Chapter 6.16 — WILD, INHERENTLY DANGEROUS OR DESTRUCTIVE ANIMALS

"Animals which are inherently dangerous or destructive" shall mean any of the following:

1. Any species of animal which is venomous to human beings whether its venom is transmitted by bite, sting, touch or other means, but not including domesticated honeyproducing bees but including Africanized bees;

2. Any species of animal not normally domesticated which carry disease zoonotic to human beings, including, but not limited to, rabies and salmonella;

3. Any species of animal not normally domesticated which have the ability to menace native wildlife, the agricultural interests of the state, or the public health or safety;

4. Any individual animal having been designated by any state, county or municipal agency as having dangerous or vicious propensities.

"Wild animal" shall mean any warm-blooded or cold-blooded carnivorous or omnivorous animal (including, but not limited to, a non-human primate, raccoon, skunk, fox, snake or other reptile, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other animal or any bird of prey which can normally be found in the wild state). Wild animal shall not include exotic or wild animals kept under State of California Fish and Game Department permit and properly licensed with the City of Oroville animal control chief.

(Ord. 1590 § 1)

It is unlawful for any person to own, harbor, or keep a wild animal or an animal that is inherently dangerous or destructive within the City of Oroville. This section shall not be construed to apply to zoological parks, performing animal exhibitions, circuses or properly licensed animal handlers/keepers.

(Ord. 1590 § 1)

• A. An application for a license to keep wild animals within the corporate limits of the city of Oroville shall be made on a form prescribed by the chief of animal control, which form, at a minimum, shall require the applicant to provide the following information:

  1. Name and address of the applicant and the address of the proposed location of the animal, if different from applicant's;

  2. The name and address of the owner of the real property upon which the animal is proposed to be kept;

  3. The species of animal, the number of individual animals of each species, a physical description of each animal (age, markings, etc.) and a brief description of the applicant's plan for keeping the animal;

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City of Oroville, CA

OROVILLE CODE

§ 6.16.030

§ 6.16.040

4. The reason for keeping the animal;

5. A full description (including measurements) of the housing facilities for the animal;

6. The maximum and minimum number of animals to be kept under the license;

7. The names and addresses of any persons living within 100 yards of the wild animal housing facility on property other than that of the applicant.

• B. The chief of animal control shall approve an application for a license if the chief finds that all of the following are true:

  1. The owner of the real property on which the animal is proposed to be kept has given his or her written consent to the keeping of such animal;

  2. The keeping and maintenance of the wild animal will not endanger the peace, health or safety of persons in the immediate vicinity or in the corporate limits of Oroville as a whole;

  3. The keeping of the wild animal at the location specified in the application will not violate any state law or city ordinance and shall not constitute a public nuisance;

  4. The premises and housing where the wild animal is to be kept are in a clean and sanitary condition, of adequate size to allow the animal freedom of movement and proper exercise, and that the wild animal will not be subject to suffering, cruelty and/ or abuse;

  5. The wild animal to be kept under the license will be properly and permanently identified by means of tattoo, ear tag, band or microchip, such identification to be registered with the city animal control department, including the licensee's name, address, phone number and emergency contact;

  6. The applicant has not had a license for the keeping of a wild animal revoked within one year prior to the date of application;

  7. Neither the applicant, nor any agent or employee of the applicant, has been convicted of any offense involving the violation of any animal control or animal welfare statute, law or ordinance;

  8. No owner of property or person residing on property other than that of the applicant within 100 yards of the proposed wild animal housing facility has objected to the granting of the license.

• C. The chief of animal control may issue the license subject to any reasonable rule, regulation or condition to insure that the wild animal will not endanger the safety of any person or property.

• (Ord. 1590 § 1)

Any license issued pursuant to this chapter may be revoked if, after hearing, any of the following is found to be true:

• A. The licensee has failed to keep and maintain the premises or housing for the animal(s) in a

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City of Oroville, CA

ANIMALS

§ 6.16.040

§ 6.16.040

clean and sanitary manner;

• B. The licensee has failed to provide the wild animal with proper food, water, housing, exercise or veterinary care; or

• C. The licensee has failed to conform to any rule, regulation or condition of the license. (Ord. 1590 § 1)

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City of Oroville, CA

ANIMALS

§ 6.20.010

§ 6.20.030