Beaumont Municipal Code Ch. 6.04 Dogs and Cats—general Provisions

No dog shall run at large in the City. No person owning or having the control or custody of any dog shall permit or allow such dog to run at large within the City.

(Ord. 960, 10/20/09; §1)

In the interest of public health and safety, it shall be lawful for any person to capture, in a humane manner, any dog running at large in violation of this Title and to promptly deliver such dog to the Animal Services Officer who shall impound such dog.

(Ord. 960, 10/20/09; § 1)

It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, harbors, or keeps any unaltered cat four months of age or older within the City to allow or permit such unaltered cat to be or remain outdoors within the City.

(Ord. 960, 10/20/09; § 1)

It is unlawful for any person to set or maintain an operating trap for a cat unless a sign is posted on the property stating that such a trap is in use on the property. The sign shall be clearly visible from the road serving the property on which the trap is set or maintained and shall remain posted and visible at all times while the trap is in use. Trapping shall not continue for more than ten days in a 30-day period. If a person maintains a trap should trap a lactating female cat, the person shall immediately release the cat thereby eliminating the chance of removing a cat that may be nursing kittens. This section shall not apply when the trap is being used for rabies control as determined by the Animal Services Officer.

(Ord. 960, 10/20/09; § 1)

No person shall permit or allow an animal to make a nuisance on any public property or any private property without consent of the owner of the property.

(Ord. 960, 10/20/09; § 1)

Persons with defective sight, while relying on a dog specifically trained as a service dog, shall be exempt from this section.

(Ord. 960, 10/20/09; § 1)

No person shall allow or permit any dog belonging to, or under the control of such person to enter, swim or remain in any drainage ditch within the City, or in any settling tank, ditch, canal or reservoir within the City, or any public swimming pool within the City.

(Ord. 960, 10/20/09; § 1)

It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any dog or dogs under his or her charge, care, custody or control to emit any excessive noise after an Enforcement Officer has issued a written notice advising the owner or custodian of the alleged noise and the procedures as set forth below have been followed. For purposes of this section, the term "excessive noise" shall mean noise which is unreasonably annoying, disturbing, offensive, or which 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 dog or dogs are kept. The noise must be continuously audible for ten minutes or intermittently audible for 30 minutes within a three-hour period. However, the provisions of this section shall not apply to any commercial animal establishment permitted by zoning law where located. Enforcement of the provisions of this section shall be as follows:

A. First Complaint.

1. Upon receiving a written complaint involving a whining, barking, howling, or similar dog noise, the Enforcement Officer shall issue a written notice to the owner or person having charge, care, or custody (hereinafter in this Section referred to as the owner) of the dog or dogs advising that person of the noise complaint and requesting immediate abatement of any excessive noise.

2. Complaints to the Enforcement Officer must include the name, address and telephone number of the complainant(s) as well as the address of the dog owner and a description of the noise.

B. Second Complaint. If, within 15 days from the issuance of the written notice pursuant to (a) above, a second complaint is received from the complainant along with a written complaint from an additional complainant residing in a separate residence within reasonable proximity to the dog(s), the Enforcement Officer shall, by written notice, require the complainant or complainants and the owner of the dog or dogs to appear at a meeting by the Enforcement Officer to discuss possible ways and means to resolve the problem. The Enforcement Officer may proceed with a meeting based on a second complaint from only one complainant if the Officer determines that the noise affects that complainant. If the problem remains unresolved, the owner shall be deemed to have violated the provisions of this Section, and in the discretion of the Enforcement Officer, the Enforcement Officer may:

1. Seize and impound the dog(s) if the Enforcement Officer has reasonable grounds to believe that prompt action is required to protect the health or safety of the animal(s) or the health and safety of others and provide the owner with an opportunity for a post-seizure hearing as provided in Section 6.08.050; or

2. Where the need for immediate seizure is not present, the Enforcement Officer shall provide the owner with an opportunity for a hearing prior to any seizure in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.08.060, or

3. Issue to the owner an Administrative Citation pursuant to Sections 1.17.200 et seq., or an Infraction Citation pursuant to Section 1.16.010. In either case, the amount of the fine shall be the appropriate amount set forth in Section 1.16.030 of the Beaumont Municipal Code. Each violation shall be deemed a separate offense as specified in Section 1.16.040.

(Ord. 1012, February 21, 2012)

Any person or business using the services of a guard or sentry dog shall keep posted in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance of the premises, a sign having letters at least three inches in height reading "Guard Dog or "Sentry Dog."

(Ord. 960, 10/20/09; § 1)

The Department shall make available for residents cat traps and barking control devices for rental for a fee and term as set by resolution.

(Ord. 960, 10/20/09; § 1)