How do I obtain a dog license?

Dog licenses are issued through Monterey County.  They can be contacted at (831) 769-8850 or Monterey County Animal Services.

Do dogs need to be on a leash at all times?

Dogs shall be considered off-leash and “under voice command” only if:

1. The owner of the dog or person having charge or control over the dog has on her/his person or attached to the dog a chain, strap or cord enabling the person to quickly put the dog on leash;
2. The dog is not more than 25 feet from the person at any time;
3. The dog will return to within three feet of the person upon command;
4. The dog will remain within three feet of the person when other persons or animals are present

6.08.010 In Business District.

It is unlawful for the owner of any dog or other animal, or person having charge or control over the dog or other animal, whether licensed or unlicensed, to suffer, permit, or allow the dog or other animal to run at large on any public street, alley, park, square, or place, or on any vacant or unenclosed lots or land within the commercial zones or zone A-2 of the City. All dogs and other animals shall be deemed running at large within the meaning of this chapter unless led or restrained by a chain, strap, or cord attached to their collars and which is actually held by some person or made fast to some stationary object. It is unlawful for any person owning or having the custody of any dog or dogs, except guide dogs engaged in guiding a blind person, to permit the same to enter any grocery store, meat market, fruit or vegetable store or restaurant in the City or to contaminate any food stuffs delivered to any such store and deposited on any sidewalk or in any yard contiguous thereto. (Ord. 201 C.S. § 1, 1969; Code 1975 § 630).

6.08.015 Animals in Residential Districts.

A. Running at Large Unlawful. It is unlawful within the residential zones of the City (R-4 and R-1 districts) for the owner of any dog or other animal, or person having charge or control over said dog or animal, whether licensed or unlicensed, to suffer, permit or allow said dog or other animal to run at large on any public street, alley, park, square or place, or on any vacant or unenclosed lots or land, or on any developed private property without the consent of the owner, occupant or tenant of the property.

B. Running at Large Defined. A dog or other animal shall be deemed “running at large” within the meaning of this chapter unless under voice command as defined herein, or led or restrained by a chain, strap or cord attached to its collar and which is actually held by some person or made fast so some stationary object. A dog shall be deemed “under voice command” only if: 1) the owner of the dog or person having charge or control over the dog has on her/his person or attached to the dog a chain, strap or cord enabling the person to quickly put the dog on leash; 2) the dog is not more than 25 feet from the person at any time; 3) the dog will return to within three feet of the person upon command; and 4) the dog will remain within three feet of the person when other persons or animals are present. If any of these four criteria are not met, a dog shall not be deemed under voice command and, unless on leash, shall be deemed to be running at large.

C. Exclusions From Prohibition. Domestic cats are excluded from the applicability of this section. “Domestic cats” means cats of species which are customarily tame and kept as pets. “Domestic cats” shall not mean any members of the cat family which are tamed but are customarily wild or are big cats such as bobcats, mountain lions, lions, ocelots, leopards or the like. (Ord. 82-10 § 1, 1982; Code 1975 § 630.01).

6.08.030 Dogs on Public Beach and Park Land.

It is unlawful for the owner or person having charge of any dog to permit the dog to run at large on any City-owned beachlands or on any City-owned park lands unless the owner or person having charge is also present and in control of the dog at such time as it is running loose. (Ord. 77-1 § 1, 1977; Ord. 201 C.S. § 1, 1969; Code 1975 § 630.2).

6.08.031 Dogs on Scenic Road.

On Scenic Road from its eastern property edge to the base of the beach embankment between Eighth Avenue and the south City limits, all dogs and other animals shall be deemed running at large within the meaning of this chapter unless led or restrained by a chain, strap, or cord attached to their collars which is actually held by a person or made fast to a stationary object. (Ord. 89-25 § 1, 1989).

6.08.040 Dogs in Devendorf Park.

It is unlawful for the owner or the person having charge of any dog to permit such dog, unless a guide dog for the blind, to enter Devendorf Park, whether on a leash or not. (Ord. 268 C.S. § 1, 1972; Code 1975 § 630.3).

What do I do if I find an injured or sick marine mammal on the beach?

If you are walking on the beach and come across a marine mammal in distress please follow these simple steps from The Marine Mammal Center:

• Don’t Touch – Do not touch, pick up or feed the animal.  Do not return the animal to the water.
• Observe – Observe the animal from a distance of at least 50 feet.  Keep people and dogs away.
• Describe – Note physical characteristics such as size, presence of external ears and fur color.  Assess the animal’s condition:  Is it weak or skinny?  Does it have any open wounds?  Look for any obvious identification tags or markings.
• Locate – Determine the animal’s exact location for accurate reporting.
• Call – Call The Marine Mammal Center, 831-633-6298, with as much information as you have and Carmel Animal Control at 831-624-6403.  

What do I do if the neighbor’s dog won’t stop barking?

Carmel Municipal Code Section 6.08.140 Excessive Noise from Animals states:  It is unlawful for any person owning or having custody of any bird or animal to permit the bird or animal to produce or emit continuous or frequently repeated loud noises, including barks, howls and brays, of a degree of loudness sufficient to be audible at a distance of 50 feet. (Ord. 203 C.S. § 1, 1969; Code 1975 § 632.5).

If you would like to report excessive noise from an animal please contact the Carmel Police Department at 831-624-6403.  Please be prepared to provide the following information, if possible call while the dog is barking:

• Location of animal
• How many dogs
• Length and type of barking

Where can I get my pet chipped?

Check with your veterinarian to see if they are able to microchip your pet.  The SPCA of Monterey County provides microchipping at their facility at 1002 Monterey Salinas Highway (off Highway 68) or contact them at 831-373-2631. 

What do I do if I have a lost dog?  What do I do if I found a dog?

Whether you have lost a pet or found a pet it should be reported to the Carmel Police Department at 831-624-6403 or SW corner of Junipero & 4th.  Carmel Animal Control has the ability to scan an animal for a microchip which can help return the pet to the owner.

You can also contact:

• Monterey County Animal Services at 831-769-8850.

What do I do if an animal bites me?

If you are bitten by an animal or your animal bites someone here is some helpful information:

• If the bite victim needs medical attention call 9-1-1.
• Call the Carmel Police Department, 831-624-6403, 24-hours a day and request animal control or an officer respond to the scene to take a report.
• Prior to animal control or the officer’s arrival provide first aid to the victim, if the wound is serious call 9-1-1, otherwise, the victim can see a private physician if needed after the report is taken.
• If possible safely contain the responsible animal, if the animal is vicious wait until animal control or an officer arrives and they will contain the animal.
• If the responsible animal does not stay in the area, try and get a good look at the animal and the direction it went so that you can give a description to animal control or the officer.

California Penal Code Section 398 states:

(a) If a person owning or having custody or control of an animal knows, or has reason to know, that the animal bit another person, he or she shall, as soon as is practicable, but no later than 48 hours thereafter, provide the other person with his or her name, address, telephone number, and the name and license tag number of the animal who bit the other person. If the person with custody or control of the animal at the time the bite occurs is a minor, he or she shall instead provide identification or contact information of an adult owner or responsible party. If the animal is required by law to be vaccinated against rabies, the person owning or having custody or control of the animal shall, within 48 hours of the bite, provide the other person with information regarding the status of the animal’s vaccinations. Violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100).

(b) For purposes of this section, it is necessary for the skin of the person to be broken or punctured by the animal for the contact to be classified as a bite.

Should I feed the wildlife? (NO!) 

They may look cute and hungry but feeding the local wildlife is not good for them and it is prohibited.  Feeding wildlife can lead to serious problems such as public health concerns, damage to property, aggressiveness, and animal deaths.

How you can help:

• Don’t leave pet food or water bowls outside, after your pet is finished eating bring the bowls inside.
• Secure trash can lids.
• Don’t leave food scraps out for animals.  Don’t place food scraps in gardens or compost bins, use a closed compost bin.
• Don’t allow bird food to accumulate on the ground, use a feeder.
• If you have fruit trees, pick or dispose of the fruit when it is ripe.

Who do I call if I find an injured owl, deer, bat, or other wild animal?

The SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is here to help injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals 7 days a week. Learn what to do if you find a wild animal that is injured HERE. This information is sorted by species.

WILDLIFE QUESTIONS DURING REGULAR HOURS

(831) 264-5427

WILDLIFE EMERGENCIES DURING REGULAR HOURS

(831) 264-5427

WILDLIFE EMERGENCIES AFTER HOURS

See SPCA species-specific information about what to do