Los Banos, CA Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Dogs adjudicated vicious or potentially dangerous
- Requirement
- Microchip inserted by Animal Control Officer, owner's expense
- Compliance deadline
- 30 days (35 if mailed) after determination
- Also required
- Sterilization at owner's expense
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine, 6 months jail, dog destroyed
- Enforcing agency
- Animal Control Services Unit
Summary
Los Banos requires owners of dogs adjudicated vicious or potentially dangerous to have Animal Control microchip the dog for identification at the owner's expense, under Los Banos Municipal Code § 6-1.8010. The chip data must be logged in the dog's City license file, and the same dog must also be sterilized at the owner's cost under the same section.
The owner or keeper of any dog found to be vicious or potentially dangerous pursuant to this chapter shall, at their expense, have a microchip, assigned by Animal Control Officer, inserted into the dog for identification purposes. The identifying information listed on the microchip shall be noted in the City licensing files for that dog. A dog that has been found to be potentially dangerous or vicious pursuant to this article shall be sterilized at the owner's expense. ... Conviction for a violation of this article shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by imprisonment not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Upon conviction of a misdemeanor under this article, the court shall order the vicious or potentially dangerous dog to be seized and humanely destroyed. Any person convicted of a violation of this article shall be prohibited from owning or keeping any dog within the City for a minimum of three years.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4356507; v3 updated 2025-03-05).
Full Breakdown
8004. Once a dog is so determined, the owner has 30 days from notice (35 days if mailed) to satisfy every requirement, including the microchip, and must submit proof of compliance to the Animal Control Services Unit. 8010 then requires a microchip assigned by an Animal Control Officer to be inserted at the owner's expense, with the chip's identifying data noted in the dog's City licensing file, and requires the same dog to be sterilized, also at the owner's expense. 8009. 8004 requires the dog to be humanely euthanized by an Animal Control Officer or licensed veterinarian, with proof of euthanasia due within two business days.
Violations & Fines
Intentionally failing to comply with the microchip and sterilization requirement is a misdemeanor under § 6-1.8011: a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment not to exceed six months, or both. A conviction requires the court to order the dog seized and humanely destroyed, and bars the owner from owning or keeping any dog in Los Banos for at least three years. Administrative citations under § 6-1.8008 are also available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Los Banos require microchips for all pet dogs?
What happens if I don't get my dangerous dog chipped in time?
Can I be prosecuted for skipping the microchip requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Banos
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Banos to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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