Alturas Municipal Code Art. III Duties of Ownership

An owner or custodian of an animal must provide that animal with adequate feed, water, shelter, exercise, and veterinary care. No owner or custodian of an animal can keep or permit to be kept upon any premises any animals in foul, offensive, obnoxious, filthy, or unsanitary conditions.

(1) An owner or custodian must, when ordered to do so by an animal control officer, provide care, feed, water, shelter, exercise, or veterinary care.

(2) An owner or custodian must, when ordered to do so by an animal control officer, clean or disinfect any stable, barn, stall, pen, coop, enclosure, building, or other place where any animal is kept, and/or any box, bin, or receptacle used for the accumulation of manure or waste.

(3) The provisions of this section are applicable to any place where domestic animals are kept, including animal shelters, pounds, dealers, pet shops, exhibitors, kennels, groomers, and boarding. An animal control officer or law enforcement officer may enter any of these facilities at any time during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to inspect such facility for compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

(4) Violations of this section will be grounds for immediate impoundment by the animal control officer.

(Ord. No. 527, § 1, 2-21-2023)

The parent or guardian of a minor is responsible for all actions required of an owner under this chapter. The parent or guardian, not the minor, will be liable for any violations of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 527, § 1, 2-21-2023)

No person may abandon any animal in any public place, including but not limited to the right-of-way of any public highway, road, or street, or on the property of another.

(Ord. No. 527, § 1, 2-21-2023)

An owner or custodian is responsible for immediately removing and properly disposing of their animal's feces by placing it in a closed or sealed container or bag and depositing it in a garbage receptacle. This section does not apply to guide, service, or signal dogs as defined by Cal. Civil Code, § 54.1. This section does not authorize any person to enter or allow their animal to enter upon the private property of another.

(Ord. No. 527, § 1, 2-21-2023)

No owner or custodian may allow any domestic animal under their control to run at large on public property or the private property of another.

(Ord. No. 527, § 1, 2-21-2023)

Owners and custodians must not allow their animals to habitually make excessive noise or act in such other manner as to constitute a public nuisance. For the purpose of this section, the term "excessive noise" means noise that is unreasonably annoying, disturbing, offensive, or unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property of one or more persons occupying property in the community or neighborhood, within reasonable proximity to the property where the animals are kept. Factors that animal control officer may use to determine whether the noise is excessive includes: (i) the nature, frequency and volume of the noise; (ii) the tone and repetitiveness; (iii) the time of day or night; (iv) the distance from the complaining or affected party or parties; (v) the number of neighbors affected by or complaining about the noise; (vi) any other relevant evidence demonstrating that the noise is unduly disruptive; and (vii) whether the animal is provoked.

(Ord. No. 527, § 1, 2-21-2023)

Every owner or custodian of an animal must provide adequate care and control of the animal to prevent it from becoming a public nuisance. Excessive, continuous, or untimely noise, chasing vehicles, attacking other domestic animals, being unattended while in heat, or trespassing upon school grounds or upon private or public property may be deemed a nuisance.

(Ord. No. 527, § 1, 2-21-2023)

No person is allowed to tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause a dog to be tethered, fastened, chained, tied, or restrained, to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object unless one of the following apply:

(1) The dog is attached to a running line, pulley, or trolley system by means other than a choke collar or pinch collar.

(2) The dog is tethered, fastened, chained, or tied pursuant to the requirements of a camping or recreation area.

(3) The dog is tethered, fastened, chained, or tied no longer than is necessary for the person to complete a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained for a reasonable period. In no event may this period be more than three hours in a 24-hour period.

(4) The dog is tethered, fastened, chained, or tied while actively engaged in conduct that is directly related to shepherding livestock or other agricultural activity if the restraint is necessary to accomplish such conduct.

Violations of this chapter are enforced in accordance with Cal. Health & Safety Code, § 122335.

(Ord. No. 527, § 1, 2-21-2023)

No person is allowed to leave an animal in any unattended vehicle without adequate ventilation or in such a manner as to subject the animal to extreme temperatures that adversely affect or have the potential to imminently affect the animal's health or welfare. If an animal is left unattended in violation of this division, any animal control officer, firefighter, fire marshal, or law enforcement officer is authorized to remove the animal from the vehicle if they determine the animal is being confined in a manner that is detrimental to its health and safety, and after making a reasonable attempt to contact the owner.

The animal will be impounded and taken to a veterinarian for any care needed and then placed at an animal shelter. A written notice will be left attached to the vehicle with the impounding officer's name, badge number, and contact information, as well as the time, date, and location where the animal is being held.

Any person who violates this division will be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by the city resulting from the violation, including, but not limited to, animal care and medical treatment, impound costs, and removal costs.

(Ord. No. 527, § 1, 2-21-2023)