South Lake Tahoe Municipal Code Art. II Animal Control Officer

A. Each animal control officer shall have and is hereby vested with the authority and immunities of a public officer as defined in California Penal Code Section 836.5. Each animal control officer may issue citations for violations of the provisions of this chapter and/or any state law regarding animal control in accordance with and subject to the provisions of state law and this code. The authority to issue citations in accordance with this code shall be alternative to any other manner provided by law.

B. The authority to issue citations shall vest conditionally in a city animal control officer upon the following events:

1. Completion of all necessary background investigations by the chief of police;

2. Interview and recommendation by the chief of police to the superior court; and

3. Completion of all local Humane Society training.

C. Full authority to issue citations shall vest upon the following events:

1. Completion of Penal Code 832 training;

2. Appointment by the superior court pursuant to Civil Code Section 607(f); and

3. Completion of state Humane Society training.

D. If these events have not occurred within a reasonable time, not to exceed one year from the date of conditional appointment, the appointment made on condition shall be null and void and said officer shall have no further authority to issue citations or otherwise act as an animal control officer.

(Ord. 515 § 2; Ord. 641 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-3)

The animal control officer is authorized to take up and impound all stray dogs and all stray animals, except as prohibited by the provisions of Government Code Section 53072.

(Ord. 433 § 1; Ord. 515 § 5; Code 1997 § 6-4)

The animal control officer shall keep a record of all animals impounded which shall show the date of impoundment, license tag number, if any, brand, earmark, or other markings, the date and manner of its disposal and, if redeemed or sold, the name and address of the person by whom redeemed or purchased, the amounts of all fees and other monies received or collected and the disposition thereof.

(Ord. 433 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-5)

When any animal is impounded, such fact shall be recorded by the animal control officer. The animal control officer shall also immediately notify the owner of the impounded animal, if known. Such notification shall, whenever feasible, include, but need not be limited to, a mailed notification of impoundment.

In the case of an impounded dog, the mailed notice shall contain a description of the dog impounded and shall set forth the fact that, unless it is reclaimed before the time specified in said notice, which time shall not be less than three days or more than 10 days from the mailing thereof, the animal control officer shall proceed to dispose of said dog; provided, that all dogs taken into the custody of the animal control officer, which, by reason of disease or injury, are determined by a licensed veterinarian to be unfit for further use or are too dangerous to be kept impounded, shall be destroyed by aid officer in a humane manner as soon thereafter as is conveniently possible and, in the case of the destruction of such dog, the animal control officer shall not be required to give the aforesaid notice, although said officer shall make a reasonable effort to provide notice to the owner of such dog prior to its destruction. The animal control officer shall dispose of any dog which is impounded and unredeemed within the time specified in the mailed notice and in the manner set forth herein.

(Ord. 433 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-6)

The animal control officer shall provide all impounded animals with suitable and adequate food, water and shelter.

(Ord. 433 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-7)

Wherever the payment of fees or charges for animal control services is required by this chapter, the city manager shall establish such fees or charges at a level equal to either the actual cost of providing such service, or the amount charged for similar services by the county of El Dorado, whichever is greater. An appeal of fees or charges for animal control services may be made pursuant to Chapter 2.35 SLTCC.

(Ord. 433 § 1; Ord. 692 § 1; Ord. 1105 § 1 (Exh. B); Code 1997 § 6-8)

The animal control officer shall make a true and correct report to the director of health services on the fifth day of each month of the kind and number of animals impounded during the previous month, of the number redeemed and the fees collected and the number and method of disposal of all animals not redeemed, together with such other information as may be required by the director.

(Ord. 433 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-9)

An animal impounded pursuant to arrest of its owner shall be held and handled in the same manner as an impounded animal whose owner is known to the animal control officer.

(Ord. 725; Code 1997 § 6-9.5)

Upon learning that the body of a dead animal has not been disposed of in a safe and sanitary manner or upon request of a person in charge of such body, the animal control officer shall remove and dispose of said body immediately.

(Ord. 433 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-10)

The animal control officer shall not be required to remove and dispose of bodies of dead animals from state highways or from state or federal property within the city.

Removal of dead animals from city property may be accomplished by the animal control officer under an appropriate agreement.

(Ord. 433 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-11)