King City Municipal Code Ch. 9.12 Animal Keeping

It is unlawful for any owner to keep more than three dogs over the age of four months each, in any place in the city, within two hundred fifty feet of any dwelling house in use or occupied by human beings other than the dwelling house belonging to the owner of the dogs.

(Ord. 246 § 10, 1956)

(a) Fees and charges are imposed for the impoundment, care and feeding of animals at the animal kennel shelter, and for the redemption of animals impounded or otherwise taken into the custody or control of the animal services officer.

(b) The city council shall establish a resolution, and may from time to time amend, a fee schedule of such fees and charges, which in each case shall constitute a debt from the owner of the animal to the city and which must be paid at the time said animal is redeemed by the owner.

(c) In addition, owners of animals shall be obligated to and shall reimburse the city for all costs reasonable incurred by the animal services officer in connection with the transportation, care and feeding of animals while in his/her custody or control to the extent that such costs are not provided for in said schedule.

(d) In the event that the animal services officer determines that the dog in question is potentially dangerous or vicious, the owner shall be liable for the following costs and expenses: costs of seizure and impoundment of the animal; costs of investigation; costs of the hearing and hearing officer; reasonable attorney’s fees; and costs of monitoring compliance.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

Animal services officer or kennel operators shall keep available for inspection records that shall show the name, current address and telephone number of the owner of each animal kept at the kennel, the description of the animal, including its age (if known) or approximate age, breed, sex and color. As a part of such record, a current valid rabies certificate or other written proof of vaccination, verified by phone, shall be maintained for each dog or cat required to be vaccinated by this title, showing the dog or cat owner’s name, including breed, color, sex, month and year of birth; the date of vaccination; and the name and telephone number of the veterinarian who vaccinated the dog or cat or telephone number of the agency verifying vaccination.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

Primary enclosures must be provided for all animals and shall conform to the following requirements:

(a) Primary enclosures shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect the animals from injury, to contain them, and to keep other animals out. They shall be effectively enclosed.

(b) Primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to enable the animals to remain dry and clean.

(c) Primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so that the animals contained therein have convenient access to clean food and water.

(d) The floors of the primary enclosures shall be constructed so as to protect the animals’ feet and legs from injury.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

Primary enclosures must be large enough so that the animals in them can obtain adequate exercise. Any separate kennel houses used as sleeping quarters must provide sufficient space to allow each animal to turn about freely, stand easily, sit and lie in a comfortable normal position. It is unlawful to keep any animal in a primary enclosure or kennel house that does not provide adequate space as required by this chapter.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

In all enclosures having a solid floor, a receptacle containing sufficient clean litter shall be provided to contain excrete. Each primary enclosure shall be provided with a solid resting surface or surfaces which, in the aggregate, shall be of adequate size to comfortable hold all occupants of the primary enclosure at the same time. Such resting surface or surfaces shall be elevated in primary enclosures housing two or more cats. Not more than six adult cats shall be housed in the same primary enclosure.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

A primary enclosure shall never house more than six dogs or cats of any size. Passageways into kennel houses shall allow easy access for all dogs housed in them. Any dog confined to a kennel house which does not meet the space requirements for a primary enclosure shall be provided access to its primary enclosure after no more than twelve hours for sufficient time to allow adequate exercise. Any primary enclosure(s) and/or kennel house(s) of kennels which were not licensed on the effective date of this chapter and those completed or installed in any kennel after the effective date of this chapter shall meet the following space requirements:

(a) Structural Strength. Indoor and outdoor housing facilities shall be structurally sound and shall be maintained in good repair, to protect the animals from injury, to contain the animals, and to restrict the entrance of other animals.

(b) Fencing. Any fencing shall be in conformance with planning/zoning requirements and be of suitable sturdy material anchored solidly to the ground in such a manner as to prevent animals from escaping by digging under the fence and of sufficient height to prevent animals from escaping. If necessary, to accomplish the intent of containment, a cover over the fenced area shall be installed.

(c) Water and Electric Power. Reliable and adequate electric power, if required to comply with other provisions of this chapter, and adequate potable water shall be available.

(d) Storage. Supplies of food and bedding shall be stored in facilities which adequately protect such supplies against infestation or contamination by vermin. Refrigeration shall be provided for supplies of perishable food.

(e) Waste Disposal. Provisions shall be made for the removal and disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding, and debris. Disposal facilities shall be so provided and operated as to minimize vermin infestation, odors, and disease hazards in compliance with local law.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

(a) Shelter from Sunlight. When sunlight is likely to cause overheating or discomfort, sufficient shade shall be provided to allow all animals kept outdoors to protect themselves from the direct rays of the sun.

(b) Shelter from Rain or Snow. Animals kept outdoors shall be provided with access to shelter to allow them to remain dry during rain or snow.

(c) Shelter from Cold Weather. Shelter shall be provided for all animals kept outdoors when the atmospheric temperature falls below fifty degrees Fahrenheit and sufficient means of protection from the weather elements shall be provided when the ambient temperature falls below that temperature to which the animal is acclimated.

(d) Drainage. A suitable method shall be provided to rapidly eliminate excess liquid.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

(a) Animals shall be provided food daily which 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.

(b) Food receptacles shall be accessible to all animals and shall be located so as to minimize contamination by excrete. Feeding pans shall be durable and kept clean. The food receptacles shall be kept sanitized. Disposable food receptacles may be used but must be discarded after each feeding. Self-feeders may be used for the feeding of dry food, and they shall be sanitized to prevent molding, deterioration or caking of feed.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

Clean portable water shall be available to the animals in conformance with the principles of good animal husbandry unless restricted for veterinary care. Watering receptacles shall be kept clean and shall be kept sanitized.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

(a) Cleaning. Excrete shall be removed from primary enclosures and kennel houses as often as necessary, at least daily, to prevent contamination of the animals contained therein and to reduce disease hazards and odors. When a hosing or flushing method is used for cleaning, any animal contained in the enclosure shall be protected during the cleaning process, and adequate measures shall be taken to protect the animals in other such enclosures from being contaminated with water and other wastes.

(b) Sanitizing. Prior to the introduction of new animals into empty primary enclosures previously occupied, such enclosures shall be sanitized in the manner provided herein. Enclosures shall be sanitized often enough to prevent an accumulation of debris or excrete, or a disease hazard. The following procedures shall be followed: cages, rooms and hard-surfaced pens or runs shall be sanitized by washing them with hot water and soap or detergent or by washing all solid surfaces with a detergent solution followed by a safe and effective disinfectant, or by cleaning all soiled surfaces with live steam. Pens or runs using gravel, sand or dirt shall be sanitized by removing the soiled gravel, sand, or dirt and replacing it as necessary.

(c) Housekeeping. Premises (buildings and grounds) shall be kept clean and in good repair in order to protect the animal from injury and to facilitate the prescribed husbandry practices. Premises shall remain free of accumulations of trash.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

A sufficient number of caretakers shall be utilized to maintain the standards set forth in this chapter.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

Animals housed in the same primary enclosure shall be maintained in compatible groups, with the following additional restrictions:

(a) Females in season (estrus) shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with males.

(b) Any animal exhibiting a vicious disposition shall be housed individually in a primary enclosure.

(c) Puppies or kittens shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adult dogs or cats other than their dams, except when the owner specifically requests they be housed together.

(d) Dogs shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with cats, nor shall dogs or cats be housed in the same primary enclosure with any other species of animals unless the owner specifically requests they be housed together.

(e) Animals under quarantine or treatment for a communicable disease shall be separated from other animals and other susceptible species of animals in such a manner as to minimize dissemination of such disease.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

The animal control officer may, upon payment of such fees as the city council may establish by resolution, accept animals for humane disposal and transport them for veterinary procedures. The owner or possessor of such animals shall first complete appropriate forms setting forth the facts constituting such ownership and/or possession, certifying that he or she has the right to request disposal of such animal, and agree to hold the city, its agents and employees harmless from any liability for its acceptance and disposal of such animals. The owner or person requesting the disposal of any animal shall certify in writing that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the animal has not bitten a human being within the period established by this title for isolation of biting animals and suspected rabid animals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the animal services officer or his or her designee may authorize, with the permission of the owner, if known, the euthanasia of a biting animal for the purpose of laboratory examination.

Animals, including dogs and cats, impounded and not reclaimed, redeemed, or adopted after the holding period is over may be destroyed in some humane manner by veterinary procedures.

Injured animal deemed seriously injured or ill by the animal services officer or veterinarian may be destroyed prior to the expiration of the seventy-two hour holding period in order to prevent the animal’s further suffering.

(Ord. 670, 2007)

After the holding period the animal services officer is authorized to make any adoptable animal available for adoption. Animals adopted after the legal holding period will not be returned to the original owner. Fees for adoption shall be set by the city council and posted at the shelter. All adoptable animals located in the kennel facility will be indicated on the kennel card with “I am Adoptable” printed in large letters. Adoptable animals have shown no signs of aggression towards humans and appear healthy. Adoption is contingent upon meeting all guidelines required for an adoption and payment of all applicable fees. City staff will make necessary measures to inform the community of the animals available for adoption as well as working with animal adoption organizations. All potential adopters must be eighteen years of age and able to have pets in their current housing situation. Interested parties must first complete the adoption application. Adoption application process is to be done in the police department during regular business hours.

All animals brought in with no known owner identification are held for a minimum of three business days. This time period is called the “stray period.” After the stray period is over and the owner does not reclaim the animal they become available for adoption after they have been evaluated by staff on their health and temperament. A person must first complete an application and visit with the animal. Once the application is completed and approved and adoption fees have been paid for then the animal shall be scheduled for spay/neuter surgery (if not already done). California state law requires that all animals adopted from animal shelters and public agencies be spayed or neutered so as not to further perpetuate the pet overpopulation problem. The surgery must be done before the animal goes into its new home. Adoption fees may vary, depending on the animal and may change within time by city council resolution.

(Ord. 670, 2007)