La Palma Municipal Code Art. I In General

Whenever any reference is made to any portion of this chapter, such reference applies to all amendments and additions thereto now or hereafter made.

(Ord. No. 2009-08, § 5-2, 12-15-2009)

Whenever a power is granted to, or a duty is imposed upon the Director of Animal Care and Control or other public officer, the power may be exercised or the duty may be performed by a deputy of the officer or by a person authorized, pursuant to law, by the officer, unless this chapter expressly provides otherwise.

(Ord. No. 2009-08, § 5-3, 12-15-2009)

Whenever provision is made in this chapter for the payment of fees, such fees shall be those which the City Council or SEAACA Board has approved, from time to time, by resolution or minute order.

(Ord. No. 2009-08, § 5-4, 12-15-2009)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Animal care center means a place where all animals impounded by the Animal Care and Control Agency are placed for their humane care and keeping.

Animal menagerie means a place where wild animals are kept or maintained for any commercial purpose, including places where wild animals are boarded, trained, or kept for hire.

Animals means and includes any beast, cat, dog, poultry, bird, reptile, fish, or any other dumb creature or animal.

Approved canine rabies vaccine means a Canine Rabies Vaccine which is approved for use by the State of California, Department of Public Health.

At large means any animal off the premises of its owner.

Cat means any cat of any age, female or male.

Cat kennel means any lot, building, structure, or premises wherein more than four cats over the age of four months are kept or maintained for any purpose.

Director means the Director of the Animal Care and Control agency.

Dog means any dog of any age, female or male.

Dog kennel means any lot, building, structure, or premises wherein more than four dogs over the age of four months are kept or maintained for any purpose.

Guide dog shall have the same meaning as defined in State law.

Horse means any equine animal, either female or male, including: mules, burros, ponies, jacks, hinnies, or jennies.

Impounded means that if any animal pursuant to this chapter or any State law has been received into the custody of any Animal Care Center, such animal will have been "impounded" as that word is used in this chapter.

Owner means any person, firm, or corporation having an interest in or having control, custody, or possession of any animal.

Pet shop means any place of business where dogs under four months of age, or cats, monkeys, birds, reptiles, fish, or any other animal to be used as pets, are kept for sale.

SEAACA is an abbreviation for the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority.

Unlicensed dog means any dog for which the license for the current year has not been paid, or to which the tag for the current year provided in this chapter is not attached.

Wild animal means any wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic animal, including but not limited to mammals, fowl, fish, or reptiles.

(Ord. No. 2009-08, § 5-5, 12-15-2009)