Fowler Municipal Code Art. 3 Restriction on Numbers and Types of Animals; Prohibition of Animals at…

The maximum number of household pets allowed in a household or on any premises shall be four (4) animals in any combination. Of those four (4) animals, no more than two (2) may be potbellied pigs.

An Animal Regulations Officer may allow the occupant of the premises to maintain additional household pets on a temporary basis, and on such terms and conditions as the Animal Regulations Officer may require, if the Animal Regulations Officer determines that removal of the animal(s) would be dangerous to the health and well-being of the animal(s). Additional animals may also be allowed if the zoning requirements for the premises permit the operation of a kennel and the owner or occupant has obtained the necessary approvals to operate a kennel on the premises.

The keeping of household pets in excess of the maximum allowed herein shall be a violation of this section and considered to be the operation of a kennel subject to the City's zoning standards for kennels, which generally require that kennels be located within the M-1 Light Manufacturing Industrial District.

(Ord. No. 2011-06, § 1, 11-1-2011)

The keeping of Vietnamese potbellied pigs shall be in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) All Vietnamese potbellied pigs must be spayed or neutered prior to licensing.

(b) Vietnamese potbellied pigs are subject to the City's leash law.

(c) No more than two (2) Vietnamese potbellied pigs shall be permitted at any one single-family residence. Pigs are prohibited from any multiple-family dwelling.

(d) Vietnamese potbellied pigs in excess of twenty-two (22) inches in height or weighing over 120 pounds shall be prohibited.

(e) All Vietnamese potbellied pigs must show registration with a nationally recognized registry to assure that they are a potbellied pig and not an agricultural variety.

(f) All Vietnamese potbellied pigs shall be properly vaccinated prior to licensing as directed by the City.

(g) Vietnamese potbellied pigs shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from obnoxious smells and substances.

(Ord. No. 2011-06, § 1, 11-1-2011)

No person shall keep or maintain any farm animals except as follows:

(a) In connection with bona fide schools, colleges, universities, research organizations, and laboratories engaged in the field of scientific research and education;

(b) In a zone established by the zoning laws of the City where such animals are specifically permitted, provided there is compliance with such zoning laws relating to such animals.

(Ord. No. 2011-06, § 1, 11-1-2011)

No person shall own, have, keep or maintain in the City any wild, exotic, or nondomestic animal or reptile, except as follows:

(a) The City Council may, by resolution, grant a permit for the keeping or transporting in the City of any such animal solely for exhibition or experimental purposes under such conditions as may be imposed and for such a period of time as may be permitted, and in accordance with all applicable, Federal, State and local laws and regulations;

(b) Wild animals specifically allowed by the State Department of Fish and Game and in accordance with Department of Fish and Game regulations and permit conditions shall be allowed subject to the provisions of this chapter. Any permit required by the Department of Fish and Game for the keeping of any wild animal must be obtained by the owner and shown to any Animal Regulations Officer upon demand.

(Ord. No. 2011-06, § 1, 11-1-2011)

The keeping of reptiles is limited to turtles, lizards and snakes and excludes other reptiles such as crocodiles and alligators. It shall be unlawful for any person to own and keep within the City any reptile that is determined by an Animal Regulations Officer to be a nuisance or danger to persons or other animals.

(Ord. No. 2011-06, § 1, 11-1-2011)

No owner of any animal, except a cat which has been spayed or neutered, shall cause, permit, or allow any such animal to be at large in the City. A violation of this provision is an infraction. An animal that is at large three (3) or more times within any 365-day period shall be deemed a public nuisance and the owner shall remove the animal from the City incorporated limits. A failure to remove the animal in violation of this section is a misdemeanor. This section shall not apply to a dog in any leash free area of a park as authorized by the City Council.

(Ord. No. 2011-06, § 1, 11-1-2011 ; Ord. No. 2020-02, § 1, 4-21-2020)

Any animal which annoys or harasses persons or other animals, including neighbors, passersby or passing vehicles, damages private or public property, is allowed to run at large, or is allowed to defecate or urinate on public property or on private property without the consent of the owner shall be deemed a nuisance subject to abatement as follows:

(a) For non-continuing nuisances which do not require immediate correction, any Animal Regulations Officer may issue a written order to the owner of any offending animal directing that such nuisance be abated. In the order, the Animal Regulations Officer may direct the owner to take certain actions to prevent the nuisance from reoccurring. The order shall be delivered to the owner either by personal service, first class postage prepaid mail to the owner's last known address, or securely posted in a conspicuous place on the property where the animal is located. A failure to follow the directions of the Animal Regulations Officer in the order of abatement is a violation of this section. In addition, each and every day the nuisance exists after the service of the order shall be deemed a violation of this section. The animal may also be seized and impounded.

(b) For continuing nuisances which require immediate corrective action, any Animal Regulations Officer may issue an order to the owner to immediately abate the nuisance. The order may be made orally or in writing. If the owner is unavailable, or if the owner fails to comply with the order of the Animal Regulations Officer, the animal may be seized and impounded. A failure to follow the directions of the Animal Regulations Officer in the order of abatement is a violation of this section.

(Ord. No. 2011-06, § 1, 11-1-2011)