Fillmore Municipal Code Ch. 9.04 General

It shall be the duty of the animal services director to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of:

(1) All dogs or livestock licensed, impounded, or sold;

(2) All animal bite cases reported and the results of the investigations thereof;

(3) All moneys received.

The records shall be open to inspection by the public at all reasonable times.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

For the purposes of this title, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Animal control department" and "department of animal control" mean the animal control section of the environmental health division of the environmental resource agency of the County of Ventura.

"Animal control officer" means any city or county officer or employee or agent who is authorized to issue citations for violations of the city's code provisions pertaining to animal welfare and control.

"Animal shelter" means any dog pound or shelter, animal pound, temporary animal pound or shelter, or animal shelter services vehicle owned or operated by the county.

"County health officer" means the Ventura County Health Officer and any duly appointed deputy thereof including the animal services director and his or her deputies.

"Director of the animal control department" and "animal services director" mean the principal sanitarian in charge of the animal control section of the environmental health division of the environmental resource agency of the county, and any duly appointed deputy of said principal sanitarian. Any references in this title to "poundmaster" shall mean the animal services director.

"Division" means the Ventura County Animal Control Services division.

A dog "runs at large" when it is upon private property without the permission of the person owning or occupying the property, or when it is upon public property, or a common area and is not upon a leash.

A person "harbors" an animal when he or she feeds or shelters the animal.

A person is the "owner" of an animal when he or she has legal title to the animal or has the legal right to possession and use of the animal within the meaning of Civil Code Section 654, or is deemed to be the owner in accordance with Section 4468-1, subdivision (c), because such person has been the finder and keeper of a stray domestic animal that has not been claimed within thirty days.

"Livestock" includes animals, including, but not limited to, fowl, horses, mules, burros, asses, cattle, llamas, emu, ostriches, sheep, goats, swine, or other farm animals, excluding dogs or cats.

Livestock "runs at large" when upon private property without the permission of the person owning or occupying the property, or when upon public property and not under the immediate control of a responsible person capable of controlling such animal.

"Tax collector" means the Ventura County Tax Collector and any duly appointed deputy thereof.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 1, 5-24-2022)

In any prosecution for a violation of any provision of this title, the burden of producing evidence to establish any of the exemptions provided herein shall, in the first instance, be upon the defendant.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

In addition to such other authority as may be provided by law, the animal services director and animal control officers and his or her deputies are hereby designated as public officers and employees and are authorized to make arrests according to Penal Code Section 836.5 for the purpose of enforcing and carrying out the provisions of this title. The animal services director and such animal control officers' deputies that the animal services director may designate are further authorized to carry and use weapons and tranquilizer equipment issued by the division while actually engaged in the performance of their duties.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 2, 5-24-2022)

The council or county board of supervisors may, by resolution, establish rates and charges for services rendered by the animal services director for which no rate or charge is designated in this title.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 3, 5-24-2022)

Whenever a notice is required to be given under this title, unless different provisions are otherwise specifically made herein, such notice may be given either by personal delivery thereof to the person to be notified, or by deposit in the United States mail in a sealed envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to such person to be notified, at his last known business or residence address as the same appears in the public records or other records pertaining to the matter to which such notice is directed. Service by mail shall be deemed to have been completed at the time of deposit in the post office.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

Proof of giving any notice may be made by the certificate of any officer or employee of the county, or by affidavit of any person over the age of eighteen years, which shows service in conformity with this title or other provisions of law applicable to the subject matter concerned.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)