus of this special enforcement was the city’s mandatory spay/neuter law, in effect since June of 2006.
The city of Clearlake and the county as a whole have an abundantnce of dogs and cats which are not spayed or neutered. As a direct result, many animals end up on the streets, in a shelter or sent to a rescue agency. Police said that primarily due to a lack of responsible pet owners, this problem becomes a huge burden to the community, local animal control agencies and rescue groups.
The city of Clearlake Animal Control and Clearlake Police Department have pledged to have a “no tolerance policy” for dog and cat owners in the city who choose not to follow the law. If your pet is not spayed/neutered, vaccinated for the rabies virus and/or if your dog is not licensed, you will be issued a citation.
Following the law and becoming a responsible pet owner is not only the right thing to do, it is also the more affordable choice, according to the Clearlake Police Department. If you are cited for having an animal which is not spayed/neutered, the fine could be as much as $435 per animal, while the fine for violating the required rabies vaccination ordinance is $245 per animal and for having a dog which is not licensed the fine is $125. In addition to these fine amounts, owners will still be required to comply with the law.
To have your pet spayed/neutered and/or vaccinated for the rabies virus, contact your local veterinarian. The Animal Coalition of Lake County as well as the SPCA of Clearlake offer low cost spay/neuter vouchers and clinics.
To contact the Animal Coalition, visit them at 14104 Lakeshore Drive on Wednesdays from 10 am to noon. To contact the SPCA of Clearlake, call 707-279-1400.
The city of Clearlake Animal Control is hosting a low cost rabies vaccination clinic on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The cost of rabies vaccination is $6 per animal; DHPP vaccinations for $14 and licensing for dogs will also be available. The clinic is for Clearlake residents only.
Bring to the clinic proof of physical address and prior rabies vaccination records if the animal has been previously vaccinated. Cash, check or money orders will be accepted.
Dogs must be leashed at all times and all cats must be contained in a type of carrier at all times at the clinic. Animals must remain under control at all times.
For more information regarding the low cost rabies vaccination clinic, call 707-994-8201, Extension 115.
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