Grass Valley Municipal Code Ch. 6.12 Animal Control Regulations Generally

It is unlawful for any person owning, or having possession, charge, custody or control of any dog to cause, permit or allow such dog to stray, run or in any manner to be at large in or upon any public street, sidewalk or park, or upon any unenclosed lot or land, or any public place; provided, the term "at large" as defined in Section 6.08.010 shall not be deemed to apply where the following circumstances prevail:

A. Where a dog is being shown or participating in a dog show for which a permit has been granted by the director of animal control, and while such dog is being shown and participating under the control of the owner or custodian of such dog;

B. Where in an area that has been set aside and designated as a dog exercise area in the city by the city council, and a dog is being run or exercised in such area under the control of the owner or custodian of such dog.

(Ord. 459 § 19, 1991: prior code § 2-28)

When any condition prohibited by this section or Sections 6.12.010, 6.16.110, 6.16.120 is found to exist, the director of animal control or designee is authorized, except when such condition occurs on the owner's premises, to impound such dog in the city animal shelter, and subject to the prior approval of the city attorney, to institute abatement proceedings against the owner of such dog in the manner provided by law.

A. If any such condition occurs on the owner's premises, the director of animal control or other designee is authorized, subject to the prior approval of the city attorney, to institute abatement proceedings against the owner of such dog in the manner provided by law.

B. The remedy provided in this section is nonexclusive and may be pursued singularly or concurrently with any penal process provided for any violation of any provision of this title, or state law.

(Prior code § 2-31)

In the event it is necessary for the director of animal control or designee to cause the impoundment of any large quadruped domestic animal or any other animal as defined in this chapter, there shall be collected from the owner of such animal, in addition to all other fees, a capture fee which shall be the actual cost of the capture, including but not limited to, the salaries of the city personnel.

(Prior code § 2-34)

A. When the director of animal control, under the provisions of this chapter, has impounded any animal for at least seventy-two hours and the animal has not been redeemed, the director of animal control shall be free to dispose of such animal. If, in the opinion of the director of animal control, the value of the animal will exceed the expense of keeping it, he shall advertise in the official newspaper that such animal is for sale. If the animal is not redeemed prior to the sale, the animal shall be sold for cost to the highest bidder.

B. The director of animal control services may not transfer title to any animal to any institution engaged in the diagnosis or treatment of human or animal diseases, or in research for the advancement of veterinary, dental, medical or biological science, or in the testing or diagnosis, improvement or standardization of laboratory specimens, biologic products, pharmaceutical products or drugs.

C. When any animal is impounded, the owner or any person interested in the animal may redeem the animal upon paying to the director of animal control services a fee as determined and set by resolution of the city council, together with a further sum that is equal to the actual cost per day for the keep of such animal for each day such animal is impounded. If the animal has been offered for sale through public advertising, the owner or the person redeeming such animal shall pay the advertising costs in addition to the redemption fees set forth in this title. The director of animal control shall transmit such fees to the finance director.

(Prior code § 2-35)

It is declared a nuisance and no person shall suffer or permit any allowed birds and/or fowl, owned or controlled by him or it, to run or fly at large or go upon the premises of any other person in the city. Fowl may only be kept with a valid use permit in the zone permitted in the zoning code of the city. The keeping of fowl is subject to the development standards as stipulated in the zoning code.

(Prior code § 2-36)

It is unlawful for any person, firm, association, corporation or entity to own, possess or harbor any animal other than a dog including fowl which howls, barks, meows, squawks or makes other sounds during the day or night at frequent and/or extended periods of time so as to be a nuisance to one or more persons occupying a house or houses in any immediate neighborhood thereby preventing such person or persons from the comfortable enjoyment of their homes.

(Prior code § 2-37)

Every veterinary surgeon practicing in the city shall immediately report, in writing, to the health officer every case of contagious pleuro-pneumonia, tuberculosis, foot and mouth disease, anthrax, Texas fever, actinomycosis, glanders, farcy or hydrophobia with which any animal he shall treat or examine in the city shall be affected.

(Prior code § 2-47)

It is unlawful for a person to bring into the city or keep within the city, or permit to be kept on any premises owned or controlled by him within the city, any cow, calf or any other animal afflicted with tuberculosis.

(Prior code § 2-48)

The health officer and his representatives are empowered under such regulations as such officer may determine to cause the destruction of any animal found in the city afflicted with tuberculosis or horse afflicted with glanders.

(Prior code § 2-49)

Every person maintaining a commercial building, structure or premises, where animals are kept for commercial purposes, shall cause a notice, framed and enclosed under glass, containing the names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons to be notified during any hour of the day or night who will proceed immediately to the location so as to permit entry to the premises by representatives of the director of animal control to be posted on the premises near the entrance, the notice to be in such a position as to be legible from the sidewalk or ground level adjacent to the building.

(Prior code § 2-51)

No person shall stake out, herd or graze any animal upon any unenclosed lot or land in any manner so that the animal may be or go beyond the boundary of such lot or land.

(Prior code § 2-52)

It shall be a violation of this chapter, in addition to any other laws, rules or regulations, to allow any animal to go without food, water or proper care. Whenever animals are kept within any building or on any premises without food, water or proper care or any attention, it shall be the duty of any director of animal control or designee, to enter the building or premises to take possession of, remove and impound the animals so abandoned or neglected.

A. Cleanliness of Premises Where Animals are Kept. Every person owning or occupying premises where any animals are kept, shall at all times keep the area in a clean and sanitary condition.

B. Size of Facilities. All rooms, cages, kennels, runs and primary enclosures in which any animal is kept shall be of sufficient size to adequately allow the animal to exercise as specified by the rules and regulations established by the director of animal control.

C. Food and Water. Every owner or animal keeper shall supply each animal, food and water daily. The food shall be free from contamination, wholesome, palatable and of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to meet the normal daily requirements for the condition and size of the animal as specified by a veterinarian.

D. Treatment of Sick or Injured Animals. Any animal requiring medical attention shall be taken to a veterinarian for examination or treatment at the owner's or animal keeper's expense if the director of animal control or designee finds that this is necessary in order to maintain the health of the animal.

E. Transportation of Animals. Any animal while in transport by vehicle within the city shall be restrained by a leash, chain, rope, enclosure or other device of sufficient strength and stability to ensure that the animal does not escape from the vehicle.

F. Animal Restraints. When a chain, rope or other restraint is used to tether an animal, it shall be so placed or attached that it cannot become entangled with the chain of any other animal or with any other object. It shall be affixed by means of a well-fitted collar, and shall be at least four times the length of the animal as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail and shall allow the convenient access to food, water and shelter adequate to protect the animal from the elements.

(Prior code § 2-53)

No person shall place, leave or expose, in any place accessible to birds, fowls, domestic animals, dogs, cats or other such animals with the intent to kill or harm such birds, fowls or animals, any poisonous substance or ingredient, or any edible or any other substance or ingredient which has in any manner been treated or prepared with any poisonous substance or ingredient.

(Prior code § 2-54)

No person shall kill any songbird or destroy or rob the nest of any such bird.

(Prior code § 2-55)

It is unlawful to keep within the city any animal of any species for any purpose except where specifically permitted in a particular zone by provisions of the zoning laws of the city. This provision does not apply to the riding or transporting of animals through the city.

(Prior code § 2-56)