Hanford Municipal Code Ch. 6.24 Impounding Animals

A. The animal shelter, any animal control officer, or any peace officer, shall impound dogs which are found running at large within the incorporated area of the city whether or not they are wearing a license tag. When such a dog is taken up by an animal control officer or a peace officer, the officer shall, in the officer's reasonable discretion, have the option of delivering the animal to the animal shelter or maintaining the animal in a temporary holding cage if the dog is wearing a license tag and the owner takes possession of the animal during a period of time that the officer finds reasonable. All such dogs shall be impounded in the designated city animal shelter.

B. Any animal found running at large that poses a safety hazard may be impounded by animal control, and if the animal lacks a license tag, the animal will be taken to the animal shelter.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

A. The animal shelter, any animal control officer, or any peace officer shall have the power to summarily and immediately impound a dog or other animal where there is evidence it has attacked, bitten or injured any human being or other animal. The animal control officer or peace officer may enter and inspect private property to enforce the provisions of this section, provided such entry or inspection is conducted in a manner consistent with state and federal constitutional provisions. It is unlawful for any person to fail to surrender to the animal shelter, any animal control officer, or any peace officer, upon demand, a dog or other animal which is being impounded pursuant to this section.

B. Any dog or other animal impounded pursuant to this section may be permanently identified by the animal shelter, or designee, by means of photo identification and license number prior to release from impound or confinement.

C. The animal control officer and the owner of the animal impounded pursuant to this section, in addition to complying with this chapter and Chapter 6.16, shall also observe the provisions of Chapter 6.20 (pertaining to quarantine of animals suspected of being rabid).

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

It is unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog, cat, animal or household pet owned, harbored or controlled by them to violate any written quarantine notice. Any person who violates such written notice shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

Within two business days after an animal which is wearing a license tag is impounded under this chapter, the animal shelter, or designee, shall mail a notice of the impounding to the owner at the address shown on the application for the license which is on file with the animal control officer or city designee, and advise the owner of the procedure whereby he or she may apply to regain custody of the animal. The owner of an animal declared dangerous/vicious pursuant to Section 6.16.030 shall be notified pursuant to this section.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

A. The owner of any animal impounded, other than pursuant to Section 6.24.030 and Chapter 6.16, may, except as otherwise provided by law, redeem the animal at any time prior to its sale or destruction, and must do so in compliance with subsection C below.

B. The owner of any animal impounded pursuant to Section 6.24.030 may redeem the animal only upon written determination by a hearing officer, pursuant to Chapter 6.16, that the animal is not dangerous/vicious, or upon failure of the animal control officer to establish a hearing date pursuant to Section 6.16.030(D). In either case, the owner of the animal must apply for redemption in compliance with subsection C below.

C. A person desiring to redeem an animal shall deliver to the animal shelter an application for redemption and a statement in a form prescribed by the animal shelter which shall contain a description of the animal to be redeemed, the name and address of the claimant, and the statement that he or she is the owner of the animal to be redeemed. If the animal shelter determines that the animal may be redeemed pursuant to Subsection A or B above, the animal shelter shall issue to such person a written statement containing the name and address of the claimant, a description of the animal redeemed, the date on which the animal was impounded, and accrued fees, and said statement shall serve as a certificate of redemption and receipt for the fees paid.

D. Any animal impounded three or more times within a one year period will not be released to its owner unless: (1) the owner has his/her residence inspected by the animal control officer within 10 business days of the animal control officer's mailing of the impound notice the owner; and (2) the animal control officer finds that no deficiencies exist which would allow the animal to escape. As a condition of releasing such an animal to its owner, the owner must pay all fees and fines associated with the impoundment of his/her animal, including, without limitation, the housing and care of the animal. If the deficiencies are not corrected within such 10 business day period or the owner is unable to pay the required fees, the animal may be put up for adoption or humanely destroyed.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

The owner of an animal which has been impounded shall pay to the animal shelter an impounding fee as set by resolution of the city council in an amount to be recommended by the animal shelter.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

A. Unless an animal wearing a license tag has been redeemed within six business days after being impounded, or unless it is being held pending a hearing pursuant to Chapter 6.16, it may be sold by the animal shelter or destroyed by the animal shelter or designee in a humane manner. No animal which has been declared a dangerous/vicious animal pursuant to Chapter 6.16 shall be sold pursuant to this section, nor shall any animal which has been impounded pursuant to Section 6.16.030 and subsequently found not dangerous/vicious but improperly trained, handled or maintained, be sold except to a person who is willing to properly train, handle and maintain the animal, as determined by the animal shelter.

B. If the owner of an animal gives permission in writing to do so, the animal may be sold or destroyed at any time after it is delivered to the animal shelter, provided that no animal held pursuant to Chapter 6.16 shall be sold even with the permission of the owner.

C. Nothing in this section shall prevent the animal shelter from keeping an animal for a longer period of time in accordance to its policies and practices.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

A. Unless an animal which is not wearing a license tag has been redeemed within four business days after being impounded, not including the day of impoundment, or unless it is being held pending a hearing pursuant to Chapter 6.16, it may be sold to the public or destroyed in a humane manner by the animal shelter or designee. No animal which has been declared a dangerous/vicious animal pursuant to Chapter 6.16 shall be sold pursuant to this section, nor shall any animal which has been impounded pursuant to Section 6.16.030 and subsequently found not dangerous/vicious but improperly trained, handled or maintained, be sold except to a person who is willing to properly train, handle and maintain the animal, as determined by the animal shelter or designee.

B. If the owner of an animal gives permission in writing to do so, the animal may be sold or destroyed in accordance with subsection A of this section at any time after it is delivered to the animal shelter, provided that no animal held pursuant to Chapter 6.16 shall be sold even with the permission of the owner.

C. Nothing in this section shall prevent the animal shelter from keeping an animal for a longer period of time in accordance to its policies and practices.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

When a dog, cat or other animal is sold by the animal shelter pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the animal shelter shall deliver to the purchaser of said dog, cat or other animal, a statement in writing containing a description of the animal, the date of sale, and the amount of the purchase price. All sales shall convey a good and valid title to the purchaser, and the previous owner of the animal shall thereafter be barred from all right to recover said animal.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

It shall be the duty of the animal control officer or city designee to receive and impound from the public all dogs believed to be stray, abandoned by their owners, or running at large within the city.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

Any dog found at large on any private property in the city may be taken up by the owner or possessor of the property and delivered to the animal shelter.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

Every person taking up any dog under the provisions of this title, and every person finding any lost, stray or abandoned dog shall, within 24 hours thereafter, give notice thereof to the animal shelter, animal control officer or city designee and every such person in whose custody such dog may in the meantime be placed, may surrender such animal to the animal shelter without fee or charge.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

The animal shelter shall provide all animals in its custody with proper food and water, and shall give them all necessary care and attention. The animal shelter shall charge a fee at the time an impounded animal is redeemed by its owner or person having custody, or may charge these fees at such time an unclaimed animal is sold.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

It shall be unlawful for any owner of any cat to permit such cat to run free outside the residence of its owner or keeper unless such cat has been:

A. Neutered or spayed to prevent procreating;

B. Immunized against rabies;

C. Appropriately tipped on the ear to signify that the cat has been altered and immunized. In lieu of ear tipping the cat owner may license the cat per Section 6.12.030 and attach the supplied license on the collar of the cat.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

No person shall leave a dog or other animal in any unattended motor vehicle without adequate ventilation, sanitary conditions or in such a manner as to subject the dog or other animal to extreme temperature which adversely affects the health or safety of the dog or other animal.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)

It shall be unlawful for any person to feed a feral cat where such feeding causes a nuisance to neighbors or businesses or creates a condition contrary to the health, safety, and welfare of the community. A person intending to feed a feral cat must first participate in a trap, neuter, and return program associated with a state of California licensed veterinarian or an established non-profit organization involved in the shelter, care or placement of feral cats and such organization is recognized by the Hanford police department and/or Kings County animal shelter.

It is unlawful for feral or stray cats to be fed on city owned property without written permission from the Hanford police department.

(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)