Chapter 6.36
FERAL, WILD AND UNDOMESTICATED ANIMALS

Sections:

6.36.010    Keeping wild animals prohibited.

6.36.020    Prohibited feeding of certain wildlife.

6.36.030    Traps.

6.36.040    Wildlife protected.

6.36.050    Feral cats.

6.36.060    Repealed.

6.36.010 Keeping wild animals prohibited.

No person shall keep or maintain any wild animal within the boundaries of the city. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).

6.36.020 Prohibited feeding of certain wildlife.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to feed or in any manner provide food for non-domesticated mammalian predators such as coyotes (Canis latrans). This section shall also include a ban on feeding or providing food to feral cats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, opossums, and squirrels.

B. Exceptions.

1. An owner in legal possession of a wild or nondomesticated animal that is kept under a valid permit issued by the city pursuant to this chapter; and

2. When a person provides food and water to a trapped, injured or unweaned wild or nondomesticated animal during the time the department is notified and the animal has been picked up. (Ord. 09-09 § 1; Ord. 07-72 § 4).

6.36.030 Traps.

A. No person shall set or use any spring steel trap, No. 1 or larger, in the city. This section shall not prohibit the use of gopher traps.

B. It is unlawful to willfully or recklessly disturb, move, obstruct, or damage any humane trap placed and set by the department or any official, employee or representative of the city. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).

6.36.040 Wildlife protected.

A. State and federal law provide protection to wildlife, especially endangered or threatened species, and authorize the prosecution when a listed species has been “taken” according to those laws.

B. Except for trappers licensed by the state or federal government, no person shall hunt, shoot, kill, or molest any species of wildlife or molest or damage the nest or eggs of any wildlife within the city, except any poisonous reptile or insect. A federal trapper is required for trapping possum or skunk.

C. In the event that the city council determines that a species of wildlife has become so numerous in any particular location or area as to constitute a public nuisance or a particular wild animal is a menace to any person’s health, safety or property, the city council may order the species or animal involved either destroyed or otherwise controlled. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).

6.36.050 Feral cats.

The director, in order to encourage the reduction of the feral cat population in the city, may:

A. Trap any feral cat in a humane manner;

B. Have the cat surgically sterilized, ear-tipped, and vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian;

C. Release the cat to animal shelter or local humane society for adoption or other disposition in accordance with law, or to a colony caretaker who will maintain the cat as part of a managed colony of feral cats; and

D. Impound feral cats in violation of this chapter and dispose of the cats in accordance with this title. (Ord. 09-09 § 2; Ord. 07-72 § 4).

6.36.060 Colony caretaker responsibilities.

Repealed by Ord. 09-09. (Ord. 07-72 § 4).