Irvine Municipal Code Ch. 11 Humane Treatment of Animals

It shall be unlawful to abandon any animal, dead or alive, within the City limits.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

It shall be unlawful to place, leave, or expose, in any place accessible to any domestic animals with the intent to kill or harm such 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.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

It shall be unlawful to use any equipment, device, substance or material on animals that is, or could be, injurious or cause unnecessary cruelty to any animal. This section does not outlaw the use of humane legal devices or methods for taking or killing vermin, or other legal methods for taking or killing animals, or outlaw the use of firearms by authorized peace officers for such purposes when authorized by department policy.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

Any person who, as the operator of a motor vehicle, strikes a domestic animal shall render such assistance as may be possible and shall immediately report such injury or death to the animal's owner. In the event the owner cannot be ascertained and located, such operator shall attempt to obtain emergency care for the animal and at once report the accident to the animal services officer or the City's Animal Care Center.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

No person shall offer or give away any dogs, cats, rabbits, live chickens, ducklings, or other fowl as prizes in any contest, lottery or drawing; nor shall any color, dye, stain or any other substance be used to change the natural color of the above-described animals.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

A. No person shall leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability or death to the animal. Nor shall any person leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle in such a manner as to endanger persons lawfully passing by the vehicle.

B. The Director of Public Safety or his or her designee are authorized to remove and impound any animal found in violation of Subsection A above if the animal's safety appears to be in immediate danger from heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal or that present an immediate threat to public safety. Animals impounded pursuant to this section shall be taken to the City's Animal Care Center or, if deemed necessary, to a licensed veterinarian for examination and/or treatment.

C. The Director of Public Safety or his or her designee are authorized to take all steps that are reasonably necessary for the removal of an animal from a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, breaking into the motor vehicle, after a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person responsible is made. Any person authorized to enforce this section who removes an animal from a motor vehicle shall, in a secure and conspicuous location on or within the motor vehicle, leave a written notice bearing his or her name and office, and the address of the location where the animal can be claimed. The animal may be claimed by the owner only after payment of all charges that have accrued for the maintenance, care, medical treatment, or impoundment of the animal.

D. Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution under both this section and California Penal Code § 597 or any other provision of law, including any applicable federal, State, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.

E. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the transportation of horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry or other agricultural animals in motor vehicles designed to transport such animals for agricultural purposes.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

It shall be unlawful to offer for sale, exchange, or give away puppies or kittens in public places such as in front of stores, at swap meets, or auctions.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

It shall be unlawful to leave an animal unattended and without proper food, water, and shelter for a period of more than 24 hours.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to:

1. Display, sell, offer for sale, barter, or give away any rabbits, baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl as pets or novelties, whether or not dyed, colored, or otherwise artificially treated.

2. Sell, offer for sale, barter, or display any rabbits, baby chicks, ducklings, or other fowl which have been dyed, colored, or otherwise treated so as to impart to them an artificial color.

3. Sell, offer for sale, barter or give away rabbits, baby chicks, or other fowl under two months of age in any quantity less than six.

4. Sell, offer for sale, barter or give away any rabbits, baby chicks, ducklings, or other fowl, unless such person provides proper brooder facilities for the care of such fowl during the time they are in the possession of such person.

B. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the display or sale of rabbits, natural chicks, duckling or other fowl in proper facilities by dealers, hatcheries or stores engaged in the business of selling the same to be raised for food purposes. The City Animal Care Center facility shall be exempt from this section.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

No person shall feed or in any manner provide food for wild mammalian predator animals such as coyotes, bobcats or mountain lions. This section shall also include a ban on feeding wild raccoons, foxes, skunks, opossums, rodents, rabbits or hares and waterfowl. This section does not apply to the feeding of animals under the care of a veterinarian, or rehabilitator, or those kept in the City's animal shelter, or by those kept by an individual who have been authorized by permit or license to care for and feed such animals.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

No person shall sponsor, conduct, operate, or participate in a rodeo or similar event on public or private property within the City of Irvine.

(Ord. No. 11-14, § 5, 10-25-11)

No person shall sponsor, conduct, operate, or participate in a circus that offers for display or exhibit any wild or exotic animal acts for public entertainment, amusement or benefit on public or private property within the City.

(Ord. No. 11-14, § 6, 10-25-11)