Fillmore Municipal Code Ch. 9.12 Wild Animal Control

No person shall have, keep or maintain any wild animal or reptile unless adequate provisions are made for its confinement and control to ensure the maintenance of public peace, health and safety.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

A wild animal is an animal or reptile which is wild by nature and not customarily domesticated in Ventura County. This definition does not include birds, small rodents or small, nonpoisonous reptiles commonly used for educational or experimental purposes or as pets.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

The division may require adherence to rules and regulations for the United States Department of Agriculture and/or California Department of Fish and Wildlife or make rules regulating the size and type of cage or other means of confinement, the distance from the place of confinement to adjoining property, and any other regulations deemed reasonably necessary by the division or the county health officer to carry out the purpose of this chapter and to ensure the maintenance of humane, sanitary conditions and safety of persons and property. A copy of any/all rules and regulations adopted by the division shall be furnished upon request. In applying the regulations to a given situation, the department of animal control shall take into consideration the type, nature, disposition and training of the animal involved.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 52, 5-24-2022)

Any person failing to comply with any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation of the division or the county health officer made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter within ten days after notice of such rule or regulation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor/infraction. An animal control officer, as defined in Section 9.04.030, may issue an administrative citation assessing a civil penalty to such person in accordance with, and the person shall be subject to the administrative enforcement provisions set forth in Chapter 1.09 or Division 4, Chapter 4, Article 8 of the Ventura County Code.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 53, 5-24-2022)

Any person keeping or maintaining a wild animal that escapes from its confinement shall immediately notify the department of animal control of such escape.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

Wild animals found running loose may be impounded in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.09.080 of this title. However, neither the city nor its officers, agents or employees shall be liable for injury or disease to any animal incurred while said animal is being captured, transported or impounded. Wild animals, when found to be at large and injuring, damaging or threatening to injure or damage any person or property, will be deemed to be a public nuisance and may be summarily destroyed without liability resulting to the city, its officers, agents or employees. Reclamation by an owner or keeper of any impounded wild animal will be permitted upon the payment to the division of the actual cost to the department of the capture, impounding and care of such animal provided that all required county, state and federal permits are also obtained.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 54, 5-24-2022)

No person, organization, society, association or corporation shall import or shall release into the city any wild animal, whether indigenous to Ventura County or not, without a permit from the animal control department. The animal released shall be identified by an indelible number tattooed on the animal, and the persons, organization, society, association or corporation shall be responsible for damage inflicted by such animal.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

Every person who owns, harbors or keeps any wild animal shall obtain either a current wild animal license or wild animal facility license issued under the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 55, 5-24-2022)

The wild animal license and/or wild animal facility license required by this chapter may be obtained by making written application to the animal services director, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the animal services director that the applicant will comply with Section 9.12.010 and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 9.12.030 and paying the proper fees to the division.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 56, 5-24-2022)

The fee for the wild animal license required by this chapter shall be as prescribed by resolution of the council or county board of supervisors.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 57, 5-24-2022)

The license period for any wild animal license or wild animal facility license issued pursuant to this chapter shall be one year. Renewal shall be made only upon application and payment of the fee provided for the issuance of a license.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 58, 5-24-2022)

Any wild animal license or wild animal facility license issued under the provisions of this chapter may be revoked by the animal services director or the county health officer whenever, in his or her opinion, any one of the following conditions pertains:

(1) The animal is not kept or maintained in a sanitary or healthful condition;

(2) The animal is not provided with adequate care and supervision;

(3) The animal poses a threat to human life or safety;

(4) The animal poses a threat to personal property;

(5) The animal has in any way become a nuisance; or

(6) There is a violation of the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 9.12.030.

The revocation shall become effective immediately upon either the receipt of actual notice by the applicant or the end of the tenth day after written notice addressed to the applicant at the address shown on his or her application is deposited in the first class mail, return receipt requested, whichever shall first occur.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. 22-940, § 59, 5-24-2022)

The requirements of this chapter are in addition to, and not in limitation of, the provisions of any applicable zoning laws or ordinances. A license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall not operate to permit the harboring or keeping of wild animals in any zone where the use of land for such purposes is not permitted by the then-current zoning laws or ordinances, and shall cease to be valid whenever any such use becomes prohibited in the zone in which it is then located.

(Ord. 622 § 1 (part), 1989)