San Clemente Municipal Code Ch. 6.32 Humane Treatment

It shall be unlawful to abandon any animal, dead or alive, within the city limits.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

It shall be unlawful to place, leave, or expose, in any place accessible to any domestic animals with the intent to kill or harm such animals, any poisonous substance or ingredient, or any edible or any other substance or ingredient which has in any manner been treated or prepared with any poisonous substance or ingredient.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

It shall be unlawful to use any equipment, device, substance or material on animals that is, or could be, injurious or cause unnecessary cruelty to any animal.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

Any person who, as the operator of a motor vehicle, strikes a domestic animal, shall render such assistance as may be possible and shall immediately report such injury or death to the animal's owner. In the event the owner cannot be ascertained and located, such operator shall attempt to obtain emergency care for the animal and immediately report the accident to the authority.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

No person or charitable organization shall offer, give away or auction off any animal as a prize or item in any contest, lottery, drawing or charitable auction, nor shall any color, dye, stain, or any other substance be used to change the natural color of the above-described animals.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

It shall be unlawful to offer for sale, exchange, or give away puppies or kittens in public places such as in front of stores, at swap meets, or auctions.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

A. .....It shall be unlawful to leave an animal unattended and without proper food, water, and shelter for a period of more than 24 hours.

B. .....In addition to the prohibition contained in subsection A above, it shall also be unlawful to do any of the following:

1. Place a dog or allow a dog to remain on unoccupied property for a period of 24 hours or more regardless of whether the dog is provided proper food, water and shelter. For the purposes of this section, "unoccupied property" shall mean the following:

a. Residential property which is not actually and legally being used as a residence at such time as the dog is on the property. Examples could include, but are not limited to, residential property currently under construction and residential property not then being resided in by a person who can be and is responsive to complaints about the animal disturbing the peace of the neighborhood.

b. Commercial property under construction or commercial property otherwise vacant.

C. Exceptions. .....Subsection (B)(1) of this section shall not apply to the following:

1. The placement of a licensed guard dog on property once the licensed guard dog company obtains a permit from the city or its designee for the placement of guard dogs on the property;

2. A dog remaining on the property of a resident who goes on vacation or otherwise temporarily does not occupy the property but leaves the animal under the care and supervision of another person who regularly checks on the animal at least once every 24 hours and who can and shall be responsive to complaints about the animal disturbing the peace of the neighborhood, providing the period does not extend beyond 21 days.

D. .....Dogs found in violation of this section may be impounded by the animal authority until claimed by the property owner. The animal shall not be released until the property is legally occupied or other suitable arrangements acceptable to the director are made for the placement of the animal. All related impound, storage or other fees must be satisfied before the release of the animal. In the event the property owner fails to claim the animal within 10 days of notification of impound, the animal shall be considered abandoned and shall automatically become property of the authority.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

A. .....It shall be unlawful for any unlicensed business or person to:

1. Display, sell, offer for sale, barter or give away any rabbits, baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl as pets or novelties, whether or not dyed, colored or otherwise artificially treated;

2. Sell, offer for sale, barter or display any rabbits, baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl which have been dyed, colored or otherwise treated so as to impart to them an artificial color;

3. Sell, offer for sale, barter or give away rabbits, baby chicks or other fowl under two months of age in any quantity less than six;

4. Sell, offer for sale, barter or give away any rabbits, baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl unless such person provides proper brooder facilities for the care of such fowl during the time they are in possession of such person.

B. .....It shall be unlawful for any commercial animal establishment to sell or offer for sale any dog, cat or rabbit unless they are obtained from a shelter or rescue organization.

C. .....This section shall not be construed to prohibit the display or sale of rabbits, baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl in proper facilities by dealers, hatcheries or stores engaged in the business of selling the same to be raised for food purposes.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

A. Recital. .....It is the intent of the city council to protect canines utilized by the sheriff's department from interference and harm while such animals are in use in the performance of functions or duties of the sheriff's department.

B. Prohibited Conduct. .....It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully or aliciously tease, taunt, torment, strike, kick, mutilate, disable, or otherwise injure, or kill, or to unwarrantably interfere or meddle with any canine while such animal is being utilized by the sheriff's department, or any officer, or employee thereof, in the performance of any function or duty of said department, or of such officer or employee.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)