El Cajon Municipal Code Ch. 6.20 Dogs—impoundment

The chief of police, or designee, and every person employed by the city council for that purpose shall promptly seize, take up and impound all dogs that may be found running at large, harbored or owned contrary to the provisions of this title.

(Prior code § 5-42; Ord. 4528, 03/11/97)

All dogs running at large contrary to the provisions of this title shall be taken up and impounded or confined in a safe and comfortable place properly provided with food and water.

(Prior code § 5-43)

In the event that there is attached to any impounded dog a license tag of the city for the current year, it shall be the duty of the person so designated and employed by the city council for such purpose to give notice of the impounding of such dog to the owner or the person claiming to own such dog, or to the person to whom such tag shall have been issued, as shown by the records of the city.

(Prior code § 5-44)

The notice provided for in Section 6.20.030 shall be given by mailing to such person owning the impounded dog, postage prepaid, a notice in writing stating the fact that such dog has been impounded. Such notice shall be addressed to such person and address as shown by the city records.

(Prior code § 5-45)

The person designated and employed by the city council for such purposes shall keep confined as required by this chapter every impounded dog upon which a valid license tag is found for five days, unless such dog is sooner redeemed as provided in this chapter.

(Prior code § 5-46)

Every impounded dog upon which no valid license tag is found shall be confined for a period of three days, unless sooner redeemed.

(Prior code § 5-47)

A. The owner of an impounded animal not subject to abatement action may claim it prior to other legal disposition by providing legal photo identification, meeting all requirements and paying the applicable redemption fees. The current fee schedule shall be on file with the city clerk, and shall be in such amounts as the city council may set from time to time by resolution.

B. For each successive impound incident, the owner shall be charged an increased fee. Such increase attaches to the owner and will not be dependent upon the specific animal involved in the incident.

C. Upon redemption of any lawfully impounded animal found at large and without identification, the department may require the owner to pay for the implantation of microchip identification in addition to other redemption fees. The department retains discretion to waive this requirement if the owner objects to the microchip implantation.

(Prior code § 5-48; Ord. 3250 § 2, 1978; Ord. 4031 § 5, 1987; Ord. 4394, 1993; Ord. 4790 § 2, 2004)

Any person redeeming any dog impounded under this chapter shall also procure a rabies tag and license tag, if such tags have not been issued for such dog as provided in Sections 6.08.060 through 6.08.090 and Chapters 6.12 through 6.20.

(Prior code § 5-49)

Any person who brings an animal into the shelter for relinquishment shall provide his or her name and address. Owners may also request a field relinquishment for an additional charge and have an animal picked up at the owner's address. A fee shall be charged for each relinquished animal. The current fee schedule shall be on file with the city clerk, and shall be in such amounts as the city council may set from time to time by resolution.

Relinquished animals may be destroyed or adopted at the discretion of the chief of police or designee.

(Ord. 3250 § 3, 1978; Ord. 4394, 1993)

Every dog which is not redeemed within the time specified in this chapter shall be disposed of in the manner set forth in this chapter by the chief of police, or designee.

(Prior code § 5-50; Ord. 4528, 1997)

Each officer and person mentioned in Section 6.20.010 is authorized and empowered to cause the death of such dogs in a painless and humane manner, and to dispose of the bodies in accordance with the regulations of the director of public health, if in the judgment of such officer the same is necessary for the preservation of health and safety in the city.

(Prior code § 5-51)

In the event any animal impounded under the provisions of this chapter is not claimed by its owner within the time limits specified in this chapter, or is relinquished by its owner or custodian, the officer or person mentioned in Section 6.20.010 may, in lieu of destroying such animal, offer that animal for sale to the general public upon payment of an established fee. The current fee schedule shall be on file with the city clerk, and shall be in such amounts as the city council may set from time to time by resolution.

Sale for experimentation, resale, guard dog, or commercial uses is prohibited.

(Prior code § 5-52; Ord. 4031 § 5, 1987; Ord. 4394, 03/02/93)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as permitting the redemption of any dog having or suspected of having, or found afflicted with, rabies or hydrophobia.

(Prior code § 5-53)

In accordance with the provisions of the California Food and Agriculture Code Section 30503 and 31751, no cat or dog may be adopted unless the animal has actually been spayed or neutered or a spay or neuter deposit has been paid to the shelter. Animals under six months of age must be spayed or neutered within six months of adoption. Animals over six months of age must be spayed or neutered within 60 days of adoption. The amount of such deposit shall be kept on file with the city clerk, and shall be in such amounts as the city council may set from time to time by resolution.

Failure of an owner to provide proof of compliance within the established time limits will result in a forfeiture of the deposit. Such forfeiture does not relieve the owner of responsibility to comply with the intent of the legislation and provide proof of compliance or certification from a veterinarian that compliance is not feasible.

All dog or cat spay or neuter deposits shall be paid into the city treasury and shall be used for those purposes set forth in Sections 30503 and 31751 of the California Food and Agriculture Code.

(Ord. 4394, 03/02/93)