CHAPTER 7.20
IMPOUNDMENT AND ENFORCEMENT
Section
7.20.010 Impoundment authorized - when
7.20.020 Impounded animals - notice -animal sale conditions
7.20.030 Impounded dogs and cats - care and disposal
7.20.040 Redemption of impounded animals
7.20.050 Retention of animals - authorized - when
7.20.070 Destruction or other care of animals - fees
7.20.010 IMPOUNDMENT AUTHORIZED - WHEN.
It shall be the duty of an Animal Control Officer to take up within the City and impound:
A. Any animal not having attached to its body a current license tag, where such is required by Chapter 7.12.
B. Any dog, when there is reason to believe the animal has been abandoned by the owner thereof.
C. Any animal found trespassing on public or private property when such animal has destroyed anything of value on the property, or is committing a nuisance thereon.
D. Any female dog running at large while in heat.
E. Any vicious dog not under the immediate control of the owner or keeper.
F. Any dog found on any public street, alley, park, or other public place when such dog is not under the immediate control of its owner or keeper.
G. Any dog trespassing upon any parcel of property whereon livestock or domestic fowl are kept.
H. Any animal staked or tied on any street or other public place or upon any private property without the consent of the owner or occupant thereof.
I. Any animal when, in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer, such taking up is necessary for the health and safety of the community.
J. Any animal at large in violation of any law of the State.
K. Any animal, when such impounding is, in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer, necessary to facilitate investigation, prosecution or enforcement of this chapter or any other law of the City or State.
(Ord. 891, § 2, passed 02-14-2011)
7.20.020 IMPOUNDED ANIMALS - NOTICE.
The Humane Society shall, within 24 hours after the impounding of any domestic animal, cause to be mailed to the place of business or residence of the owner, if known, a written notice that such animal has been impounded and the date of the impounding. If such owner or keeper is not known to the Humane Society, then the Humane Society shall, within such period of 24 hours post a like notice on the bulletin board at the shelter at which the animal is impounded, such notice to be kept posted for at least 96 hours after impounding. (Ord. 891, § 2, passed 02-14-2011)
7.20.030 IMPOUNDED DOGS AND CATS- CARE AND DISPOSAL.
Any dog or cat impounded as set forth in this chapter shall be cared for by the Humane Society for the period established under the Cal. Food & Agriculture Code, and after the expiration of such time, if not redeemed, shall be put up for adoption to any qualified person upon submission of an application and payment of an adoption fee or humanely destroyed; provided that prior to the disposal of any licensed dog duly impounded, a written notice shall be sent to the last address of the owner as shown on licensing records, notifying the owner that the dog is subject to disposal unless redeemed within ten (10) days after mailing of the notice. (Ord. 891, § 2, passed 02-14-2011)
7.20.040 REDEMPTION OF IMPOUNDED ANIMALS.
Except as provided in § 7.20.050 below, any animal taken up and impounded under the terms of this chapter may be redeemed by the owner thereof at any time prior to actual disposal of the animal upon the payment of fees and costs as provided by § 7.20.060 of this chapter, and upon presentation of evidence that the animal is duly licensed, where such license is required. A signed declaration of ownership shall be prima facie evidence of ownership, and shall justify release of the animal to the declared owner. (Ord. 891, § 2, passed 02-14-2011)
7.20.050 RETENTION OF ANIMALS AUTHORIZED - WHEN.
If, in his or her discretion, the Animal Control Officer determines that any animal impounded under the terms of this chapter should be retained by the City to facilitate investigation, prosecution, or other enforcement of this chapter or other City or State law, or if, in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer, the animal is a threat to the public health, safety or welfare, he or she may refuse to permit redemption of the animal until, in his or her opinion, the need for retention no longer exists. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, whenever an impounded animal is determined by the Animal Control Officer in consultation with a veterinarian to constitute a public health hazard, the animal may be humanely destroyed by the Animal Control Officer. (Ord. 891, § 2, passed 02-14-2011)
7.20.060 IMPOUNDMENT FEES
The Humane Society shall charge and collect fees for impounding animals, established from time to time by resolution of the City Council. (Ord. 891, § 2, passed 02-14-2011)
7.20.070 DESTRUCTION OR OTHER CARE OF ANIMALS - FEES.
The Humane Society may establish reasonable charges for destruction of animals, placement of animals for adoption to a qualified person, or other disposal, when such service is requested by the owner of the animal, but shall not charge less than the reasonable cost of such services; provided, however, that if such charges in a given case would likely result in the abandonment of an animal, such animal may be taken from its owner with no charge. (Ord. 891, § 2, passed 02-14-2011)