California City Municipal Code Art. 1 Requirements

This Chapter deals with the care and control of animals.

The following terms are defined for the purposes of this Chapter:

"Dog" is a domesticated animal of the canine species.

"Cat" is a domesticated animal of the feline species.

"Owner" is a person who owns or has custody of an animal.

"Puppy" is a dog under the age of four (4) months.

"Stray dog" is a dog found in the City without a license tag.

(a) Dog owners shall:

(1) Obtain a license from the City;

(2) Restrain the animal with a leash not more than ten feet in length when the animal is not within an enclosed yard; and

(3) Vaccinate the animal.

(b) Animal owners shall:

(1) If the animal is confined, maintain the place of confinement in a clean and sanitary condition;

(2) Refrain from selling, bartering or giving away the animal from public property; and

(3) Refrain from depositing dead animals on public property.

(c) All persons shall:

(1) Report the whereabouts of animals suspected of having rabies and the whereabouts of animals in contact with animals suspected of having rabies.

(2) Report the whereabouts of animals which have bitten another animal or human.

(a) A puppy need not be licensed or vaccinated.

(b) A dog specially trained to aid and guide the movements of a sight-impaired person need not be restrained by a leash.

(a) Any person having knowledge of the whereabouts of an animal known to have or suspected of having rabies or of an animal of a species subject to rabies which has been in intimate contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, shall report the facts immediately to the Animal Control Officer who shall notify the local health officer.

(b) Any animal which has bitten a person or has otherwise exposed a person to possible contact with rabies shall be dealt with by the Animal Control Officer in the same manner as the local health officer is authorized to act by the California Code of Regulations.

A person having knowledge of the biting of a person or another animal by a rabid or suspected rabid animal shall immediately report the facts to the Animal Control Officer who shall notify the local health officer.

Any person having knowledge of the whereabouts of an animal known to have or suspected of having rabies or of an animal of a species subject to rabies which has been in intimate contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, shall report the facts immediately to the Animal Control Officer who shall notify the local health officer.

(a) During such period of time as the City is within an area declared to be rabies areas by the State Department of Health, any person having knowledge of the biting of a person by an animal subject to rabies, shall immediately report the facts to the Animal Control Officer who shall notify the local health officer, and the biting animal shall be isolated in accordance with California Code of Regulations.

(b) In determining whether or not a dog is vicious, the Animal Control Officer shall be guided by the following:

(1) Whether or not the dog has bitten any person at any time other than the occasion which gives rise to the original classification as vicious;

(2) Circumstances surrounding the occasion indicating the temper or ferocity of the dog;

(3) The reputation of the dog in the community in regard to its temper and ferocity; and

(4) Its general menace to the public.

(c) The provisions of this section shall be operative even though the dog in question has been vaccinated and licensed as required by this Chapter.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation owning, possessing or controlling any dog, cat, fowl, reptile, pet or any animal of any kind to permit the pen, cage, yard or other facilities in which such animal is kept and maintained to accumulate dropping, food, garbage, refuse or any other matter so as to cause flies, odors or other noxious, or unsanitary conditions to exist, or to allow any pen, cage, yard or other facilities in which such animal is kept to be maintained in any condition which is dangerous to the health or safety of any person.

Except as permitted herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to display, sell, offer for sale, barter or give away, upon any street, sidewalk, or other public place in the City, as pets or novelties, any cat, dog, fish, fowl, reptile, rodent, or other live animal. The display, advertising for sale, or sale of such live animals legally for sale in or at licensed pet shops, kennels, aviaries, fish hatcheries or for sale at ranches or stables is permitted.

It shall be unlawful for any owner or person, having had the possession or control of any animal while alive, to place the body of such animal after its death, or cause or permit it to be placed, or to knowingly allow or permit the dead animal to remain in or upon any public street, alley, sidewalk, lane, or other public place. The Animal Control Officer shall order the owner or person who had the possession or control of such animal while alive to bury or destroy the dead animal placed on public streets, alleys, sidewalks, or other public places within the City.