Chapter 6.01 — Animal Control Administration
Ord. No. 27, March 1, 1924 | Last amended by Ord. 2024-04
§ 6.01.010 Animal Control Officer
The City Manager shall designate an Animal Control Officer (ACO) responsible for enforcing the provisions of this title, investigating complaints, impounding animals, and administering the animal shelter. The ACO may be a City employee or provided through a contract with the County or another governmental agency.
§ 6.01.020 Authority to Impound
The Animal Control Officer is authorized to impound any animal: (a) running at large in violation of this title; (b) that is diseased or injured and whose owner cannot be immediately located; (c) that is a dangerous or vicious animal pursuant to Chapter 6.03; (d) that is being harbored in violation of this title. Impounded animals shall be held for not less than the minimum period prescribed by state law before being made available for adoption or euthanized.
Chapter 6.02 — Dogs and Cats
Ord. No. 27, March 1, 1924 | Last amended by Ord. 2023-12
§ 6.02.010 License Required
Every owner of a dog four (4) months of age or older within the City shall obtain and maintain a current dog license from the Animal Control Division. Licenses shall be renewed annually. A license tag shall be attached to the dog's collar at all times. License fees shall be as set forth in the City's Fee Schedule; reduced fees are available for altered animals and seniors.
§ 6.02.020 Rabies Vaccination
No dog license shall be issued unless the owner provides proof of a current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian. Vaccination certificates shall be retained by the owner and presented upon request by the Animal Control Officer.
§ 6.02.030 Dogs at Large Prohibited
No owner shall allow any dog to run at large within the City. Dogs shall be kept on a leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length when off the owner's property, except in designated off-leash areas established by the Parks and Recreation Department. Violation of this section is an infraction for the first offense and a misdemeanor for subsequent offenses within twelve (12) months.
§ 6.02.040 Limit on Number of Animals
No person shall keep more than four (4) dogs or four (4) cats, or a combined total of six (6) dogs and cats, on any single residential property without obtaining a multiple animal permit. Multiple animal permits may be conditioned on compliance with specific care and containment standards.
§ 6.02.050 Barking Dogs
No person shall keep any dog that barks, bays, cries, or howls in a manner that disturbs the peace of any neighborhood or person. Persistent barking (defined as continuous or repeated barking for more than fifteen minutes within any hour) constitutes a public nuisance subject to abatement under Chapter 4.02.
Chapter 6.03 — Dangerous and Vicious Animals
Ord. No. 198, September 16, 1980 | Last amended by Ord. 2022-06
§ 6.03.010 Definitions
"Dangerous animal" means any animal that, without provocation, bites a person or domestic animal, or behaves in a manner that causes a reasonable person to believe the animal poses an imminent threat of serious bodily injury. "Vicious animal" means any animal previously declared dangerous that subsequently attacks or bites again, or any animal that causes serious bodily injury or death to a person.
§ 6.03.020 Dangerous Animal Declaration
The Animal Control Officer may declare an animal dangerous following investigation of an incident. The owner shall be notified of the proposed declaration and shall have the right to a hearing before the Animal Control Hearing Officer. Upon a final dangerous animal declaration, the owner shall comply with containment, identification, and insurance requirements as specified in the declaration.
§ 6.03.030 Vicious Animal Disposition
Any animal declared vicious shall be humanely destroyed unless the Animal Control Officer determines that extraordinary circumstances warrant an alternative disposition. No vicious animal shall be returned to the owner unless the owner demonstrates ability to permanently confine the animal in a secure, locked enclosure from which the animal cannot escape.
Chapter 6.04 — Animal Shelter
Ord. No. 113, February 3, 1958 | Last amended by Ord. 2021-09
§ 6.04.010 McLainberg Animal Shelter
The City operates or contracts for the operation of the McLainberg Animal Shelter, located at 450 Shelter Drive, McLainberg, CA 91700. The shelter shall be open to the public during posted hours for the purposes of reclaiming impounded animals, adoption, licensing, and animal-related services.
§ 6.04.020 Reclaim and Redemption
The owner of any impounded animal may reclaim the animal upon payment of impound fees, daily boarding fees, and any outstanding license or vaccination fees as set forth in the City's Fee Schedule. Animals not reclaimed within the minimum holding period may be made available for adoption or transferred to a rescue organization.