Selma Municipal Code Ch. 3 Appointment of Animal Control Officer

The purpose of this chapter is to authorize a duly appointed animal control officer that has been appointed by the Humane Society, Society For Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals or public pound with which the city of Selma has a contract for the impoundment, care and protection, and prevention of cruelty to animals within the limits of the city of Selma to exercise all of the powers and responsibilities and duties of an "animal control officer" as defined in section 6-2-1 of this title and, in connection therewith, to issue appropriate citations in accordance with this code, including administrative citations and the power to serve warrants as specified in sections 1523 and 1530 of the Penal Code during the course and within the scope of the employment of the animal control officer who has been certified as meeting the requirements of Corporations Code section 14502 by the Humane Society, Society For Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals and/or public pound which the city of Selma has contracted to provide the same or similar services. (Ord. 2014-8, 9-2-2014)

(A) The Chief of Police for the City of Selma is the head animal control officer for the City. The Chief of Police shall be responsible for delegating all animal control duties, and no person shall perform animal control duties within the City of Selma, unless authorized by the Chief of Police. Any person serving as an animal control officer for the City, must be appointed by the Chief of Police, and will be subject to control by the Chief of Police. If the Chief of Police appoints an animal control officer, that person will be authorized to perform all duties of an animal control officer, including enforcement of all provisions of chapter 2 of this title; the power to serve warrants as specified in Penal Code sections 1523 and 1530; and to issue administrative citations for any violation of the provisions of chapter 2 of this title.

(B) Further, all complaints of animal cruelty shall initially be investigated by the Selma police department or an officer thereof and shall be dealt with by the animal control officer in the manner prescribed by the police department. Nothing in this chapter or section is intended to or shall affect the authority of the chief of police of the city of Selma, or of any peace officer employed by the city of Selma to enforce state and local animal control laws and ordinances as deemed necessary by the chief of police or the peace officer. (Ord. 2014-8, 9-2-2014; amd. Ord. 2023-7, 1-16-2024)