Buena Park Municipal Code Ch. 6.12 Impoundment

It is the duty of the animal control officer or a police officer of the city when the animal control officer is not on duty, to capture those dogs, cats and other animals when they are found or kept in violation of the provisions of this title. Upon capture, the animal control officer or police officer should, when possible and prudent, deliver the dog, cat or other animal to the person who is determined to be the owner or person responsible for the dog, cat or other animal. When it is not possible or prudent to return the dog, cat or other animal to the owner or responsible person, the animal should normally be taken to and lodged at the designated animal shelter. Nothing in this section prohibits the animal control officer or a police officer from issuing the owner or responsible person a citation for any applicable violation or the recovery of any legally established fees. The duty imposed by this section shall not be considered a mandatory duty for purposes of the California Tort Claims Act.

(Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)

It is the duty of the animal control officer or a police officer to deliver all sick and injured cats and dogs, found in a public place without their owners, to a veterinarian known by such officer or agency to be a veterinarian that ordinarily treats dogs and cats, for a determination of whether the animal shall be hospitalized under proper care and given emergency treatment, or promptly and humanely euthanized. The duty created pursuant to this section shall not be considered as a mandatory duty for purposes of the California Torts Claim Act. Nothing in this section prohibits the animal control officer or a police officer from issuing the owner or responsible person a citation for any applicable violation or the recovery of any legally established fees.

(Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)

Whenever animals are kept within any building or on any premises without food, water, or proper care and attention, the animal control officer or a police officer may enter the building or premises to remove and impound the neglected animals in accordance with the procedures provided by law. Nothing in this section prohibits the animal control officer or a police officer from issuing the owner or responsible person a citation for any applicable violation or the recovery of any legally established fees.

(Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)

Whenever the animal control officer is informed that a dog or wild animal has bitten a human being, or suspects that the animal is infected with rabies, he or she shall attempt to locate and confine such animal. At the discretion of the animal control officer, any animal which bites or otherwise possibly exposes a person to an infection shall be isolated in strict confinement in a place and manner approved by the animal control officer and observed for the proper term to assure that the animal has not been infected with the disease. All costs related to such confinement shall be the responsibility of the owner of the dog or animal.

(Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)

The animal control shelter shall keep a record of each animal impounded, the date of receipt of such animal, the date and manner of its disposal, and, if redeemed, reclaimed or sold, the name of the person by whom redeemed, reclaimed or purchased, the address of such person, and the amounts of all fees received or collected for or because of the impounding, reclaiming, or purchasing thereof, together with the number of any tag, and the date of any license exhibited or issued upon the redemption or sale of any such animal.

(Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)

For any dogs found running at large and impounded by the city or its representatives, the city shall charge and receive from the owner or responsible person fees for impounding and providing necessary care for the impounded animal as established per resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)

Any animal may be reclaimed by the owner or person entitled to its control before the sale or other disposition thereof by paying all fees and charges that have been incurred or accrued up to the time of reclamation. Any and all fees may be waived by the animal control officer if the owner of a dog or a cat agrees to and does spay and/or neuter the animal in question; all surgery fees will be collected in lieu of redemption fees. Nothing in this section shall prevent the issuance of a citation or complaint for any violation of law.

(Ord. 1542 § 2, 2010)