7.04 — ANIMALS

The city hereby adopts by reference Chapter 8.24 of Title 8 of the Amador County Code, as it may be amended from time to time, relating to animals, except for the definition of animal control officer, which shall be as follows:

"Animal control officer" means the person designated by the County or City as the person in charge of animal control in the County or City and his or her duly authorized representatives.

Insofar as Chapter 8.24 of Title 8 of the Amador County Code is inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, this chapter shall govern.

(Ord. 480 §2, 1983; Ord. 614 §1, 2000; Ord. 711 §1, 2019)

No owner of a dog, or person having charge of a stray dog, shall permit such dog to be within the limits of the city other than on private property with the consent of the property owner, unless the dog is restrained by a leash not exceeding eight feet in length; provided, however, that this section shall not apply: (1) if the dog is assisting a peace officer in law enforcement duties; (2) if the dog is participating in a dog training class, obedience class, exhibition, or competition that is being conducted at that location with the permission of the city; or (3) the dog is in a park designated as an "off-leash dog park" by the city council. No owner of a dog, or person having charge of a stray dog, shall leave such dog unattended on public property for longer than thirty minutes at a time. Any unattended dog must be restrained by a leash fastened securely to a stationary object fixed to the ground.

(Ord. 617 §1, 2001; Ord. 711 §1, 2019)

It is unlawful for any person owning or having the charge of any dog, to cause, permit or allow such dogs, whether licensed or unlicensed, and whether leashed or unleashed, to be guided, stray, wander or otherwise be loose or at large on Aime Field, the baseball field at Detert Park. (Ord. 711 §1, 2019; Ord. 973, 2012)

• A. "Vicious dog" as used in this chapter shall mean:

  1. Any dog which because of its training, behavior, physical nature or vicious propensity is capable of inflicting serious physical harm or death to human beings and which would constitute a danger to human life or property if it were not kept in the manner required by this chapter.

  2. Any dog which has previously attacked or bitten a human being, to the extent that medical treatment was required; unless such attack has been deemed to be excusable by the animal control officer, as defined in Section 7.04.010 of this chapter.

  3. Any dog which has behaved in such a manner that the owner or keeper thereof knows or should reasonably know that the dog is possessed of tendencies to attack or bite human beings.

  4. Any dog which has been trained as an attack dog, or for protection, except such dogs which are employed by any law enforcement agency.

• B. The keeping of vicious dogs shall be subject to the following conditions:

  1. Leash and Muzzle. No person shall permit a vicious dog to go outside its kennel or rear yard pen unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four feet in length. No person shall permit a vicious dog to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel, pen or rear yard unless a person is in physical control of the leash. Such dogs may not be leashed to an inanimate object, including, but not limited to, trees, posts, and buildings. In addition, such dog on a leash outside the animal's kennel must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals.

  2. Confinement. All vicious dogs shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen, kennel or yard, except when leashed and muzzled as above provided. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. All such structures must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the structure or the sides must be embedded in the ground no less than two feet. In the case of a rear yard, the yard must be entirely enclosed and the fencing must be of sufficient height, and sufficiently anchored at the bottom, that the dog will not be capable of going over or under the fence or enclosure. All such structures or yards must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure or yard. All such structures must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the city and must be adequately ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.

  3. Confinement Indoors. No vicious dog may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such building of its own volition.

4. Signs. All owners, keepers or custodians of vicious dogs within the city shall, within ten days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words "Beware of Dog." In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on the pen or kennel of such dog.

• C. The regulations set forth in this chapter shall be in addition to the requirements and regulation of animals pursuant to Chapter 8.24 of Title 8 of the Amador County Code, which has been adopted by reference by the city pursuant to Section 7.04.010 of this chapter. Insofar as chapter 8.24 of Title 8 of the Amador County Code is inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, this chapter shall govern.

• (Ord. 711 §1, 2019)