Rocklin Municipal Code Ch. 6.32 Potentially Dangerous and Vicious Animals

The owner of any potentially dangerous or vicious animal shall have the duty to take such reasonable steps as are necessary to prevent his animal from biting or attacking another human being or from killing, attacking, or causing damage to any other animal.

(Ord. 483 § 3.4, 1982).

(Ord. No. 985, § 13, 6-12-2012)

No person shall harbor or hide, or cause to be harbored or hidden, any potentially dangerous or vicious animal and shall surrender any such animal to the animal control officer upon demand.

(Ord. 483 § 5.7, 1982).

(Ord. No. 985, § 13, 6-12-2012)

The animal control officer shall cause any potentially dangerous or vicious animal to be impounded and shall, within seventy-two hours after the animal has been impounded, notify the owner, if known, that the animal has been impounded under the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 483 § 5.1, 1982).

(Ord. No. 985, § 13, 6-12-2012)

The animal control officer may do any of the following with regard to a potentially dangerous or vicious animal:

A. Retain such animal for purposes of observation for a period not to exceed thirty days;

B. Release such animal to the control of its owner, subject to the condition that such owner is required thereafter at all times to keep such animal in a secure enclosure, or upon such other conditions as may be reasonably required to insure the public safety;

C. Notify the owner of such animal that reasonable cause exists, and a concise statement of reasons therefore, to believe that such animal will continue to be a menace to the safety of human beings and that the animal is to be destroyed, subject to the proceedings set forth in Section 6.32.050.

(Ord. 483 § 5.2, 1982).

(Ord. No. 985, § 13, 6-12-2012)

A. In the event the animal control officer determines that a potentially dangerous or vicious animal is to be destroyed pursuant to the provisions of subsection 6.32.040 C., the animal control officer shall notify the owner of such animal at least five days in advance of the intended action, and further inform such owner of their right to appeal as provided in this section.

B. The owner of such animal may, prior to the date upon which the animal is to be destroyed, appeal the determination to the animal control officer to the city council by filing a notice of such appeal with the city clerk.

C. After receipt of the notice of appeal, the city clerk shall calendar the same for hearing by the city council and shall notify the owner and the animal control officer of the date set for hearing. In no event shall the hearing be set for a date later than twenty days after the animal was impounded.

D. The animal control officer shall not thereafter destroy such animal until the appeal is heard and a decision rendered pursuant to this chapter.

E. Any owner of a potentially dangerous or vicious animal failing to appeal after notice as provided in this section shall be deemed to have waived any right in, or claim upon, such animal, or to claim any damages or other relief by reason of any action or inaction by the animal control officer pursuant to this chapter.

(Ord. 483 § 5.3, 1982).

(Ord. No. 985, § 14, 6-12-2012)

On the date set for the appeal, the city council shall conduct a hearing on the matter. After hearing testimony from all interested parties as it may deem proper, the city council may:

A. Uphold the decision of the animal control officer to destroy the animal;

B. Order the return of the animal to its owner and impose such conditions upon such return as may be reasonably necessary to insure the public safety;

C. Take such other action as it may reasonably find necessary to protect the public safety, including a continuation of the impoundment of such animal for a period not to exceed thirty days from the date of the hearing.

(Ord. 483 § 5.4, 1982).

After the decision of the city council has been rendered as provided in Section 6.32.060, the animal control officer shall take such action as is necessary to carry out the decision.

(Ord. 483 § 5.5, 1982).

The fee charged for the impoundment of any animal under the provisions of this chapter shall be as provided by the city if impounded at the city animal shelter or county if impounded at the county animal control center.

(Ord. 483 § 5.6, 1982).

(Ord. No. 985, § 13, 6-12-2012)