Mendota Municipal Code Ch. 6.10 Animal Control Officer

The duties of the animal control officer shall be as follows:

A. To take up and impound any domesticated animals (except cats), found to be running at large, staked, tied or being herded or pastured in any public place within the city or upon the premises of any person other than the owner of such animal;

B. To make a complete registry of impounded animals, showing in detail in the case of each animal, the date of receipt, the species, breed, color, and sex of such animal, and if licensed, the number of such license and the name and address of the owners;

C. To notify by mail the owner of any animal, bearing identification, impounded by the animal control officer, stating that such animal is confined at the city animal shelter, and specify the amount necessary to reclaim or redeem the same and the period which the animal will be held before destroying or otherwise disposing of the same.

(Ord. No. 10-10, § 2, 1-11-2011)

A. Authority. Each animal control officer 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 title 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, any state law, or city ordinance in the manner prescribed by the ordinance, 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.

B. Police Powers. Any animal control officer of the city shall have police powers in the enforcement of this chapter and no person shall interfere with, hinder, molest or abuse any animal control officer of the city in the exercise of such powers.

C. Animal Control Devices. In the performance of duties for the control of animals, the animal control officer shall have the authority to employ the use of the tranquilizer gun or other animal control devices in common use within the State of California.

D. Quarantine of Suspected Animal. Whenever the owner of any animal shall observe or learn that the animal has rabies; has symptoms of rabies; has been exposed to rabies or has acted in a manner which would lead him to suspect that it might have rabies, the owner shall immediately notify the animal control officer or poundmaster and shall surrender the animal to the poundmaster, his or her designee, an animal control officer, or peace officer of the city to make an inspection or examination of the animal, and quarantine the animal until it shall be established to his or her satisfaction that the animal has or does not have rabies.

E. Destruction of Rabid Animals. If it appears to the animal control officer or poundmaster that an animal has rabies, he or she shall cause the same to be destroyed in a lawful manner, which may include destroying the animal immediately if this is the only method available to contain the animal.

(Ord. No. 10-10, § 2, 1-11-2011)

The animal control officer 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 city council from time to time. The animal control officer shall provide the necessary subsistence for all animals that are impounded.

(Ord. No. 10-10, § 2, 1-11-2011)