Mendocino County Municipal Code Ch. 10.20 Large Domestic Animals

In enacting this Chapter, it is the intent of the Board of Supervisors to insure reasonable control of large domestic animals by their owners and to protect life and property. This Chapter gives any peace officer the power to ensure that negligent management practices are prevented.

It is not the intent of this ordinance to resolve property line disputes between owners of adjacent properties, as there are adequate civil remedies at law.

(Ord. No. 4421, 12-18-2018)

No owner of any large domestic animal shall permit or suffer the animal to do any of the following:

(1) Run estray;

(2) Trespass upon public property or upon private property without the consent of the owner of the property.

(Ord. No. 4421, 12-18-2018)

The owner of any large animal shall provide proper and adequate food, water, shelter, care and attention for such animal. No owner of such animal shall suffer or allow it to be left in a filthy, diseased or neglected condition, or fail to provide such adequate fencing as will prevent it to run estray.

Upon receiving a complaint of animal neglect, Animal Control or any peace officer shall investigate to determine if a violation exists and/or if the animals in question need to be impounded.

(Ord. No. 4421, 12-18-2018)

Any peace officer or Animal Control Officer in the County of Mendocino may summarily seize and impound any large domestic animal found in any condition prohibited by this Chapter. Such animal shall be impounded at such appropriate place as may be approved by the Sheriff's Office or Animal Care Services.

This Section is not intended to require the County of Mendocino to impound estray large domestic animals.

(Ord. No. 4421, 12-18-2018)

An owner of an animal which has been impounded is entitled to a post-seizure hearing to challenge the animal's impoundment. These due process rights are contained in Chapter 10.24 of this Title.

(Ord. No. 4421, 12-18-2018)

Upon the recommendation of the Sheriff or Animal Shelter Director and the approval of the Board of Supervisors, the fees and penalties provided for by this Chapter may be waived when large domestic animals have been impounded because of natural disaster, civil unrest or other emergency situation within the County.

(Ord. No. 4421, 12-18-2018)

No liability shall be incurred by the County of Mendocino or its agents for the disposition of any animal made pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 4421, 12-18-2018)