Alturas Municipal Code Art. VIII Irresponsible Owner

Any owner or keeper of an animal will be determined an irresponsible owner ("irresponsible owner") when any of the following occurs:

(1) The owner is administratively cited for violations of this chapter on three separate occasions within a 36-month period.

(2) The owner's animal(s) are impounded for being off its owner's property in violation of any state or local law prohibiting the running at large of animals on three separate occasions within a 36-month period.

(3) The owner's animal harasses or intimidates persons on public property or private property that is not owned or controlled by its owner or keeper.

(4) The owner's animal is found at large while in estrus, on two separate occasions within a 36-month period.

(5) When unprovoked, the owner's animal has bitten or caused less than severe injury to another animal off its owner's property, on two separate occasions within the prior 36-month period.

(6) When unprovoked, the owner's animal has caused severe injury or death to another animal off its owner's property.

(7) Two or more of the owner's animals have been declared a public nuisance, potentially dangerous or vicious in a 36-month period.

(Ord. No. 527, § 1, 2-21-2023)

An owner meeting the criteria of an irresponsible owner is subject to the following penalties:

(1) A first offense will result in a fine of $500.00; the maximum fine will be set by the fee schedule as amended from time to time.

(2) A second offense will result in a fine of $1,000.00; the maximum fine will be set by the fee schedule as amended from time to time.

(3) A third offense will result in a fine of $1,500.00, and the irresponsible owner being unable to obtain any city license or permit to own, harbor, or maintain any animal within the city for a period of five years; the maximum fine will be set by the fee schedule as amended from time to time.

(Ord. No. 527, § 1, 2-21-2023)