Watsonville Municipal Code Art. 1 Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the content, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as set forth in this article.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992)

“Animal” shall mean any animal, poultry, bird, reptile, fish, or any other vertebrate creature domestic or wild.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992)

“Animal shelter” shall mean the animal services and placement center.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992)

“At large” shall mean the presence of any animal off the premises of its owner and not under restraint by leash or not under confinement in the immediate presence and control of its owner or other person responsible for the possession of the animal.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992)

“Cat” shall mean any cat of either sex over the age of six (6) months.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992)

“Dangerous animal” shall mean any dog or other animal which demonstrates a propensity to assault, bite, scratch, or harass people or other animals without provocation. Any animal that bites a person shall be presumed to be dangerous.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992)

“Director of Animal Control” shall mean the executive director of the Santa Cruz County Animal Services Authority while the City is a member. Otherwise, it shall mean any employee of the City or the head of any contracting agency having the custody and control of animal services and the animal shelter and of animals therein. Any reference to Director of Animal Control shall also include the Director of Animal Control’s duly authorized deputies or designees.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1250-09 (CM), eff. December 10, 2009)

“Dog” shall mean any dog of either sex over the age of four (4) months. “Dog” does not include wolf, wolf hybrid, or coyote hybrid.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992)

“Impounded” shall mean having been received into the custody of the animal services and placement center (animal shelter), or any authorized agent or representative thereof, or any police officer of the City.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992)

“Leash” shall mean a line, cable, chain, cord, or rope, not more than six (6') feet in length, capable of being fastened to the collar or harness of a dog or animal for the purposes of restraint and control.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992)

“Owner” shall mean any person who intentionally and continually provides care or sustenance for any animal, has title to or an interest in, harbors or has control of any animal, including, but not limited to, a dog or cat.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1363-18 (CM), eff. March 15, 2018)

“Pet shop” shall mean any store, or department of any store, or any place of business where dogs, cats, monkeys, birds, reptiles, or any other animals are kept for sale, for hire, or sold.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992)

“Potentially dangerous dog” shall mean:

(a) Any dog which qualifies as a potentially dangerous dog in accordance with California Food and Agriculture Code Section 31602; or

(b) Any dog which while off its owner’s or custodian’s property and not controlled by leash or lead in the hands of an adult capable to restrain the animal attacks and inflicts injury to any domestic animal while such animal is on its owner’s property, custodian’s property, or controlled by leash or lead in the hands of an adult capable to restrain the animal in compliance with this chapter.

(§ 1, Ord. 1250-09 (CM), eff. December 10, 2009)

“Public nuisance” shall mean the act or conduct of any animal or animals which:

(a) Molest, harass, or accost a passerby or passing vehicles; or

(b) Attack or kill other animals; or

(c) Defecate in or on public places, public property, or unenclosed private property of persons other than the owners; or

(d) Trespass on school grounds, public parks, or public property; or

(e) Are repeatedly at large; or

(f) Damage public or private property; or

(g) Bark, whine, or howl in an excessive, continuous, prolonged, habitual, or untimely manner.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1250-09 (CM), eff. December 10, 2009. Formerly 6-1.113)

“Unlicensed dog” shall mean any dog for which the license for the current year has not been paid or to which the tag provided for in this chapter is not attached.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1250-09 (CM), eff. December 10, 2009. Formerly 6-1.114)

“Vicious dog” shall mean:

(a) Any dog which qualifies as a vicious dog in accordance with California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31603; or

(b) Any dog which while off its owner’s or custodian’s property and not controlled by leash or lead in the hands of an adult capable of restraining the animal attacks any domestic animal and causes injuries which result in:

(1) The recommendation of a veterinarian that the animal be euthanized; or

(2) Death of any domestic animal while such animal is on its owner’s property, custodian’s property, or controlled by leash or lead in the hands of an adult capable to restrain the animal in compliance with this chapter.

(§ 1, Ord. 1250-09 (CM), eff. December 10, 2009)

“Wild animal” shall mean any exotic, venomous, nondomestic, or untrained animal which, because of its size, natural disposition, or other characteristic, constitutes a hazard or menace to persons or animals or is likely to cause personal injury or damage property.

(§ 1, Ord. 886-92 C-M, eff. April 9, 1992, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1250-09 (CM), eff. December 10, 2009. Formerly 6-1.115)