Shafter Municipal Code Ch. 6.48 Control of Neglected and Mistreated Animals

It is the intent of the Shafter city council that no animals are exposed to or involved in conditions which constitute a violation of Section 597(f) of the California Penal Code or other state laws or county ordinances as may be in effect from time to time.

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, it is unlawful for any person to have, maintain, keep or harbor any animals on any premises wherein the physical conditions of the premises constitute a violation of state laws, county or city ordinances.

B. A conviction for violation of any of the sections listed in subsection A of this section arising out of circumstances involving the keeping or harboring of animals shall be prima facie evidence that the person in control or possession of the premises on which the animals are located cannot or will not keep the animals in a healthy condition or cannot or will not keep the premises in a sanitary condition; whereupon, the animal control officer, police officer, other authorized personnel may order the person to remove some or all of the animals from the premises and if the animals are not removed within forty-eight hours after the date of the order, the animal control officer, police officer, other authorized personnel may remove the animal for appropriate disposition. Upon a veterinarians examination and determination that an animal has been neglected or mistreated, the animal may be impounded by the Shafter animal control officer, police officer, other authorized personnel subject to normal board and care fees pending a hearing within seven days of impoundment.

C. Failure to comply with any order given by the animal control officer, police officer, other authorized personnel under subsection B of this section is a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 606 § 1 (part), 2007)