Kings County Municipal Code Art. IV Animal Control Generally

It is unlawful for any person to allow or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him to be on any public street, alley, lane, park or place of whatever nature open to and used by the public in any area of the county unless such dog is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously in the hands of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog, or unless the dog is securely confined in a vehicle.

It is unlawful for any person to allow or permit any dog owned, harbored, or controlled by him to be on any private property in any area of the county without the permission of the person owning or occupying said private property.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)

It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession of any animal to permit it to be at large without reasonable control or to be pastured or kept upon any street or other public place or upon any private property against the wishes of the owner or occupant thereof or in any manner or place to the injury of the owner or occupant of any other property. No fowl on its owner's property shall be deemed at large.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)

It is unlawful for any person owning, harboring, or controlling any livestock to permit such livestock to run at large upon the private property of another without the permission of the person owning or occupying said private property, or upon the streets or public places in Kings County. The animal control officer is authorized whenever he deems it necessary, to deputize individuals, who are properly equipped, to capture and transport livestock which is running at large in violation of this chapter. Each animal captured or transported pursuant hereto shall be impounded at the risk of the owner and the owner or keeper of such animal is liable for all fees set forth in section 4-75.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)

Upon approval of the animal control officer, a stallion may be kept, when authorized by land use regulations, in a substantial corral of wood or other construction six feet in height and under conditions to prevent escape and protect people or other animals. A minimum substantial corral is defined as being appropriately secure and constructed of four-inch by four-inch posts, eight feet on center, anchored 24 inches in Portland cement with two-inch by six-inch rails set two inches apart.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)

Any animal found under conditions or in areas prohibited by section 4-67 or 4-68 shall be taken by the animal control officer and impounded and the owner is liable for all fees as set forth in section 4-75.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)

The animal control officer is authorized, whenever he deems it necessary, to temporarily impound animals within an enclosure other than at the county animal shelter. This enclosure shall constitute a temporary animal shelter. Notice that an enclosure is a temporary animal shelter may be posted by the animal control officer at the site.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)

The animal control officer upon the impounding of any animal, other than livestock, shall immediately notify the owner, if known, or if unknown by posting a notice of impound containing a description of the animal, and the time and place of apprehension for three days on the shelter website. After the expiration of this period, any unredeemed animal may be disposed of as provided for in this chapter.

Upon the impounding of any livestock, the animal control officer shall notify the owner, if known or if unknown, the animal control officer shall post a notice on the shelter website for at least ten days. After the expiration of this period, any unredeemed animal may be disposed of as provided for in this chapter.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)

The animal control officer shall feed and care for any animal impounded until it is disposed of as provided by law.

If such animal is not a "diseased or injured animal" as defined under section 4-3 and is not suspected of having rabies, the owner may redeem it at any time within three working days by describing it, proving ownership to the satisfaction of the animal control officer, paying all applicable fees, and obtaining any necessary license.

If the animal is a dog and is wearing license tags, the animal control officer may keep the dog for five working days.

The redemption period shall begin when written notice of such impounding is given as provided in section 4-72 or the animal's information is posted on the shelter's website.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)

If the animal impounded is not redeemed within the redemption period, or if the owner fails or refuses to comply with any of the requirements of redemption, the animal control officer shall dispose of the animal according to the provisions of this section. In disposing of an impounded animal, the animal control officer may, in his discretion, 1) put the animal up for adoption, 2) release the animal to a rescue group or 3) euthanize the animal in a humane manner.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)

The animal control officer shall receive and collect all fees, fines, and charges as set by the board of supervisors on impounded animals. No fees whatsoever shall be charged or collected for any animal which has been unlawfully impounded.

If the owner believes the animal has been unlawfully impounded, the owner may request a hearing in accordance with section 4-15. Any animal found to have been unlawfully impounded shall be immediately delivered to the owner.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)

The animal control officer shall, at the time of impounding any animal, determine whether it is a "diseased or injured animal" as defined in section 4-3. When a diseased or injured animal is impounded, the animal control officer is required to procure any necessary emergency medical treatment or euthanize the animal in a humane manner.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)

The owning or harboring of any dog which is vicious or potentially dangerous as defined by California Food and Agriculture Code section 31601 et seq. shall be an infraction and such animal shall be deemed a nuisance.

Any person may contact the animal control officer to file a complaint. The complaint shall state the place where such nuisance exists, describe such animal and its conduct and give the name and address of its owner, if known. The animal control officer upon complaint or his own knowledge shall investigate and if a violation exists, may cause notice of abatement to be issued, make an arrest in accordance with section 4-8, or take such other action as is necessary. This shall be in addition to any remedies available under California Food and Agriculture Code section 31601 et seq.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)

Any person who keeps or permits to remain upon any property under his ownership or control, other than in an appropriately zoned and licensed kennel or animal hospital, any animal which by continuous barking, whining, or other noise unreasonably disturbs the peace, comfort, or quiet of any resident of the neighborhood shall be guilty of an infraction.

(Ord. No. 672, § 2, 6-30-15)