CHAPTER 1
ANIMALS GENERALLY
ARTICLE 6. DOGS, CATS AND OTHER ANIMALS/PROHIBITIONS
SECTION:
§4153 DOGS
It shall be unlawful and an infraction for any person who owns, harbors or keeps any dog:
A. To permit or cause such dog to run at large, roam or run estray; to fail to keep the dog under physical control when the dog is upon any public property or private property without the express permission of the owner or the custodian of such property. Dogs permitted on public property must be on a leash not exceeding six feet (6’) in length.
B. To permit the dogs to defecate upon public property, including but not limited to, any public sidewalk or public area commonly occupied or traversed on foot by members of the public, unless the person immediately removes the feces and properly disposes of it. Visually handicapped persons who use guide dogs are exempt from this law.
C. To permit any dog to be unlicensed.
D. To permit any dog to remain unrestrained without an appropriate fence, chain, leash, or enclosure.
E. To permit or take any dog into a restaurant, grocery store, meat market, supermarket, fruit store or any place where food is sold, dispensed or served to members of the public. Exempted from this law are guide dogs under the immediate and effective control of their owners.
F. To permit any dog, known to be vicious and/or at large, to be kept on any private property in such a manner as to endanger the safety of any person lawfully entering such premises. In addition, a sign must be posted in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance to the premises with lettering at least two inches (2") ln height and width reading:
"BEWARE OF VICIOUS DOG"
(Ord. 923, §2, adopted 1991)
§4154 CATS
It shall be unlawful and an infraction for any person who owns or harbors or keeps any cat:
A. To permit a cat to damage property, public or private, real or personal, or to bite, scratch, or claw any human being or other animal which is on the property of another.
B. To take a cat into any of the places set forth in §4153 paragraph E. (Ord. 923, §2, adopted 1991)
§4155 NUISANCE
It shall be unlawful and an infraction to permit dogs, cats or other animals to engage in any conduct which would constitute a public nuisance. When Animal Control receives a complaint regarding a dog or animal which presents a physical menace to the safety or the neighborhood and, upon receiving a written complaint(s) from one or more persons residing or working in the surrounding neighborhood who complains that any dog, cat or other animal is a habitual nuisance so as to disturb the peace and quiet of the surrounding neighborhood, or by reason of its actions causes undue annoyance, or whose habitual barking, howling or other sound, cry, or habitual excessive loud and shrill noises interferes with any person of ordinary sensitivity in the reasonable and comfortable enjoyment of life and property, the City will investigate the complaint, and if such condition is found to exist, an order to conform may be issued requiring said owner or custodian of the dog, cat or other animal to abate such nuisance immediately. Failure to comply with the notice to abate such nuisance in compliance with the specific requirements contained in the notice shall be deemed a violation of this Section and subject the violator to such penalties and fines as are set forth in this Chapter, and may subject the animal to impoundment. The aggrieved animal owner may file a written appeal of such order of abatement or an impoundment of said animal in the form of a written "Notice of Appeal" with Animal Control. The appeal hearing will be conducted pursuant to procedures set forth in §4185. (Ord. 923, §2, adopted 1991)
§4156 GENERAL PROHIBITIONS
A. It is unlawful and a misdemeanor to abandon any animal in the City.
B. It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person to display for sale, offer for sale, exchange, barter, or give away any animal except in the following places:
1. Pet shop, commercial kennel, private kennel, nonprofit incorporated pet adoption agency, pet grooming parlor, animal shelter, humane society facility, horse establishment, which have a valid permit or license as may be required by this Chapter;
2. Private residence; or
3. Veterinary clinic.
EXCEPTION: This provision does not apply to livestock at recognized auctions, fairs or expositions, nor does it preclude any advertisement of the sale of such animals through the media or radio, television or public posting of said offering. (Ord. 923, §2, adopted 1991)
§4157 IMPOUNDMENT
Any Animal Control Officer or peace officer may impound any dog or cat for violations of this Chapter, or when deemed necessary to preserve public health and safety or to prevent needless suffering of animals. Impoundments shall be governed by Article 9, commencing with Section 4180. (Ord. 923, §2, adopted 1991)