Chapter 6.12 — ANIMAL CONTROL REGULATIONS GENERALLY

It is unlawful for any person to keep, maintain or permit on any lot or parcel of land any dogs, cats, poultry, fowl, or household pets which, by any sound or cry, shall disturb the peace and comfort of any neighborhood.

(Prior code § 6-1.07)

Whenever it shall be affirmed in writing, by three or more persons living in separate dwelling units in the neighborhood, that any dog, cat, or household pet is an habitual nuisance by reason of frequent, persistent, or long-

continued howling, barking, or other noise, or is in any other manner causing undue annoyance, by reason of chronic leash law violations or unsanitary conditions that shall constitute a public nuisance, the department, through investigation, if it finds such public nuisance to exist, shall serve written notice upon the owner or custodian that the public nuisance shall be abated or the animal shall be impounded in a legal manner. If the nuisance and annoyance is not successfully abated, as affirmed in writing by the original petitioner(s), the department shall present the results of the investigation of such nuisance to the officer responsible for prosecution within the jurisdiction wherein such nuisance is being maintained.

(Prior code § 6-1.08)

It is unlawful for any owner or person, who having had the possession or control of any dog, cat, or household pet that has died, to place the body of any dog, cat, or household pet, after its death, or cause to permit it to be placed or to knowingly allow or permit it to remain in or upon any public road, highway, street, alley, square, park, school ground, or other public place, or in or upon any lot, premises or property of another.

(Prior code § 6-1.09)

It shall be the duty of the department, upon the request of any owner of any dead dog, cat, or household pet which was kept or maintained in the county immediately prior to its death, or upon the request of any person or persons discovering a dead dog, cat, or household pet upon his or her premises or upon any public road, highway, street, alley, square, park, school ground or other public place, or in or upon any lot or premises, to forthwith bury or dispose of the animal in such manner as may be prescribed by the law. The department may charge and collect fees for the transportation and disposal of the dog, cat, or household pet from the owner or person having had possession or control of the animal, if same can be ascertained.

(Prior code § 6-1.10)

No person shall allow or permit animals or poultry they own to run at large upon any public street or place or to trespass upon the property of another. This provision shall not be construed as permitting the running at large of any household pets who are restricted by the provisions of this title or by any law applicable thereto.

(Ord. 556 § 2L, 2004: prior code § 6-1.58)

A.

Unsanitary Conditions. No person shall keep upon any premises any animals, poultry, or household pets in a foul, offensive, obnoxious, filthy or unsanitary condition.

B.

Property Maintenance. Where it is determined by the city or by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board that an area used by animals is affecting water quality, the city will require the property owner or authorized representative to implement measures, which may include installation of preclusionary devices, to eliminate the pollution and prevent the migration of waste components to the storm drain system. Installation of devices or implementation of measures may require permits from the city or other regulatory agency. Installation, maintenance and permitting of any such device or measure are the sole responsibility of the property owner.

C.

Feeding Near Water Bodies. No person shall feed feral animals, or deposit or leave any foodstuff of any kind or nature within one hundred feet of a lake or creek, except in a trash receptacle provided for that purpose.

D.

Domesticated Animal Waste. All persons owning, possessing, in control of, or otherwise responsible for an animal, must promptly collect, pick up and remove all fecal matter left by the animal on public or private lands. Animals in agricultural areas are not covered under this subsection if the area complies with subsection B of this section or is covered under separate regulation.

(Prior code § 6-1.59)

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-24-2012)

The department shall provide all animals in his or her custody with proper food and water and shall give them all necessary care and attention. The department shall charge a fee at the time an impounded animal is redeemed by its owner or person having custody or may charge these fees at such time an unclaimed animal is sold.

(Prior code § 6-1.31)

All persons bitten and the parents or guardians of minor children bitten by a dog, cat, skunk, fox, bat, coyote, bobcat, or other animal of a species subject to rabies shall notify the department within twenty-four (24) hours of the next department business day. Physicians treating such bites and other persons having knowledge of such bites shall also be required to make such notification.

(Ord. 556 § 2M, 2004: prior code § 6-1.32)

Whenever the owner or person having the custody or possession of an animal shall observe or learn that such animal shows symptoms of rabies or acts in a manner which would lead to a reasonable suspicion it may have rabies, the owner, or person having the custody or possession of such animal, shall immediately notify the department. The department shall make or cause an inspection or examination of such to be made by a licensed veterinarian until the existence or nonexistence of rabies in such animal is established by the veterinarian. Such animal shall be kept isolated in a pound, veterinary hospital, or other adequate facility in a manner approved by the department and shall not be killed or released for at least ten (10) days after the onset of symptoms suggestive of rabies, after which time the dog or other animal may be released by the department, provided the department has first determined that the animal does not have rabies. If the department determines that the dog or other animal does have rabies, the department shall destroy the animal.

The chief animal control officer, or his or her duly authorized representative, is authorized and empowered to enter, in a manner authorized by law, upon private property where any dog or other animal is kept, or believed to be kept, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the dog or other animal is afflicted or infected with rabies or other contagious disease.

(Prior code § 6-1.36)