Under LAMC §53.15.2, every dog and cat over four months old in Los Angeles must be spayed or neutered. Owners who want to keep an intact animal must obtain an intact-animal permit, with narrow exemptions for breeders, working dogs, and verified medical reasons.
LAMC §53.15.2 requires sterilization of dogs and cats once they reach four months of age. Owners may keep an intact animal only by buying an annual intact-animal permit and meeting strict criteria: registered show or working dogs, AKC or competition-class breeders, guide and service dogs, animals whose veterinarian certifies sterilization would endanger health, or pets too young or too old for safe surgery. The first violation usually triggers a notice giving the owner roughly sixty days to comply. Continued non-compliance brings escalating fines and possible misdemeanor prosecution by the City Attorney.
First violation: written notice plus roughly sixty days to spay, neuter, or buy an intact permit. Subsequent violations: fines up to five hundred dollars and possible misdemeanor charges; license fees rise sharply for unaltered animals.
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