Visalia Municipal Code Ch. 12.34 Off-Leash Dog Areas

The City of Visalia, to meet the needs of dog owners, has identified and designated off-leash dog areas for use by dog owners.

(Ord. 2002-28 § 2 (part), 2002)

As used in this chapter, the following terms are defined in this section:

“Adult” means anyone over the age of eighteen (18) years.

“Handler” means the person who has control and responsibility of the dog(s) while at the park or separate facility.

“Heat” means the season when a female can accept a male and become impregnated.

“Leash” means a strap attached to a dog's collar by a hook with a handle or loop at the end for ease in handling/holding by the owner.

“License” means a current license attached to the dog's collar which shall be worn by the dog while in the park.

“Off-leash dog area” means a posted, fenced area within a park or a separate facility in the city limits of Visalia and/or under the control of the city, created specifically for dog owners to allow their dog(s) to roam freely while within the confines of the fenced area and within sight of their owner.

“Owner” means the legal owner of a licensed dog.

“Regulations” means rules under which the park is operated and to which users must adhere adopted by the community services director.

“Vaccination” means an inoculation of virus required to receive a license as required by Visalia Municipal Code Section 6.12.070.

(Ord. 2002-28 § 2 (part), 2002)

The community services director of the City of Visalia is authorized to adopt and amend regulations for the use of off-leash dog areas. A copy of said regulations shall be maintained in the office of the city clerk and community services director. Said regulations include, but are not limited to:

1. Owners are legally responsible for their dog(s) and any injuries caused by their dog(s). Use of the dog area is at owner's risk.

2. No dog under the age of four (4) months shall be allowed in an off-leash dog area.

3. All dog(s) must have current vaccinations as required in Section 6.12.070 of the Visalia Municipal Code.

4. All dog(s) must be licensed. All licenses must be on the dog's collar and the collar must be on the dog at all times.

5. No dog(s) in heat are allowed within the off-leash dog area.

6. Owners may not have more than three (3) dogs with them in the off-leash area at any given time.

7. Dogs are required to wear a basic flat buckle collar, training collar, or harness with identification tags at all times.

8. Dogs shall be escorted to and from the off-leash area on a leash which does not exceed six (6) feet in length.

9. Owners are responsible for the immediate removal of fecal matter deposited in the off-leash area by their dog. All feces must be properly disposed of in the receptacles provided within the off-leash area.

10. No aggressive dogs are allowed within the off-leash dog area. A dog displaying aggressive behavior to people or dogs is required to immediately leave the park for that day.

11. No children under the age of ten (10) are allowed in the off-leash dog area. Children ages ten (10) to fourteen (14) must be accompanied by an adult.

12. Sports activities, bicycles, picnics, etc. are not permitted in the off-leash dog area.

13. Valley Oak SPCA employees shall have the right to enter an off-leash dog area and enforce all animal control regulations by the authority given to them under Chapter 6.04 of the Visalia Municipal Code.

14. Violators of the above stated rules may be removed from the park and park privileges may be suspended.

15. The City of Visalia reserves the right to close the off-leash dog areas.

16. Dog(s) shall not be left unattended in the off-leash area. Handler must be with the dog(s) at all times.

(Ord. 2002-28 § 2 (part), 2002)

The off-leash dog area shall be open from dawn to dusk daily subject to city's right to close such areas in its discretion. Hours of operation shall be posted at entrances to the off-leash dog area.

(Ord. 2002-28 § 2 (part), 2002)

Signs shall be clearly posted at the entrance to the off-leash dog area and between on- and off-leash dog areas. Signs shall identify the off-leash dog area, regulations for use, and the hours of operation.

(Ord. 2002-28 § 2 (part), 2002)

Any person violating the provisions of this chapter or regulations adopted hereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and if convicted subject to the penalties set forth in Section 1.12.010.

Notwithstanding the classification of a violation of this chapter as a misdemeanor, at the time an action is commenced to enforce the provisions of this chapter, the trial court, upon recommendation of the prosecuting attorney, may reduce the charge of the offense from a misdemeanor to an infraction pursuant to California Penal Code Section 19(c)

In addition to the above penalties, any person violating the provisions of this chapter will be prohibited from using the park for a period determined by the community services director in his/her discretion. Notification of this prohibition shall occur by mail to the address indicated on the citation and shall be deemed valid notice whether or not received.

(Ord. 2002-28 § 2 (part), 2002)

The city council declares that it would have passed this chapter sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph, and section by section, and does hereby declare that the provisions of this chapter are severable and, if for any reason any sentence, paragraph, or section of this chapter shall be held invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining parts of this chapter.

(Ord. 2002-28 § 2 (part), 2002)