Chapter 6.08 - Animal Control Administration#

6.08.010 - Duties of chief of animal control.#

The city manager is the chief of animal control and may designate or contract for those services. The chief of animal control is responsible for the enforcement of this title, and all laws of the state of California pertaining to the control of dogs and other animals and the humane treatment of animals, and his duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. To administer the animal control center and keep such records as may be required.

2. To take up and impound animals found within the city which are in violation of this title.

3. To remove and dispose of the carcass of any animal found on any public highway, street, alley or other public place within the city.

4. To quarantine animals and to cooperate with the county health officer.

5. To administer licensing programs as provided for in this title.

6. To administer rabies clinics.

(Ord. 804B § 2(part), 2006)

6.08.020 - Dogs killing livestock.#

The chief of animal control may kill any dog found in the act of killing, wounding or persistently pursuing or worrying livestock or poultry on land or premises which are not owned or possessed by the owner of the dog.

(Ord. 804B § 2(part), 2006)

6.08.030 - Rules and regulations.#

The chief of animal control may formulate rules and regulations in conformity with, and for the purposes of carrying out the intent of this title, and compliance with such rules and regulations shall be prerequisite to the issuance and continued validity of any license or permit provided.

(Ord. 804B § 2(part), 2006)

6.08.040 - Authority to carry firearms.#

The chief of animal control and such animal control officers as he or she may specifically designate in writing are authorized to carry firearms when acting in the course and scope of their employment pursuant to Penal Code of the state of California.

(Ord. 804B § 2(part), 2006)

6.08.050 - Violations.#

Any person violating any of the provisions of this title shall be guilty of an infraction and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished according to the punishment prescribed for an infraction in the general laws of the state. In addition to all remedies provided in this title, the city on behalf of the people of the state of California, may institute appropriate action in any court of competent jurisdiction to restrain or abate any violation of this title as a public nuisance. It is hereby declared that the keeping, harboring or maintaining of any animal in violation of the provisions of this title constitutes a public nuisance and may be restrained by any court of competent jurisdiction in the manner set forth above.

(Ord. 804B § 2(part), 2006)

6.08.060 - Authority to use tranquilizers.#

In performance of his or her duties, the animal control officer shall have the authority to employ the use of a tranquilizer gun and all animal control devices in common use with the state.

(Ord. 804B § 2(part), 2006)

6.08.070 - Authority to enter property.#

Except in cases where there is an imminent danger to the public health, safety or welfare, whenever it is necessary to make an inspection or whenever the animal control officer or his duly authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises or property any condition which may be in violation of this title, the animal control officer, or his authorized representative, may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the animal control officer by this title or any other ordinance of the city; provided that if such building or premises is occupied, he or she shall first present proper credentials and request entry; and if such building or premises is unoccupied he or she shall first make reasonable efforts to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If such entry is refused, the animal control officer or his authorized representative shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.

When the animal control officer or his or her authorized representative shall have first obtained a proper inspection warrant, no owner or occupant or any other person having charge, care or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper request is made, to permit entry by the animal control officer or his or her authorized representative for the purpose of inspection or performance of his or her duties pursuant to this title.

(Ord. 804B § 2(part), 2006)

6.08.080 - Summary action.#

Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, if in the judgment of the animal control officer:

1. There is an immediate threat to the health or safety of any person or animal, the animal control officer may enter upon a building or premises to abate the same.

2. An animal at large is found to be unfit, dangerous, injured or ill and should be destroyed, the animal control officer may, at any time, in a humane manner, destroy such animal.

(Ord. 804B § 2(part), 2006)