Los Banos Municipal Code Art. 2 Animal Shelter—animal Control Officers

A public animal shelter shall be maintained at such place as is provided from time to time by the City Council.

(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)

(a) The Animal Control Services Unit in the Police Department Code Enforcement Division is primarily responsible for enforcing State and local laws pertaining to animals in the City of Los Banos.

(b) Each Animal Control Officer of the City shall have, and is vested with the authority of a public officer. The Animal Control Officers may, in the performance of their duties, enter upon any property pursuant to law, to ascertain if any of the provisions of this chapter, or any other provisions of this Code, or any State laws relating to disease, care, treatment, or cruelty to animals are being violated. Each Animal Control Officer may issue citations for the violation of the provisions of this chapter, or any other provisions of this Code, or any State law, in the manner prescribed by this Code, and remove animals from the premises if they deem necessary. The authority to issue citations in the manner prescribed by the City shall be alternative to any other authority provided by law.

(c) Each Animal Control Officer of the City shall have police powers in the enforcement of this chapter, or any State laws relating to disease, care, treatment, or cruelty to animals. Any person who shall interfere with, obstruct, or resist any Animal Control Officer while engaged in performing any duty imposed by the provisions of this chapter or any other law of the City, or State law, or who shall, without permission, remove or take away any animal from the Animal Shelter, or tamper with or do damage to any of the facilities or structures of the Animal Shelter, or remove any fence, bar, or barrier or open any gate for the purpose of enabling any animal to escape from the Animal Shelter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(d) The Animal Control Services Unit shall keep a record of all impounded animals, including a description of the animal, the date of receipt, the date and manner of disposal, the name of the person redeeming or purchasing, and the fees, charges and proceeds of sales received on account of such animal, and such additional records as may be required by the provisions of this chapter, or State law. The Animal Control Services Unit shall provide the necessary subsistence for all animals that are impounded.

(§ 2, Ord. 1153, eff. May 19, 2017)