Chapter 8.08 — HUMANE OFFICER

(a)

The office of humane officer is established.

(b)

Except as limited in section 8.04.060, the office of humane officer may be held by a "humane officer," as defined by California Corporation Code § 14502 or by an animal control officer employed by either the city or by a public pound, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or humane society under a valid contract with the city for the provisions of animal control services.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.010; Ord. No. 167, § 2.01(part), 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(a), 1969; Ord. No. 883-2011, § 2, 7-18-2011)

The humane officer and his deputies, while engaged in the execution of their duties, shall wear in plain view a badge having, in the case of the humane officer, the term "humane officer," and in the case of the deputy humane officer, the term "deputy humane officer" engraved thereon.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.020; Ord. No. 167, § 2.01(a), 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(a), 1969)

The humane officer shall keep a record of the number of all animals impounded, showing in detail in the case of each animal the description, dates of receipt, the date and manner of disposal, the name of the person redeeming or purchasing, and the fees and charges and proceeds of sales received on account thereof, and such additional records as may be required by the city manager.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.040; Ord. No. 167, § 2.01(c), 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(a), 1969)

There shall be provided by the city a suitable building or enclosure to keep and safely hold all animals herein enumerated which are subject to be impounded which shall be known and designated as the animal shelter.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.050; Ord. No. 167, § 2.02, 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(a), 1969)

(a)

It shall be the duty of the humane officer to take up, impound and safely keep any of the animals enumerated in chapters 8.04 through 8.12 found running at large, staked, tied or being herded or pastured in any street, lane, alley, court, square, park or other place belonging to or under the control of the city, or upon any property in the city contrary to the provisions of chapters 8.04 through 8.12.

(b)

Any person may deliver any animal to the humane officer or a deputy humane officer to be disposed of or euthanized in a humane manner at the discretion of the humane officer. The fee for such disposition may be set by the humane officer with the approval of the city manager in order to compensate the city or its agents for the costs of such service.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.060; Ord. No. 167, § 2.03, 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(a), (c), 1969)

When any animal is so impounded, it shall be provided with proper and sufficient food and water by the humane officer.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.070; Ord. No. 167, § 2.04, 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(a), 1969)

The humane officer shall immediately, upon impoundment of licensed dogs or other animals, make every reasonable effort to notify the owners of the licensed dogs or other animals impounded, and inform the owners of the conditions whereby they may regain custody of the animals.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.080; Ord. No. 167, § 2.05, 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(a), 1969)

(a)

The owner of any impounded animal shall have the right to reclaim it at any time prior to the lawful disposition thereof upon payment to the humane officer of the costs and charges herein provided in chapters 8.04 through 8.12, for the impounding and keeping of the animals. Such costs and charges include any license fee, penalties, impound fees, board and care charges, veterinarian fees, medications and other charges incurred in the interests of the health and safety of the animals.

(b)

No person may remove any impounded animal from the animal shelter or vehicle operated by the humane officer or a deputy humane officer without the consent of such humane officer or deputy humane officer.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.090; Ord. No. 167, § 2.06, 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(a), (d), (e), 1969)

No person shall fail or refuse to exhibit the registration of any animal required to be licensed by chapters 8.04 through 8.12 when required to do so by the humane officer.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.100; Ord. No. 167, § 2.07, 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(a), 1969)

It is the duty of the humane officer to enforce any other sections of chapters 8.04 through 8.12 whether enumerated as a duty or not.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.110; Ord. No. 167, § 2.08, 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(a), 1969)

No person shall interfere with the humane officer or his deputies in the performance of their official duties.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.120; Ord. No. 167, § 2.09, 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(a), 1969)

The city council shall by resolution, establish a schedule of impound fees and care and feed charges for impounded animals. The owner of any animal apprehended or impounded by the animal control officer or other public safety personnel, pursuant to this title, whether the animal is claimed or unclaimed by the owner, shall be liable for and shall pay to the city the established impound fees, care and feeding charges, together with any additional charges or fees levied by the city for the purpose of defraying expenses incurred by the city related to the apprehension of said animal, or to ensure compliance with other provisions of this title.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.130; Ord. No. 167, § 2.10, 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(a), (f), 1969; Ord. No. 373, § 2, 1972; Ord. No. 796, § 1, 2004)

The humane officer shall be the agent for the city in the collecting, accounting and disbursing of all sums collected by him and his deputies pursuant to the terms of this chapter. He shall file a monthly report with the city manager in a manner and form prescribed by the city manager.

(Code 1969, § 8.08.140; Ord. No. 167, § 2.11, 1967; Ord. No. 296, § 1(g), 1969)