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SECTION 18. GUARD DOGS. A. Registration Time Limit, Fee 1. Guard dog owners and guard dog services shall register all dogs used in their business with the Division. The registration shall include: a. Name, address and telephone number of the owner and/or service's manager; b. The breed, sex, weight, age and color(s) of the guard dog; c. Tattoo registration number of the guard dog; d. Other distinguishing physical features of the dog; e. Certification of rabies vaccination; f. A special guard dog license tag; g. Electronic animal identification device number (EAID)(if used by the county); h. Proof of ownership (i.e., bill of sale, receipt or notarized affidavit) including the name and address from whom the dog was obtained; and i. A notarized affidavit signed by the previous owner acknowledging that the dog will be used as a guard dog. This requirement may be waived if the dog has been previously registered to the guard dog owner for more than one (1) year in Palm Beach County or any other governmental jurisdiction. 2. Guard dogs, newly acquired by guard dog services, shall be vaccinated against rabies and registered with the Division no later than ten (10) calendar days after acquisition. 3. The fee for registration of a guard dog with the Division shall be established by the Board by resolution. 4. A special guard dog license tag shall be an annual requirement. The special license tags are available only through the Division. The guard dog tag shall be worn at all times. B. Tattoo and Electronic Implant Required 1. Each guard dog shall have a registration number to be obtained from the Division, and the owner shall, within fifteen (15) calendar days of registration with the Division, have this number tattooed on the dog's inside right thigh or right ear so as to be clearly visible. No registration number or tattoo shall be administered until proof of ownership is first presented either by notarized bill of sale or notarized affidavit. The registration number shall be prefixed by the letters "PB.@ Each letter and number shall be at least one-quarter (1/4) inch in height. Any guard dog already tattooed with a numbering system different from that required by the Division, need not be retattooed if the existing tattoo is legible and can properly identify that dog. 2. Each guard dog shall be implanted with an electronic animal identification device (EAID) (if used and approved by the Division). C. Maintenance of Guard Dog Registration System; Transfer, Death, Disappearance, and Rabies Inoculation as Affecting Registration System The Division shall maintain a guard dog registration system which shall contain all data required by the Division. Immediately upon transfer of ownership, death or disappearance of a guard dog, each guard dog service or owner shall notify the Division. Upon receipt of the information, the appropriate entry shall be made in the guard dog registration system. If the dog has disappeared, an entry should be made to reflect the location of such disappearance. D. Inspection/Records 1. It shall be a condition of the issuance of any guard dog registration that officers of the Division shall at any reasonable time, unannounced, have the right to enter the premises and inspect: a. All dogs and kennels housing guard dogs and other premises where such dogs are kept. b. All records for each guard dog including rabies vaccination and annual veterinary physical exams. 2. Refusal to allow inspection shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this Ordinance. E. Transportation of Guard Dog 1. The vehicle of every guard dog service transporting any guard dog must be clearly marked, showing that it is transporting a "Bad" dog. A compartment separate from the driver is required and shall be arranged to ensure maximum ventilation for the animal. 2. No guard dog shall be transported in the trunk of a car or on an open bed truck. F. General Requirements for Using Guard Dogs 1. Each business which hires or uses a guard dog to patrol the premises after that business's operating hours shall provide adequate fencing or some other confining structure to keep the guard dog within the enclosed area. 2. Each business which hires or uses a guard dog that is present during that business's operating hours shall have the dog confined in such a manner so as not to pose a danger to the public. 3. At each appropriate location and entry point, and at fifty (50) foot intervals along the fence perimeter, if applicable, a sign shall be posted including the words "Bad Dog." 4. Entry points shall have a sign posted with the telephone number of the dog's trainer or handler and/or owner in case of an emergency. 5. Dogs used for guarding businesses must be given a humane existence, including adequate shelter as defined in Section 24 - ANIMAL CARE; MANNER OF KEEPING, food, water and exercise. Guard dogs that are confined to a cage shall have at least one-half (1/2) hour of exercise within each twelve (12) hours of confinement. 6. No dog which has been classified as Adangerous@ by the Division shall be used as a guard dog. 7. Every owner shall be required to have each guard dog undergo an annual physical exam by a licensed veterinarian. If the veterinarian deems that a dog is permanently unfit to work, the dog shall be immediately retired.
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