Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Art. 2 Wild Animal Control

* Article 2 entitled “Dogs,” consisting of Sections 6-1.201 through 6-1.220,recodified from Sections 4411 through 4420, 4432, 4433, 4461, 4462, 4468, 4473 and 4474, T.O.O.C., as amended by VC Ordinance No. 1285, Sections I and II, Ordinance No 116-NS, effective November 6, 1969, Section 2, Ordinance No. 194-NS, effective March 25, 1971, Section 3, Ordinance No. 218-NS, effective August 19, 1971, Section 1, Ordinance No. 429-NS, effective March 21, 1974, Sections 9, 10 and 11, Ordinance No. 496-NS, effective October 10, 1974, Section XXII, 770-NS, effective February 26, 1981, Section 1,960-NS, effective May 19, 1987 and Ordinance No. 1052-NS, effective November 1, 1988, and repealed by Section 24, Ordinance No. 1374-NS, effective April 26, 2001.

For the purposes of this article, “wild animal” shall mean an animal or reptile which is wild by nature and not customarily domesticated in the City. “Wild animal” shall not include birds, small rodents, or small, nonpoisonous reptiles commonly used for educational or experimental purposes or for pets.

(§ 4480, T.O.O.C., as added by Ord. 69, as renumbered by § 25, Ord. 1374-NS, eff. April 26, 2001)

No person shall have, keep, or maintain any wild animal without first obtaining a permit so to do from the City Manager.

(§ 4481, T.O.O.C., as added by Ord. 69, as amended by § 1, Ord. 489-NS, eff. August 22, 1974, as renumbered by § 25, Ord. 1374-NS, eft. April 26, 2001)

The City Manager shall not issue a permit to have, keep, or maintain a wild animal unless adequate provisions are made and conditions are imposed for the confinement and control of the wild animal to protect the public peace, health, and safety and to assure humane and sanitary conditions for the animal.

(§ 4481, T.O.O.C., as added by Ord. 69, as amended by § 1, Ord. 489-NS, eff. August 22, 1974, as renumbered by § 25, Ord. 1374-NS, eft. April 26, 2001)

Permits to have, keep, and maintain wild animals shall be in writing and shall contain the following information:

(a) The name and address of the applicant;

(b) The particular place and type of animal for which the permit is granted;

(c) The provisions and conditions necessary to protect the public peace, health, and safety; and

(d) The expiration date which shall not exceed one year from the date of the issuance of the permit unless otherwise specified.

(§ 4481, T.O.O.C., as added by Ord. 69, as renumbered by § 25, Ord. 1374-NS, eff. April 26, 2001)

The Department of Animal Control may make regulations regarding the size and type of cage or other means of confinement, the distance from the place of confinement to adjoining property, and any other regulations deemed reasonably necessary by the Department of Animal Control or the Health Officer to carry out the purposes of this article and to insure the maintenance of humane, sanitary conditions and the safety of persons and property. A copy of such regulations shall be furnished by the Department of Animal Control upon request. The regulations shall be in addition to, but shall not supersede, any conditions attached to a permit. In applying the regulations to a given situation, the Department of Animal Control shall take into consideration the type, nature, disposition, and training of the animal involved.

(§ 4482, T.O.O.C., as added by Ord. 69, as renumbered by § 25, Ord. 1374-NS, eff. April 26, 2001)

Any person keeping or maintaining a wild animal which escapes from its confinement shall immediately notify the Department of Animal Control of such escape.

(§ 4484, T.O.O.C., as added by Ord. 69, as renumbered by § 25, Ord. 1574-NS, eff. April 26, 2001)

Wild animals found running at large may be impounded in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of this chapter; provided, however, neither the City nor its officers, agents, or employees shall be liable for injury or disease to any animal incurred while such animal is being captured, transported, or impounded. The reclamation by an owner or keeper of any impounded wild animal shall be permitted upon the payment to the Department of Animal Control of the actual cost to the Department of the capture, impounding, and care of such animal.

(§ 4485, T.O.O.C., as added by Ord. 69, as renumbered by § 25, Ord. 1374-NS, eff. April 26, 2001)

Wild animals, when found to be at large and injuring or damaging, or threatening to injure or damage, any person or property shall be deemed to be a public nuisance and may be summarily destroyed without liability resulting to the City or its officer, agents, or employees.

(§ 4485, T.O.O.C., as added by Ord. 69, as renumbered by § 25, Ord. 1374-NS, eff. April 26, 2001)

Any person failing to comply with any provision of this article, any condition of the permit provided for in this article, or any rule or regulation of the Department of Animal Control or the Health Officer within ten (10) days after notice shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this Code pursuant to Section 1-2.01 of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of this Code.

(§ 4483, T.O.O.C., as added by Ord. 69, as amended by § XXIV, Ord. 770-NS, eff. February 26, 1981, as renumbered by § 25, Ord. 1374-NS, eff. April 26, 2001)