La Palma Municipal Code Art. II Animal Care and Control

SEAACA is hereby designated as the City of La Palma's Animal Care and Control agency under the administrative management of the Director.

(Ord. No. 2009-08, § 5-11, 12-15-2009)

Consistent with chapter article XI, chapter 2 of this Code, the Director of Animal Care and Control shall be vested with the necessary police powers and duties of a Police Officer for the exclusive purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, and it shall be their duty to make arrests and issue citations for violations of any of the provisions of this chapter. The Director of Animal Care and Control shall enforce all of the laws of the City, County, and State relating to the care, treatment, and impounding of animals and to the prevention of cruelty to animals.

(Ord. No. 2009-08, § 5-12, 12-15-2009)

It is hereby made the duty of the Director of Animal Care and Control to enforce any other sections of this chapter whether enumerated as a duty or not.

(Ord. No. 2009-08, § 5-13, 12-15-2009)

No person shall rescue or attempt to rescue any animal mentioned herein from the possession of the Director of Animal Care and Control or his or her deputies, or interfere with the Director of Animal Care and Control or his or her deputies in the performance of their official duties.

(Ord. No. 2009-08, § 5-14, 12-15-2009)

Consistent with the powers and authority under chapter 2 of this Code, the Director of Animal Care and Control or his or her deputy animal control officers, a Code Enforcement Officer, or any Police Officer is authorized to enter upon any premises upon which any animal is kept, for the purpose of taking up, seizing, or impounding any animal found running at large, staked, herded, or grazing thereon, contrary to the provisions of this chapter, for the purpose of ascertaining whether such animal is licensed as provided in this chapter; or determining whether any regulation or law of the State relating to the care, treatment, or impounding of animals or to the prevention of cruelty to animals is being violated; provided there is probable cause to believe there is such violation.

(Ord. No. 2009-08, § 5-15, 12-15-2009)

It shall be the duty of the Director of Animal Care and Control to enforce those sections of the Penal Code of the State of California pertaining to the inhumane treatment of animals, and to take possession of animals so abandoned or neglected, and care for or dispose of same as provided for in Penal Code § 597 of the State of California.

(Ord. No. 2009-08, § 5-16, 12-15-2009)

State Law reference— Cruelty to animals generally, Penal Code § 597 et seq.

(a) The Director of Animal Care and Control may establish a clinic, at which members of the public may have dogs and cats spayed or neutered. A person submitting a dog or cat for the above service shall sign a consent form certifying thereon under penalty of perjury that they are the owner of said animal or setting forth facts showing that they are otherwise authorized to present the animal for the above operation and such person may be required to furnish proof of such ownership or authority. Such consent shall contain a waiver of any and all liability of the City, the Animal Care and Control Agency, and any employees thereof for any injury or death to an animal arising out of the aforementioned operation or any services provided incidental thereto.

(b) The Director of Animal Care and Control shall establish a return date by which a person submitting an animal for the above operation shall pick up said animal or be subject to a reasonable board and care fee to commence the day after such return date. Failure to pick up an animal within 15 days of said return date shall be deemed abandonment of such animal and the Director may dispose of it by sale or destruction.

(Ord. No. 2009-08, § 5-17, 12-15-2009)