Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 10.12 Department of Animal Care and Control

The Director or a Department employee who is assigned to issue licenses, to maintain licensing records, and to collect licensing fees, is deemed a deputy county tax collector, to serve without additional pay.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 45, 2016: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 7758 § 1, 1960: Ord. 7285 § 1, 1958: Ord. 6955 § 1, 1956: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 307, 1946.)

The Director's powers and duties may be exercised and performed by designated Department employees.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 47, 2016: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 311, 1946.)

A.

The Director may establish a clinic where dogs and cats can be spayed or neutered upon payment of the applicable fees.

B.

A person requesting that a dog or cat be spayed or neutered must provide written consent to the procedure and confirm in writing that he is the owner or custodian of the animal. A custodian who is not the owner of the dog or cat must provide written authorization from the owner, if known. The written authorization must contain a waiver of liability of the County, the Department of Animal Care and Control, and any County employees for injury or death to an animal arising from the requested procedure, or any related services.

C.

The owner or custodian of the animal must pick up the animal on the return date stated by the Department or be subject to a reasonable-board-and care fee starting the day after the return date. An animal that is not picked up within 15 days after the return date is deemed abandoned and the Director may dispose of it by adoption or other disposition.

(Ord. 2022-0020 § 5, 2022; Ord. 2016-0040 § 49, 2016: Ord. 2009-0017 § 2, 2009: Ord. 90-0137 § 5, 1990: Ord. 88-0155 § 9, 1988: Ord. 87-0036 § 2, 1987: Ord. 85-0204 § 3, 1985: Ord. 81-0051U § 2, 1981: Ord. 12384 § 1, 1981: Ord. 11771 § 3, 1978: Ord. 11656 § 1, 1978: Ord. 10798 § 1, 1974: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 318, 1946.)

The Director may establish education programs to educate the public about the humane treatment of animals.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 50, 2016: Ord. 11302 § 1, 1976: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 319, 1946.)

The Director has discretion to offer incentive programs to encourage compliance with the dog and cat licensing requirements.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 51, 2016: Ord. 2000-0075 § 12, 2000.)

When authorized by law, the Director may pick up or accept and care for any animal to be held for observation by the County public health officer.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 52, 2016: Ord. 2006-0040 § 36, 2006: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 303, 1946.)

The Director is authorized to capture and take into custody:

A.

Any unlicensed animal, that is required to be licensed;

B.

Any animal being kept or maintained in violation of a state statute or local ordinance;

C.

Dogs and other animals running at large in violation of a state statute or local ordinance;

D.

Sick, injured, stray, unwanted or abandoned animals;

E.

Unvaccinated dogs in violation of this Division 1;

F.

Animals relinquished to the Department;

G.

Animals for which the owner or custodian is unable to care because of imprisonment, illness, bankruptcy litigation, or other contingency, or in cases in which the owner or custodian cannot be found.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 53, 2016: Ord. 2013-0033 § 2, 2013: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 302, 1946.)

Animals taken into custody by the Department must be placed in County animal care centers or other appropriate facilities.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 54, 2016: Ord. 2000-0075 § 13, 2000: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 304, 1946.)

An owner or custodian who relinquishes an animal or asks the Department to pick up an unwanted animal will be charged an owner-surrender fee. An owner or custodian who later redeems the animal will be charged board and care costs.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 55, 2016: Ord. 2009-0017 § 3, 2009: Ord. 90-0137 § 6, 1990: Ord. 87-0036 § 3, 1987: Ord. 85-0204 § 4, 1985: Ord. 83-0182 § 1, 1983: Ord. 11771 § 5, 1978: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 320, 1946.)

A person must receive permission from the Director, and pay the required fees and charges, before removing an animal from the Director's custody.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 56, 2016: Ord. 2000-0075 § 15, 2000: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 316, 1946.)

The Director will pick up and dispose of all dead animals and livestock on public highways and on public and private property within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, when the owner is unknown, or at the request of the animal's owner or other person having custody or control over the animal. The fees for removal services are determined annually as provided in Section 10.04.065. However, the Director is not required to pick up dead animals:

A.

In Garbage Disposal Districts where contractors are required by contract to perform that service;

B.

In beach areas if the animal weighs more than 150 pounds;

C.

Where a large number of animals have died requiring specialized equipment and/or skills beyond the capability of the Department;

D.

In areas that are not reasonably accessible to Department staff or equipment.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 57, 2016: Ord. 2009-0017 § 5, 2009: Ord. 90-0137 § 8, 1990: Ord. 87-0036 § 4, 1987: Ord. 85-0204 § 5, 1985: Ord. 11771 § 4, 1978: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 305, 1946.)

An animal-related business, such as a pet hospital, nonprofit humane organization animal facility, stable, or veterinary business, or any commercial, industrial, educational, medical, or other facility that deals with animals in connection with its operation, must pay the required fee for the pick up or delivery of a dead animal.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 58, 2016: Ord. 2009-0043 § 8, 2009; Ord. 2009-0017 § 6, 2009: Ord. 2000-0075 § 16, 2000: Ord. 90-0137 § 9, 1990: Ord. 88-0155 § 5, 1988: Ord. 87-0036 § 5, 1987: Ord. 85-0204 § 6, 1985: Ord. 11176 § 1, 1975: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 305.5, 1946.)

The Director may designate employees who are authorized to transport and operate tranquilizer gun equipment for use in the capture and seizure of animals.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 59, 2016: Ord. 2000-0075 § 17, 2000: Ord. 83-0182 § 2, 1983: Ord. 10594 § 1, 1972: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 317, 1946.)

The Director will enforce the California Penal Code provisions relating to the inhumane treatment of animals, take possession of abandoned or neglected animals, and care for or dispose of the animals in accordance with law.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 60, 2016: Ord. 10354 § 1 (part), 1971: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 309, 1946.)

A person who refuses a request by an authorized Department employee to produce a dog or cat rabies vaccination certificate, license or tag is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 64, 2016: Ord. 2000-0075 § 19, 2000: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 313, 1946.)

A person who interferes with, opposes, or resists the Director or an employee of the Department, while the Director or employee is performing his or her duties is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 65, 2016: Ord. 4729 § 315, 1946.)

A.

An authorized County employee or a law enforcement officer may enter a building or property to inspect the premises only if:

The owner or occupant of the building or property consents to the entry and inspection after the authorized County employee or law enforcement officer presents his credentials and explains the reasons for the entry and inspection; or

The authorized County employee or law enforcement officer obtains a warrant for the entry and inspection of the building or property under sections 1822.50 to 1822.57 of the Code of Civil Procedure; or

The authorized County employee or law enforcement officer has reasonable cause to believe that the keeping of an animal on the property is so hazardous, unsafe, or dangerous that an immediate inspection is necessary to safeguard an animal or public health and safety. Under these circumstances, the employee or officer may use reasonable means to immediately enter and inspect the building or property after presenting his credentials to the owner or occupant and requesting entry, if possible under the circumstances.

B.

This section does not prohibit an authorized County employee or law enforcement officer from entering property in the Department's jurisdiction for the purpose of capturing an animal running at large in violation of this Division 1 or other applicable law. A person who prevents or obstructs the capture of an animal running at large is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 66, 2016: Ord. 11489 § 1, 1977: Ord. 9454 § 1 (part), 1967: Ord. 4729 Art. 3 § 306, 1946.)

A designated Department employee is authorized to inspect an animal facility as stated in Section 10.28.150, and must report the findings in an animal facility inspection report. The letter grade issued by the Department is based on the most recent animal facility inspection report of the facility. The Director is authorized to recommend appropriate licensing or other legal action as stated in Section 10.28.290.

(Ord. 2016-0040 § 67, 2016: Ord. 2004-0036 § 6, 2004.)