Calaveras County Municipal Code Ch. 6.06 Administration

There shall be a director of animal services of the county who shall be appointed by the county executive officer. Nothing in this chapter shall limit the environmental health agency administrator from serving as the director of animal services.

(Ord. 2641 (part), 2001).

(Ord. No. 3198, § 1, 2-27-2024)

The duties of the director shall include, but are not limited to all of the following:

A. Those duties as prescribed by the laws of the state, including Sections 121575 through 121710 of the California Health and Safety Code, Section 2606.4, Title 17, California Code of Regulations as directed by the health officer, Sections 597, 597a, 597e, 597f, 5971, 597s, and 597t of the California Penal Code and all sections of the California Food and Agriculture Code pertaining to domesticated dogs and cats.

B. The director shall collect all applicable fees for animal control activities as established by resolution of the board which are due and payable to the county in accordance with usual and customary accounting practices and procedures.

C. The director shall enforce the provisions of this title and applicable sections of state law in the unincorporated area of the county and in any city having an agreement with the county for such enforcement.

D. The director shall impound animals and/or issue citations for violations of this title and applicable provisions of state law.

E. The director shall operate an animal shelter on county premises with the furnishings, supplies and equipment provided by the board.

F. The director shall maintain the animal shelter in a clean and sanitary condition and ensure the humane treatment of all impounded animals pursuant to this title and all applicable state and federal laws.

G. The director shall provide for the reception, holding and disposition of dogs, cats, and other companion and domestic animals at the animal shelter or other appropriate facility.

H. The director shall keep accurate records on each animal taken up, medically treated, or impounded. Said records shall include all of the following:

1. The date the animal was taken up, impounded, medically treated, euthanized, or impounded;

2. The circumstances under which the animal was taken up, medically treated, euthanized, or impounded;

3. The name(s) of the person(s) who took up, medically treated, euthanized, or impounded the animal;

4. A description of any medical treatment provided to the animal and the name of the veterinarian of record;

5. The final disposition of the animal, including the name of the person(s) who redeemed, adopted, or euthanized the animal. Said records shall be maintained for a period of three years after the conclusion of the animal's impoundment.

I. The director may establish policies and procedures as deemed appropriate for the fulfillment of the purpose of this title.

(Ord. 2641 (part), 2001).

Animal control officers shall be authorized by the board and appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the director, and shall be under the direct supervision of the director. The director may delegate and assign any or all of his/her duties, responsibility and authority to any or all duly appointed animal control officers for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this title.

(Ord. 2641 (part), 2001).

A. The director shall have the authority to enter upon any premises at all reasonable times to make inspections for the purpose of enforcement of this title. If any such premises are occupied, the director shall first present proper credentials and request entry. If the premises are unoccupied, the director shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of such premises and request entry. If entry is refused or denied, the director shall have recourse to such remedies as are provided by law to secure entry.

B. The director may examine and enter upon all private premises for enforcement of Division 105, Part 6, Chapter 1, pursuant to Section 121625 of the California Health and Safety Code (rabies), whether consensual or not.

(Ord. 2641 (part), 2001).

The director shall have the authority, when in pursuit of an animal that is in violation of any provision of this title, to enter upon the property of the owner or a third person for the purpose of impounding the animal; provided that, in the course of such pursuit he/she shall exercise reasonable care to avoid causing damage to the property entered.

(Ord. 2641 (part), 2001).

The director is authorized to carry loaded firearms, except handguns, while acting in the course and scope of his/her employment as specified in Section 12031 of the California Penal Code.

(Ord. 2641 (part), 2001).

The director is authorized to employ the use of a capture gun or any such device commonly used to immobilize animals provided such devices are authorized for use in the state of California.

(Ord. 2641 (part), 2001).

The director is authorized to issue and/or enter citations for violations of this title and applicable state laws.

(Ord. 2641 (part), 2001).

The animal shelter shall be open for the redemption of impounded animals Wednesday through Saturday, except county-observed holidays. The hours of operation shall be conspicuously posted at the animal shelter. Hours of operation may be subject to change by the county administrative officer as set forth in Section 2.68.010 of this code.

(Ord. 2641 (part), 2001).

(Ord. No. 3009, § 1, 5-22-2012)

The health officer shall cause the animal shelter to be inspected no less often than annually and at such times as directed by the board. The health officer shall report the conditions of the animal shelter to the director and the board within ten days of said inspection.

(Ord. 2641 (part), 2001).

The director is authorized to enter into contracts with persons for impounding, transporting, and keeping of domestic animals within the county.

(Ord. 2641 (part), 2001).

The Director is authorized to conduct public education programs on responsible pet ownership.

(Ord. 2641 (part), 2001).