Mariposa County Municipal Code § 6.16 Animals

It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to keep or harbor any dog which habitually barks, howls or yelps to the great discomfort of the peace and quiet of the neighborhood or in such manner as to disturb or annoy persons in the neighborhood who are of ordinary sensibilities.

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 769 Sec. 1 on 4/3/1990 6.16.020(A) Barking Dog(s)--Declared Public Nuisance--Notice To Owners

The dog(s) referred to in the section above are hereby declared a public nuisance, as defined in Penal Code Section 370. Upon written complaint to the Animal Control Officer of two (2) or more persons residing at separate residences in the immediate neighborhood that a dog which habitually barks, howls, or yelps is being kept by any person in the county, the Animal Control Officer shall notify the person who owns, or keeps, or has control of the dog that a complaint has been received and the person shall take whatever additional steps the Animal Control Officer deems necessary to alleviate the howling, yelping or barking.

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 769 Sec. 1 on 4/3/1990 Amended by Ord. 1019 Sec. I on 6/7/2005 Amended by Ord. 1201 on 9/2/2025 6.16.020(B) Agricultural Working Dogs

Dogs that are owned, used, or maintained in support of existing agricultural activity, consistent with Title 18 of this code and specifically with the definition of nuisance in §18.040.030, are exempt from this chapter 6.16.

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 1201 on 9/2/2025

1. It shall be a violation of this chapter by a dog owner for an owner’s dog to howl, yelp, or bark unprovoked for twenty consecutive minutes. A citation may be issued to the dog owner if the Animal Control Officer observes an owner’s dog howling, yelping, or barking unprovoked for more than twenty (20) consecutive minutes.

2. If the person alleged to be keeping a dog and/or dogs as set forth in section 6.16.010 above does not take the steps required of him/her by the Animal Control Officer to alleviate the howling, yelping, or barking of his/her dog(s), the Animal Control Officer shall refer the complainant to the office of the district attorney to sign a formal complaint for violation of this section. The District Attorney may then bring an action in the superior court to abate the nuisance dog(s) pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 731.

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 769 Sec. 1 on 4/3/1990 Amended by Ord. 1201 on 9/2/2025

• 6.16.040 Violation--Penalty

  1. Violation of Section 6.16.010 of this chapter is an infraction subject to the penalties set forth in Chapter 1.20 of this Code, except that a third, and any subsequent, violation occurring within a year of the first may be charged as a misdemeanor.

  2. A separate offense shall be deemed committed for each day the condition referred to in Section 6.16.010 above exists following the giving of the notice referred to in section 6.16.020 of this chapter.

HISTORY

Adopted by Ord. 769 Sec. 1 on 4/3/1990