Turlock Municipal Code Art. 2 Running At Large Generally

It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any horse, mule, ass, hog, goat, sheep, bull, ox, cow, cattle or rabbit, or any number of such animals, to run at large within the corporate limits of the City, or to be herded or picketed in any street or alley, either in the daytime or nighttime.

It shall be the duty of Animal Services and Control Officers to seize and impound any animal found running at large, herded, or picketed in violation of the provisions of TMC 6-1-201.

(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)

Whenever Animal Services and Control Officers shall have seized any animal that may in his or her judgment be of the value of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or more, photographs and information regarding such animal shall be immediately posted on the City's Internet website. Such notices shall contain a description of the animal impounded and state that if such animal is not claimed within ten (10) days and the costs and charges paid, the animal shall be sold at auction to the highest bidder.

(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)

Animal Services and Control Officers, immediately after seizing and impounding any animal which in his or her judgment is not of the value of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), shall immediately post photographs and information regarding such animal on the City's Internet website. Such notices shall contain a description of the animal impounded and a statement that if such animal is not claimed within five (5) days and the costs and charges paid, the animal shall be sold at auction to the highest bidder.

(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)

Should no person claim any impounded animal and pay all the costs and charges therefor, the animal shall be sold at public auction and the proceeds of such sale shall be retained by Animal Services and Control.

(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)

Animal Services and Control Officers shall keep records of all animals impounded and discharged, including a description of the animal and location of impoundment, whether the animal was redeemed by owner or adopted and by whom. Such records shall be kept for a minimum of five (5) years and are subject to public inspection during regular office hours.

(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)

On or before the tenth (10th) of every month, an Animal Services and Control Officer shall make a written report to the Police Chief stating the disposition of all animals impounded, calls handled by personnel, and monies collected for licenses sold.

(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)

After completing any mandated time requirements for holding an animal in impound, it shall be the duty of Animal Services and Control staff to euthanize any animal lawfully impounded which, by reason of age, disease, injury, or other cause, is unfit for further use or is dangerous to keep impounded.

(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)

It shall be unlawful for any person owning, possessing, controlling, harboring, or keeping any dog, cat, or other animal or fowl to permit such dog, cat, or other animal or fowl to disturb the peace and quiet of any citizen of the City. The term "any citizen" shall mean and include a prudent or reasonable individual, of ordinary sensibility, exercising reasonable care under the totality of the circumstances whose peace is disturbed by such animal(s).

(a) When one (1) citizen complaint of a noise disturbance is received, Animal Services and Control Officers will establish that the animal is properly licensed with the City of Turlock, if applicable, and advise the owner to quiet the animal or remove it from the City limits and/or issue such owner a citation for noise disturbance pursuant to TMC 5-28-110(e).

(b) When the second complaint is received from a citizen, officers will establish that the complaining parties live in separate residences and that both are willing to participate in the owner's prosecution. Then Animal Services and Control Officers shall prepare and forward a nuisance report to the City Attorney for review.

(814-CS, Amended, 07/08/1993; 1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)