Chapter 8.14 DOGS AND OTHER DOMESTICATED ANIMALS

(a) Dogs shall be licensed within thirty days of obtaining the age of four months or within thirty days of acquisition by owner, whichever occurs later.

(b) Licenses shall be valid for up to thirty-six months from date of issuance and shall be issued upon payment of the fee required by city of Santa Cruz resolution.

(d) No license shall be issued unless proof of antirabies vaccination is presented and is valid for the license period.

(e) A license may be sold for less than the full license period if the antirabies vaccination expires prior to the full license period. Fees for partial-term licenses will be prorated on a monthly basis with a minimum fee of $5.00 to cover administrative costs.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 85-61 § 1, 1985: Ord. 81-43 § 1, 1981: Ord. 70-7 § 1 (part), 1970).

8.14.020 LICENSES.

(a) License tags shall be securely displayed upon dogs at all times except when the dog is confined to the owner’s premises or displayed in an exhibition.

(b) A license is not transferable to another dog and shall be void upon transfer of a licensed dog to another owner; provided, however, that a new license may be purchased for the license replacement fee as set by city of Santa Cruz resolution.

(c) A dog displaying a current license from a California jurisdiction outside Santa Cruz County shall not require licensing under this chapter until expiration of the current license if the dog remains in the possession of the license holder and the appropriate Santa Cruz transfer fee is paid.

(d) A penalty as set by city of Santa Cruz resolution shall be charged for late renewal of a license. Late renewal is defined as the first day of the month past the due date.

(e) A penalty as set by city of Santa Cruz resolution shall be charged to any owner who fails to apply for an initial Santa Cruz County license within the times specified in this chapter.

(f) Any penalty shall be in addition to the applicable license fee and payable at the time of issuance.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 85-61 § 1, 1985: Ord. 81-43 § 1, 1981: Ord. 70-7 § 1 (part), 1970).

8.14.030 EXCEPTIONS FROM LICENSING AND WAIVER OF FEES.

(a) Fees shall be waived for licenses issued for any recognized guide, signal or service dog upon presentment of an affidavit by the dog’s owner. A guide, signal or service dog license shall be valid for the life of the dog or so long as the dog remains the property of the person named in the affidavit.

(b) License fees for dogs owned by persons aged sixty-five or older shall be reduced by the amount equal to the license fee for a sexually unreproductive dog for one dog per household.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 85-61 § 1, 1985: Ord. 70-7 § 1 (part), 1970).

8.14.040 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS.

Every owner of any dog over the age of four months within the limits of the city of Santa Cruz shall, at intervals specified by the California State Department of Health Services, procure the vaccination of said dog by a licensed veterinarian with an approved canine antirabies vaccine.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 85-61 § 1, 1985: Ord. 70-7 § 1 (part), 1970).

8.14.045 CERTIFICATE OF ANTIRABIES VACCINATION.

Any veterinarian who vaccinates or causes or directs to be vaccinated in the city of Santa Cruz any dog with the antirabies vaccine shall:

(1) Use a certificate approved by the Santa Cruz County animal services authority to certify that such animal has been vaccinated; and

(2) Send a copy of the completed certificate to the Santa Cruz County animal services authority within thirty days from the date the dog is vaccinated.

(3) If a dog is vaccinated for rabies by a veterinarian located outside the county of Santa Cruz, the owner/guardian or person with a right to control the dog must submit a copy of the vaccination certificate to the Santa Cruz County animal services authority within thirty days from the date that the dog is vaccinated or brought into the county, whichever date is later in time.

(Ord. 2011-08 § 8, 2011).

8.14.050 VACCINATION EXEMPTIONS.

The provisions of Section 8.14.040 shall not apply to require the vaccination of any dog that has been certified in writing by a licensed veterinarian to be unable to undergo a vaccination because of a danger to the health of the dog.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 85-61 § 1, 1985: Ord. 70-7 § 1 (part), 1970).

8.14.060 LICENSING AUTHORITY.

The Santa Cruz SPCA is hereby authorized and declared the pet licensing authority for the city of Santa Cruz and shall collect all related fees. License fees shall be remitted to the agency in whose jurisdiction the fee originated.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 85-61 § 1, 1985: Ord. 70-7 § 1 (part), 1970).

8.14.070 COMMISSIONS AND VENDOR FEES.

(a) The licensing authority may deduct a fee, as set by resolution, from each license fee collected by the authority to cover commissions paid to outside salespersons. The commission shall only be deducted from licenses actually sold by outside salespersons.

(b) The licensing authority may deduct a fee, as set by resolution, from each license fee collected by the authority to cover fees paid to license vendors. The vendor fee shall only be deducted from licenses actually sold by vendors.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 85-61 § 1, 1985: Ord. 70-7 § 1 (part), 1970).

8.14.120 VACCINATION UPON IMPOUNDED DOG.

Prior to the release of any dog from the animal shelter by either redemption or sale, the party redeeming or purchasing shall either present proof of antirabies vaccination or pay a fee to the poundmaster for the services of a licensed veterinarian to vaccinate the dog.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 85-61 § 1, 1985: Ord. 70-7 § 1 (part), 1970).

8.14.130 NUMBER OF FEMALE DOGS KEPT IN ANY ONE PLACE.

It is unlawful for any person other than a duly licensed veterinarian or dog kennel operator to keep or maintain more than one unspayed female dog at or within any one residence within the city.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 85-61 § 1, 1985: Ord. 70-7 § 1 (part), 1970).

8.14.199 DOGS ON UCSC CAMPUS.

(a) It is unlawful for any person having ownership, custody or control of any dog to cause, suffer or permit such dog to be anywhere on the campus of the University of California at Santa Cruz, whether with or without a leash. “Campus” includes all land owned by the University of California at Santa Cruz which is located within the city limits of the city of Santa Cruz in the vicinity of Empire Grade, High Street, Glenn Coolidge Drive and McLaughlin Drive including all portions of such land that are occupied by campus facilities and all contiguous, undeveloped portions of such land.

(b) This section shall not apply to any of the following:

(1) Dogs that are fully confined within a vehicle; and

(2) Dogs which are on the campus in conformity with rules adopted by the University of California at Santa Cruz and filed with the UCSC campus police department; three copies of such rules shall also be filed with the office of the city clerk of the city of Santa Cruz.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 79-18 § 1, 1979).

8.14.200 DOGS IN PUBLIC PLACES – PROHIBITED LOCATIONS.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) and Section 8.14.201, it is unlawful for any person owning, having an interest in, harboring or having charge of the care, custody, control or possession of any dog to cause or permit such dog to be in any of the following locations, whether with or without a leash;

(a) On any public beach within the city of Santa Cruz;

(b) Within any portion of the watercourse of the San Lorenzo River within the city of Santa Cruz; said “watercourse” includes the river and all portions of its banks up to the highest point of the bank on each side of the river;

(c) On any portion of the street, sidewalk or other public property within that area generally known or defined as the Pacific Avenue Mall:

(A) Pacific Avenue between Water Street and Laurel Street;

(B) Locust Street, Church Street, Walnut Avenue and Lincoln Street between Cedar Street and Pacific Avenue and Front Street, unless completely confined within a motor vehicle (as provided in Section 8.14.340);

(d) On any portion of the street, sidewalk or other public property of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, unless completely confined within a motor vehicle (as provided in Section 8.14.340);

(e) On any portion of San Lorenzo Park; and

(f) On the Depot Park athletic field.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the parks and recreation director may, by regulation, designate certain beach and park areas, roads and trails for use by dogs or, by regulation, designate that any such park area, road or trail shall not be used by dogs. The director shall promulgate regulations to protect such beach and park property so as to ensure that use by persons with dogs is compatible with use of these areas by other persons.

(Ord. 2005-07 § 1, 2005: Ord. 93-07 § 1, 1993: Ord. 92-25 § 1, 1992: Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 85-76 § 3, 1986: Ord. 79-39 § 2, 1979: Ord. 76-23 § 1, 1976: Ord. 70-7 § 1 (part), 1970).

8.14.201 EXEMPTIONS TO PROHIBITION.

Sections 8.14.199 and 8.14.200 shall not apply to the following circumstances:

(a) To any recognized service animal, including a dog and as otherwise defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, as codified in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 28, Part 35, including but not limited to 28 CFR 35.104 and 28 CFR 35.136.

(b) To any recognized guide, signal, or service dog, as defined by California Law, California Civil Code Section 54.1(b)(6)(C).

(Ord. 2019-14 § 1, 2019: Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 79-39 § 2, 1979: Ord. 76-23 § 2, 1976).

8.14.205 DOGS DOWNTOWN.

(1) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary set forth in Section 8.14.200 and subject to the restrictions set forth in this subsection and all other applicable regulations set forth in this title, any person who owns or has custody, control or possession of a dog may bring that dog to the city’s downtown neighborhood as defined in subsection (2).

(a) The dog shall at all times be on a leash, as defined in Section 8.04.010(j). No more than one dog shall be clipped to any such leash. The dog shall at all times be no further than three feet away from the person holding the dog’s leash.

(b) The dog shall be in the company of no more than one other dog. Groups or packs of dogs comprised of three or more dogs are prohibited.

(c) The dog shall at all times be accompanied by its owner or the person who has custody, control or possession of the dog and shall at no time be left unattended by the owner or the person who has custody, control or possession of the dog. Any unattended dog may immediately be taken into custody by the police department, animal services authority or any other person or entity appointed by the city manager to perform this function.

(d) The dog shall at no time be tied or tethered to any pole, bench, planter or other structure or object on the street or sidewalk or to any structure in the public right-of-way affixed to any building. The dog shall at all times be physically connected by leash to the dog’s owner or other person who has custody, control or possession of the dog.

(e) Dogs shall not be permitted in the downtown neighborhood as defined in subsection (2) between sunset and sunrise.

(f) The dog must visibly display collar tags evidencing the fact that the dog is currently vaccinated and currently licensed by the city of Santa Cruz or another valid licensing jurisdiction.

(2) As used in this section the term “downtown” or “downtown neighborhood” shall refer to that area of the city of Santa Cruz within the following boundaries and to the following parks:

(a) North boundary – Water Street; South boundary – Laurel Street; West boundary – Cedar Street; East boundary – Front Street;

(b) Scope Park;

(3) A violation of this section shall constitute an infraction. Any violation of this section committed within forty-eight hours of a prior violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 2011-08 § 7, 2011).

8.14.215 REMOVAL OF DOG DROPPINGS REQUIRED.

Any person owning, having an interest in, harboring or having charge of the care, custody, control or possession of any dog which defecates upon public property (including, but not limited to, streets, walkways and parks) in the city of Santa Cruz must immediately remove and properly dispose of the feces. Failure to so remove and dispose of the feces shall constitute an infraction. Nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize any person to enter upon the private property of another without permission.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 82-22 § 2, 1982).

8.14.310 PROHIBITION AGAINST PERMITTING DOGS AT LARGE.

It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to permit or allow such dog to be at large anywhere in the city of Santa Cruz. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a dog entered in a dog show or field trial and under reasonable control.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.320 LEASH REQUIRED FOR DOGS OFF PREMISES.

It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to permit or allow such dog to be away from the premises of its owner at any time if not securely restrained by a leash as defined in Section 8.04.010(j).

(Ord. 2011-08 § 6, 2011: Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.330 SAFETY OF ANIMALS IN MOTOR VEHICLES.

No person shall transport or carry on any public highway or public roadway any dog or other animal in a motor vehicle unless the animal is safely enclosed within the vehicle, or, if traveling in an unenclosed vehicle (including but not limited to convertibles, pickup and flat-bed trucks), confined by a container, cage, or other device that will prevent the animal from falling or jumping from the motor vehicle.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.340 SAFETY OF ANIMALS IN PARKED VEHICLES.

No person shall leave any animal in any standing or parked vehicle in such a way as to endanger the animal’s health, safety or welfare. An animal control officer, State Humane Officer, or police or safety officer is hereby authorized to use reasonable force to enter and remove the animal from the vehicle whenever it appears that the animal’s health, safety or welfare is or will be endangered.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.380 ANIMALS DEFECATING ON PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PROPERTY.

It is unlawful for the owner of any animal to allow or permit such animal to defecate on any public property or improved private property other than that of the owner.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.390 ANIMAL NOISES.

It is unlawful for any person to keep or harbor any dog, cat or other animal, whether licensed or not, which by howling, yelping, barking or other noise disturbs any person.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.400 PROHIBITION AGAINST DOGS HARASSING, THREATENING OR INJURING PERSONS.

It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to suffer or permit the same to annoy and harass, chase, threaten to inflict or inflict injury of any kind on any person.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.410 PROHIBITION AGAINST DOGS OR OTHER DOMESTICATED ANIMALS KILLING OR INJURING OTHER DOGS OR OTHER DOMESTICATED ANIMALS.

It is unlawful for the owner of any dog or other domesticated animal to suffer or permit the same to cause the death of another dog or other domesticated animal, except where the offending animal is acting in self-defense or where the incident occurs on the property of the owner of the offending animal. The poundmaster may impound any dog or domesticated animal found at large in violation of this section and the poundmaster may declare the dog or domesticated animal to be a vicious animal and act according to the procedure set forth in Sections 8.08.130 and 8.08.140 of this code.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.420 PROHIBITION AGAINST PERMITTING LIVESTOCK OR WILD ANIMALS TO TRESPASS OR BE AT LARGE.

No person owning or having care, custody or control of any ox, steer, bull, cow, horse, calf, sheep, goat, hog or any animal commonly referred to as a “wild species” shall:

(a) Permit such animal to be at large in the city of Santa Cruz;

(b) Cause or permit any such animal to be pastured, herded, staked or tied in any street, lane, alley, park or other public place;

(c) Tie, stake, pasture or permit the tying, staking or pasturing of any such animal upon any private property within the city of Santa Cruz, without the consent of the owner or occupant of such property or in such a way as to permit any such animal to trespass upon any street or public place or upon any such private property;

(d) Permit any such animal to be or remain during the nighttime secured in an unsafe manner by a stake, or secured in any manner other than by enclosing such animal in a pen, corral or barn sufficient and adequate to restrain such animal; and

(e) Nothing in this section is intended to supersede any provision of Santa Cruz Municipal Code Title 24, the Zoning Ordinance.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.430 PROHIBITION AGAINST DOGS THREATENING OR INJURING WILD GAME OR LIVESTOCK.

It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to suffer or permit the same, under any circumstances, to chase, threaten to inflict or inflict injury of any kind on any wild game as defined in Fish and Game Code Section 3950 or on any kind of any domestic livestock, including cows, sheep, horses and chickens.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.432 CINCHES, SADDLE GIRTHS AND BUCKING AND FLANKING STRAPS.

No sharp or cutting objects in cinch, saddle or flank straps shall be permitted. Only sheepskin-lined flanking straps shall be used on bucking stock and shall be of the quick-release type. Flank straps shall be placed on the animal so the sheepskin-covered portion is over both flanks and belly of the animal. Flanking straps shall be released immediately upon the completion of any event in which they are employed. Bucking or flanking straps shall not be over-tightened or otherwise used to torment, torture or practice any cruelty on any animal, as such terms are defined in Section 599(b) of the California Penal Code.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.434 ELECTRIC PRODS.

The use of electric prods on livestock in rodeos and similar contests shall not be permitted to torture, torment or practice cruelty on any animal, as such terms are defined in Section 599(b) of the California Penal Code.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.436 BLOODLESS BULLFIGHTS.

Bloodless bullfights are prohibited.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.438 ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS PRESENT AT RODEOS AND SIMILAR EVENTS.

Animal control officers shall be present at all rodeos and similar events to ensure that animals participating in or being utilized in those types of events are not tortured, tormented or treated with cruelty as such terms are defined in Section 599(b) of the California Penal Code. The event organizer shall notify the poundmaster at least one week prior to the event.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.440 UNRESTRAINED VICIOUS ANIMALS.

It is unlawful to permit any vicious animal to go unrestrained. Any vicious animal may be required by written order of the poundmaster to be confined to its owner’s premises and allowed at liberty only under the direct control of its owner while on a leash and properly muzzled to prevent harm or injury to the public.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.445 POSSESSION OF WILD ANIMAL SPECIES PROHIBITED.

(a) Prohibition. No person shall possess, keep or have care, custody or control of any animal belonging to a “wild species,” as defined in Section 2118 of the California Fish and Game Code, anywhere in the city of Santa Cruz.

(b) Exemption. This section shall not apply to persons having a valid permit from the State Department of Fish and Game under Fish and Game Code Section 2150 et seq. to possess an animal belonging to a “wild species.” However, this section shall apply to any such person whose preexisting valid permit expires and is not renewed or is revoked.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.455 USE OF STEEL-JAWED, LEG-HOLD TRAPS.

It shall be unlawful for any person to set, trigger, activate or otherwise use, or cause to be set, triggered, activated or used, any steel-jawed, leg-hold trap to be used for the capture of any animal, except as provided in California Health and Safety Code, Section 1803.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.560 ANIMAL SHELTER.

All animals which are subject to being impounded, as provided herein, shall be kept, safely held, and, as authorized herein, disposed of in a suitable building or enclosure which shall be known and designated as the “Santa Cruz County ASA.”

(a) Every person except the poundmaster or a deputy poundmaster taking up any stray animal found at large contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall, within eight business hours thereafter, give notice of possession to the Santa Cruz County ASA along with the following information:

(1) The name and address of the person possessing the animal;

(2) A complete description of such animal, including tattoos or other distinguishing marks, if any;

(3) The license number of such animal, if any, and by what county or municipal corporation issued. If such animal has no license, such person shall so state; and

(4) The place where such animal is confined.

(b) The poundmaster shall pick up and shall thereupon hold and dispose of such animal in the same manner as though such animal had been found at large and impounded.

(Ord. 2011-08 § 3, 2011: Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.580 STRAY ANIMALS.

(Reserved)

8.14.590 DUTY TO REPORT ANIMAL BITES.

Whenever any person has knowledge that an animal has bitten any person, the person having such knowledge shall report this fact forthwith to the county health officer or to the poundmaster. The report shall state the name and address of the person bitten, the time and place such person was bitten and the location, description and ownership of the animal involved.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.600 QUARANTINE OF DOGS AND CATS.

(a) Whenever there is cause to believe that any dog or cat has bitten a person, or whenever ordered by the poundmaster, the owner of that animal shall quarantine the animal for a period of ten days.

(b) Unless the biting animal’s owner has proof of a current rabies shot, and the enforcement officer determines that the owner has the proper facilities in which to confine the animal adequately, biting dogs and cats shall be immediately quarantined at the owner’s expense at the animal shelter, a veterinary facility or a boarding kennel. If a vaccination is determined to be necessary, the animal shall be vaccinated at the owner’s expense.

(c) If the owner of such animal fails to quarantine such animal and keep it confined for the period required, the poundmaster shall impound such animal for the required period and charge the owner for the impounding and keeping of such animal in accordance with Sections 8.12.050 and 8.12.060 respectively.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.610 IMPOUNDMENT OF OTHER BITING ANIMALS.

In conjunction with the county health officer, the poundmaster may order the impoundment of any animal other than a dog or cat which has bitten any person.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988).

8.14.700 KENNEL LICENSE.

The license tax required by this chapter to be paid by the owner or person having the custody or control of any dog for the privilege of having or keeping any such dog in the city shall not apply to any person conducting a breeding or sales dog kennel in the city, but every person conducting such dog kennel shall pay to the city for the privilege of keeping any such dog in such dog kennel a business license fee as set by resolution of the city council. The amount of such license shall be paid to the city treasurer and upon payment thereof the city treasurer shall issue as many metal tags as the person conducting such dog kennel shall require, not to exceed the maximum number which the payment of such license shall entitle him to keep. The city treasurer shall enter in a register kept for that purpose the name and address of the person conducting such dog kennel, the location of such dog kennel, the number of dogs therein for which licenses were issued, the number of tags issued and the date of their issuance.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 70-7 § 1 (part), 1970).

8.14.710 TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP – NOTICE REQUIRED.

Each owner or operator of any dog kennel, dog hospital or pet shop and any person engaged in the business of breeding dogs or as a veterinarian who sells, gives away or in any manner causes the ownership or permanent possession of any dog, whether over four months of age or not, to be transferred to any person who is a resident of the city of Santa Cruz shall notify the city treasurer in writing of that fact within five days after the date of such sale or transfer. Such notice shall state the kind of dog, the name of the dog, if any, and the name and address of the person to whom the dog has been sold or transferred.

(Ord. 88-63 § 4, 1988: Ord. 70-7 § 1 (part), 1970).