El Cajon Municipal Code Ch. 6.12 Dogs—general Provisions

For the purposes of Sections 6.08.060 through 6.08.090 and Chapters 6.12 through 6.20, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

"At large"

means whenever a dog is elsewhere than on the premises of the owner or other person having the custody or control of such dog and is not restrained by a leash less than ten feet in length, under the control of a person capable of controlling such dog.

"Cat"

means a female, as well as male or neuter cat. A litter of kittens less than four months of age shall not be included in computing the number of cats provided in Sections 6.08.060 through 6.08.090 and Chapters 6.12 through 6.20.

"Dog"

means a female as well as a male or neuter dog. A litter of pups less than four months of age shall not be included in computing the number of dogs provided in Sections 6.08.060 through 6.08.090 and Chapters 6.12 through 6.20.

"Kennel"

means any lot or parcel or land or place where three or more dogs or cats of four months of age or older are confined, treated, boarded, housed or cared for and also any lot, part of land or place where a person engages in, conducts, manages or maintains a veterinary business, pet shop or small animal hospital, regardless of the number of animals treated, kept, confined, boarded or cared for.

(Prior code § 5-15; Ord. 4031 § 3, 1987; Ord. 4528, 1997)

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.

(Prior code § 5-17; Ord. 4031 § 3, 1987)

A private citizen may capture and hold any dog found running at large in violation of Chapters 6.12 through 6.20. A private citizen who captures and holds any dog found running at large in violation of Chapters 6.12 through 6.20, shall notify the chief of police or other authorized employee who shall see that such dog is picked up and impounded.

(Prior code § 5-18; Ord. 3808 § 3, 1984)

Unless permitted under Section 17.70.040, no person shall keep, house, confine or maintain more than two adult dogs in any place in the city, other than in a kennel. Under no circumstances shall a person keep more than three adult dogs.

(Prior code § 5-19; Ord. 4528, 1997)

No person shall maintain, have or operate a kennel in or upon any property within the city unless such property is zoned for such purpose.

(Prior code § 5-20)

All kennels shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition at all times, and shall be sprayed at least once a week with insecticide of sufficient strength to kill flies, fleas, ticks, and other similar insects.

(Prior code § 5-21; Ord. 4031 § 3, 1987)

No person shall keep, conduct or operate any kennel without a license as may be required under this code and other applicable law.

(Prior code § 5-22; Ord. 4528, 1997)

No person in custody and control of a dog shall allow such dog to defecate or to urinate on public property or any improved private property other than that of the owner or person having control of the dog. It shall be the duty of all persons having control of a dog to curb such dog in order to carry out the intent of this section. The failure to do so or to immediately remove any feces to a proper receptacle constitutes a violation of this section. Unsighted persons while relying on a guide dog shall be exempt from this section.

(Prior code § 5-23; Ord. 3991 § 2, 1986; Ord. 4031 § 3, 1987)

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.

(Prior code § 5-24)

No person shall interfere with, oppose or resist the public health officer or deputies, the chief of police or deputies, any police officer, or any special officer or designated employee of the city, while engaged in the performance of the duties prescribed by the provisions of Chapters 6.04 through 6.24.

(Prior code § 5-16; Ord. 3808 § 3, 1984)

It is unlawful for any person to willfully feed, touch without permission, tease, taunt, torment, strike, kick, mutilate, disable, or otherwise injure, or kill, or to interfere or meddle with any dog while such animal is being utilized by the police department, or any officer or employee thereof, in the performance of any function or duty of the department, or of such officer or employee.

(Ord. 3720 § 1, 1983)

No person shall transport or carry, on any public highway or public roadway, any animal in a motor vehicle unless the animal is safely enclosed within the vehicle or protected by a cab or container, secured cage, cross-tether, harness, or other device that will prevent the animal from falling from, being thrown from, or jumping from, the motor vehicle.

(Ord. 3989 § 1, 1986)

No person shall leave an animal in any unattended vehicle without adequate ventilation or in such a manner as to subject the animal to extreme temperatures which adversely affect the animal's health or welfare.

(Ord. 3989 § 1, 1986; Ord. 4555, 1997)

(Ord. 4555, 1997; Ord. 4750 § 2, 2003; repealed by Ord. 5143, 12/10/2024)