Ventura County Municipal Code Art. 7 Wild Animal Control

No person shall have, keep or maintain any wild animal or reptile unless adequate provisions are made for its confinement and control to ensure the maintenance of public peace, health and safety.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

A "wild animal" is an animal or reptile which is wild by nature and not customarily domesticated in Ventura County. This definition does not include birds, small rodents or small, non-poisonous reptiles commonly used for educational or experimental purposes or pets.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

The Division may require adherence to rules and regulations for the United States Department of Agriculture and/or California Department of Fish and Wildlife or make rules regulating 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 Division or the County Health Officer to carry out the purpose of this Article and to ensure the maintenance of humane, sanitary conditions and the safety of persons and property. A copy of any/all rules and regulations adopted by the Division shall be furnished upon request. In applying the regulations to a given situation, the Division shall take into consideration the type, nature, disposition and training of the animal involved.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

Any person failing to comply with any provision of this Article or any rule or regulation of the Division or the County Health Officer made pursuant to the provisions of this Article within ten (10) days after notice of such rule or regulation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor/infraction. An Animal Control Officer, as defined in Section 4493-2, may issue an administrative citation assessing a civil penalty to that person in accordance with, and the person shall be subject to the administrative enforcement provisions set forth in, Article 8.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

Any person keeping or maintaining a wild animal that escapes from its confinement shall immediately notify the Division of such escape.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

Wild animals found running loose may be impounded in accordance with the provisions of Section 4435. However, neither the County nor its officers, agents or employees shall be liable for injury or disease to any animal incurred while said animal is being captured, transported or impounded. Wild animals, when found to be at large and injuring, damaging or threatening to injure or damage any person or property, will be deemed to be a public nuisance and may be summarily destroyed without liability resulting to the County, its officers, agents or employees. Reclamation by an owner or keeper of any impounded wild animal will be permitted upon the payment to the Division of the actual cost to the Division of the capture, impounding and care of such animal provided that all required County, State and Federal permits are also obtained.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 4587, § 1, adopted Oct. 19, 2021, repealed § 4486, which pertained to the release of wild animals and derived from Ord. No. 4457, § 1, adopted Dec. 10, 2013.

Every person who owns, harbors, or keeps any wild animal shall obtain either a current wild animal license or wild animal facility license issued under the provisions of this Article.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

The wild animal license and/or wild animal facility license required by this Article may be obtained by making written application to the Director, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Director that all requested information is provided, the applicant will comply with Section 4480 and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 4482, and paying the proper fee to the Division.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

The fees for the wild animal license and/or wild animal facility license required by this Article shall be as prescribed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

The license period for any wild animal license or wild animal facility license issued pursuant to this Article shall be one (1) year from date of issuance. Renewal shall be made only upon application and payment of the fee provided for the issuance of a license.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

Any wild animal license or wild animal facility license issued under the provisions of this Article may be revoked by the Director or the County Health Officer whenever, in his or her opinion, anyone of the following conditions pertains:

(a) The animal is not kept or maintained in a sanitary or healthful condition;

(b) The animal is not provided with adequate care and supervision;

(c) The animal poses a threat to human life or safety;

(d) The animal poses a threat to personal property;

(e) The animal has in any way become a nuisance; or

(f) There is a violation of the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 4482.

The revocation shall become effective immediately upon either the receipt of actual notice by the applicant or the end of the tenth (10 th ) day after written notice addressed to the applicant at the address shown on his or her application is deposited in the first class mail, return receipt requested, whichever shall first occur.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)

The requirements of this Article shall be deemed to be in addition to, and not in limitation of, the requirement of any applicable County zoning ordinance and laws. A license issued under the provisions of this Article shall not be valid or operate to permit the harboring or keeping of wild animals where this use of land is not permitted under the applicable County zoning ordinance and laws.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013; Ord. No. 4587, § 1, 10-19-2021)