Ridgecrest Municipal Code Art. IV Vicious Dogs

If it shall be determined by the health officer, after giving the order of quarantine mentioned in section 3-80 that said dog is a vicious dog, although not afflicted with rabies, the health officer shall thereupon order the person who owns or has the custody of said dog to keep said dog at all times securely fastened by chain or securely confined within the private property of said owner or person having the custody of said dog, or keep said dog in such manner as said health officer shall direct, to prevent it from biting or having the opportunity of biting any persons, including persons lawfully on the premises where said dog is so fastened or confined, until further order of the health officer.

(Code 1980, § 5-8.1; Ord. No. 85, § 32)

Any violation by said owner or person having custody of said dog of said order of the health officer shall be unlawful.

(Code 1980, § 5-8.2; Ord. No. 85, § 33)

(a) In determining whether or not a dog is vicious, the health officer shall be guided by the following:

(1) Whether or not said dog has bitten any person at any time other than the occasion which gave rise to the operation of section 3-79;

(2) The circumstances surrounding the occasion indicating the temper or ferocity of said dog;

(3) The reputation of said dog in the community in regard to its temper and ferocity; and

(4) If it is a general menace to the public.

(b) This article shall be operative even though the dog in question has been vaccinated and licensed as required by this chapter.

(Code 1980, § 5-8.3; Ord. No. 85, § 34)