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L.A. Gets Tactical About Dog Licenses, Orange County Gives Temporary Amnesty
Photo by Tom Andrews/LAist
Two neighboring local governments and two very different approaches. Cash-strappd Los Angeles and Orange County are going after dog owners who haven't paid for licenses yet in order to fill in budget gaps.
With estimations showing that two-thirds of the city's dog population could be unlicensed, the city of Los Angeles stands to gain $3.6 million, according to the Associated Press. Licenses cost $15 for sterilized dogs and $100 for unaltered ones. To assist the Department of Animal Services, the Department and Water and Power will share a database of homes with pets, which is kept so meter readers are aware when entering a property. This has one councilman is questioning if the move violates civil liberties.
Meanwhile in Orange County, officials declared April as an amnesty month. That is, if you are late on renewing a dog's license or never got one in the first place, you can do so sans the $41 late fee, according to the OC Register. Licenses cost $24 for sterilized dogs and $100 for unaltered ones.
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