Contra Costa County Municipal Code Art. 416-4.4 Restraint

(a) No person owning, possessing, harboring, or controlling an animal may allow the animal to be at large.

(b) As used in this section, an "at large" animal means any of the following:

(1) A dog that is on public property or common areas of private property and is not under effective restraint of a leash. A dog is not "under effective restraint of a leash" if the leash: (A) is not made of sufficient material and strength to restrain the dog; (B) is longer than six feet; (C) is extendable or retractable; or (D) is not held in a manner that prevents the dog from being at large or causing injury to another animal or person. A dog is not required to be under restraint by a leash if the dog is on private property owned by, or in the possession of, the person owning or controlling the dog.

(2) An animal other than a dog or a cat that is not in the immediate presence and under the effective control of a person.

(3) An animal that is tethered or leashed: (A) for longer than fifteen minutes on any street or other public place not set aside for tethering or leashing; or (B) in such a way as to block a public walkway or thoroughfare.

(4) An animal on private property or in any public building without the consent of the owner or occupant.

(5) An animal in any place or position with the capacity to injure persons or property.

(6) An animal that fights, bites, or causes harm to a person or other animal unless the person or other animal has entered, without permission, private property owned by or in the possession of the person owning or controlling the offending animal and the private property is properly fenced and posted as to the presence of the offending animal.

(7) An animal that: (A) is not on the private property owned by, or in the possession of, the person owning or controlling the animal; and (B) is not wearing a required license tag.

(8) An animal that is left at any place without provision for its care.

(c) Exemptions. A working, hunting, obedience, tracking, or show dog that is performing acts such as herding and is under the control and supervision of the dog's owner or handler is not "at large" while performing these acts. Dogs being exercised under the control of their owners in public areas designated for animal exercise are not at large.

(d) Females in Heat. In the case of female dogs or cats in heat and for the purposes of Food and Agricultural Code Section 30954, "at large" means outside a house, vehicle, or other secure enclosure adequate to prevent unplanned male access.

(e) Animals in Vehicles.

(1) A dog or other animal in or on a vehicle is deemed to be on the property of the vehicle's operator. Except as otherwise provided in Vehicle Code Section 23117, no dog or other animal may be transported on any public thoroughfare in a vehicle unless the dog or animal is: (A) totally enclosed within the vehicle; (B) within a secured container carried on the vehicle; or (C) securely cross-tethered to the vehicle to prevent the animal from falling out of or off the vehicle and to prevent injury to the animal.

(2) No dog or any other animal may be left completely enclosed in a parked vehicle without adequate ventilation, or left in such a way that subjects the animal to high temperatures that negatively affect the animal's health and welfare.

(Ords. 2021-13 § II, 4-27-21; Ord. 80-97 § 2).

No owner of an animal shall abandon it.

(Ord. 80-97 § 2).

No animal services officer shall act in violation of Government Code Section 53074.

(Ords. 83-10 § 2, 80-97 § 2).