O 432 C.S.
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ORDINANCE NO. 432 ,
C.S. ,
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE BY REPEALING
CHAPTER 1 (PERTAINING TO ANIMALS) OF TITLE 6
AND REPLACING THE REPEALED SECTIONS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE HEREBY ORDAINS AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: Title 6 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code shall be
amended by repealing sections 6-1.01 through 6-1.50 pertaining to
animals, and replacing them with new sections 6-1.01 through 6-1.59
pertaining to animals. The new sections shall read in their
entirety as follows:
CHAPTER 1. ANIMALS
Sec. 6-1.01. Establishment of a Public Pound.
A public pound is authorized and established, and the same,
and any branches thereof, shall be located and established at such
place in the County of San Luis Obispo as shall be fixed from time
to time by the Board of Supervisors. The public pound, or any
authorized branches thereof, shall provide suitable buildings and
enclosures to adequately keep and safely hold all dogs, cats or
household pets subject to be impounded by the provisions of this
title.
Sec. 6-1. 02. Animal Control Offi~er--Duties.
There shall be in this City a Chief Animal Control Officer.
It shall be the duty of the chief Animal Control Officer and his
duly authorized deputies and employees to carry out the provisions
of this title, and all applicable statutes of the state and to be
in charge of the public pound hereby authorized and established.
Sec. 6-1.03. Animal Control Officer--citation Authoritv--Authoritv
to Carry Wea~ons. i
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(a) The Chief Animal Control Officer and his duly authorized I
deputies shall have the power to issue citations pursuant to I
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Chapter 2 of Title 1 of this code.
(b) Animal control officers, when acting in the course and
scope of their duties, shall be authorized to carryon their person
or in official vehicles loaded firearms or weapons of the type
approved by the Chief Animal Control Officer. Each officer shall
qualify under California Penal Code Section 832 in the use of
firearms.
Sec. 6-1. 04. Badaes.
r The Chief Animal Control Officer and his duly authorized and
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appointed deputies, while engaged in the execution of their duties,
shall each wear in plain view a badge having, in the case of the
Chief Animal Control Officer, the words "Chief Animal Control
Officer", in the case of the lead animal control officer, the words
"Sergeant - Animal Control Officer" and in the case of the deputy
animal control officers, the words "Deputy Animal Control Officer"
engraved thereon. Any person who has not been appointed as
provided hereinabove, or whose appointment has been revoked, who
,shall represent himself to be or shall attempt to act as an animal
control officer shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Sec. 6-1.Q5. Record of DeDartment.
The Department shall keep a record of the number, description
and disposition of all dogs, cats and household pets impounded,
showing in detail in the case of each, the date of receipt, the
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date and manner of disposal, the name of the person reclaiming,
redeeming or receiving such dogs, cats or household pets, the
reason for destruction.
Sec. 6-1.06. ~.
(a) Whenever fees are to be charged by the Department of
Animal Regulation these fees shall be set annually by resolution of
the City Council.
(b) Whenever a penalty fee is to be assessed, it shall be
double the regular established fee.
(c) A fee, including a penalty fee, may be waived in the
discretion of the Health Officer. Such waiver shall be based upon
a determination that it is in the interests of justice or that
payment will impose an undue financial hardship upon the owner. J
Sec. 6-1.07. Unnecessarv Noise.
It is unlawful for any person to keep, maintain, or permit on
any lot or parcel of land, any dogs, cats, poultry, fowl or
household pets, which by any sound or cry shall disturb the peace
and comfort of any neighborhood.
Sec. 6-1.08. Abatement of Noise or Nuisance.
Whenever it shall be affirmed in writing by three or more
persons living in separate dwelling units in the neighborhood that
any dog, cat, or household pet is an habitual nuisance by reason of
frequent, persistent, or long continued howling, barking, or other
noise, or is in any other manner causing undue annoyance, by reason
of chronic leash law violations or unsanitary conditions, that
shall constitute a public nuisance, the Department, through
investigation, if it finds such public nuisance to exist, shall
serve written notice upon the owner or custodian that the public
nuisance shall be abated or the animal Shall be impounded in a
legal manner. If the nuisance and annoyance is not successfully
abated, as affirmed in writing by the original petitioner(s),
Department shall present the results of the investigation of such
nuisance to the officer responsible for prosecution within the
jurisdiction wherein such nuisance is being maintained.
Sec. 6-1.09. owner's Responsibility to Dispose of Dead Doas. Cats
and Household Pets.
It is unlawful for any owner or person who, having had the
possession or control of any dog, cat or household pet that has
died to place the body of any dog, cat or household pet, after its
death, or cause to permit it to be placed or to knowingly allow or
permit it to remain, in or upon any public road, highway, street,
alley, square, park, school ground or other public place, or in or
upon any lot premises, or property of another.
Sec. 6-1.10. Disposition of Dead Dogs. Cats and Household Pets '1
Upon Request.
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It shall be the duty of the Department upon the request of any ..)
owner of any dead dog, cat or household pet which was kept or
maintained in the county immediately prior to its death, or upon
the request of any person or persons discovering a dead dog, cat or
household pet upon his premises or upon any public road, highway,
street, alley, square, park, school ground or other public place,
or in or upon any lot or premises to forthwith bury or dispose of
the animal in such manner as may be prescribed by law. The
Department may charge and collect fees for the transportation and
disposal of the dog, cat or household pet from the owner or person
having had possession or control of the animal if same can be
ascertained.
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Sec. 6-1.11. Definitions
(a) "ALTERED" for a female means having had the ovaries and
uterus surgically removed~ an ovariohysterectomy. "Altered" for a
male means having had the testicles surgically removed.
(b) "ANIMAL" shall include but not be limited to birds,
fishes, reptiles, and non-human mammals.
(c) "ANIMAL USE OPERATION" means any commercial, non
commercial or hobby breeder operation as further described in this
title.
(d) "AT LARGE" means being on any private property without
permission of the person who owns or has a right to possess or use
~ the property~ or unrestrained by a leash on either public property
unless expressly permitted by law, or private property open to the
public~ or in any place or manner which presents substantial risk ,
of imminent interference with animal or public health, safety or !
welfare.
(e) "BUSINESS DAY" means any day that the Department is open
to the public as determined by the Board of Supervisors..
(f) "CAT" means a Felis Cats of either sex, al tered or
unaltered.
(g) "CITY" means the incorporated area of Arroyo Grande.
(h) "COMMERCIAL ANIMAL USE OPERATION" means any lot, building
structure, enclosure or premises whereon or wherein animals are !
kept or maintained for any commercial purpose, such as breeding, i
selling, advertising for sale, boarding, or rental of animals, :
provided that if more than one species of animal is kept for sale, I
barter or trade, the classification shall be that of a pet shop~ !
and provided further, this definition of commercial animal ;
operation shall not be construed as applying to a duly licensed i
veterinary hospital or any public pound. The operation must be :
consistent with current zoning.
(i) "COUNTY" means the County of San Luis Obispo.
(j) "ANIMAL SHELTER" means a premises selected by the
Director of Animal Control as a suitable facility for the
requirements of this title.
(k) "DEPARTMENT" means the Department of Animal Regulation,
the Chief Animal Control Officer and/or his duly authorized
representative(s).
(l) "DOG" means a Canis familiaris of either sex, altered or
unaltered~ or any other member of the Canis genus if owned, kept,
or harbored.
(m) "DOG LICENSE" means a properly completed certification
issued by the County, including the dog owner's name, address, and
telephone; the dog's name and description, including breed, color,
sex, year of birth ~ rabies vaccination date, rabies expiration
date~ license tag number and expiration date.
(n) "HEALTH OFFICER" means the San Luis Obispo County Health
Officer or his appointed agents or deputies.
(0) "HOBBY BREEDER OPERATION" means any lot, structure,
r enclosure, building whereon or wherein a person is offering for
sale, barter or trade household pets in a manner that is accessory
to residential use. A person is considered to be operating a hobby
breeder operation when:
(1) Offspring from any female is being offered for sale
in an amount in excess of $50.00 per animal, and
(2) The owner is offering more than one litter for sale,
barter or trade in a calendar year, or number one (1), and
(3) The owner is offering for sale, barter or trade more
than one household pet of a species that bear single offspring for
sale in one calendar year.
In the case of dogs, each dog shall be individually licensed
as provided in section 6-1.37.
(p) "HOUSEHOLD PETS" means, but is not limited to, cats,
dogs, canaries, parrots, fish, hamsters, rabbits, turtles, lizards,
snakes, and other kindred animals usually and ordinarily kept as
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ORDINANCE NO. 432
household pets.
(q) "LEASH" means any rope, leather strap, chain, or other
material, being held in the hand of a person capable of controlling
i and actually controlling the animal to which it is attached.
(r) "LICENSE TAG" means a piece of metal or other durable
material inscribed with a number which has been issued by the
County as the licensing agency.
(s) "LIVESTOCK" means horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, cattle,
sheep, goats, swine and all other domestic or domesticated animals
other than household pets.
(t) "NON COMMERCIAL ANIMAL OPERATION" means any lot,
building, structure, enclosure, or premises whereon or wherein four
or more dogs or cats are kept for noncommercial use, including, but
not limited to hunting and herding livestock.
(u) "OWNER" means any person who is legal owner, keeper, J
harborer, possessor or the actual custodian of an animal.
Ownership is also established by a person registering as the owner
of a license or other legal document or by a person claiming
ownership and taking possession of an animal.
(v) "PET SHOP" means any lot, building, structure, enclosure
or premises whereon or wherein is carried on the business of buying
and selling or bartering household pets. This definition shall not
be construed as applying to the business or activities of a duly
licensed veterinary hospital, nor to the business or activities of
any public pound. The operation must be consistent with current
zoning.
Sec. 6-1.12. Animal Use ODeration. Pet Shop. Reaulations.
It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or
association to erect, establish or maintain any animal use
operation, commercial, noncommercial, hobby breeder or pet shop, as
defined in this title without first obtaining the appropriate
permit from the Department. The granting of such permit shall be
in the discretion of the Department who shall take into
consideration the type of construction to be employed as it relates
to sanitation and the manner in which the animals, birds, or
livestock are to be housed, as..well as such zoning regulations or
regulations concerning the operations of commercial, non
commercial, hobby breeder or pet shops as may be adopted by the
City Council from time to time. The permit will be for a calendar
year, with a permit fee due and payable on January 1st of each
year.
Sec. 6-1.13. Requirement of Business License
It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or
association to erect, establish or maintain any commercial animal
use facility, or pet shop, without first obtaining a license from
the city. After approval by the Department of the permit that is
required by this chapter, the tax collector, upon the payment of
the required annual license fee for the privilege of maintaining
such facilities, commercial animal use facilities or pet shops,
shall issue to the applicant a license in such form as he may
prescribe. Such annual license shall be for the calendar year or J
any part thereof during which the commercial animal use operation
or pet shop shall be maintained, and shall be due and payable in
advance on January 1st of each year, and shall expire December 31st
of such year, provided the above-mentioned permit has not been
revoked.
Every person, firm, or corporation maintaining a commercial
animal use operation or pet shop shall post a notice in a
conspicuous place where it may be seen outside the locked premises,
listing names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons who may
be contacted in the case of any emergency.
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Sec. 6-1.14. Animal Use ODeration and Pet ShoD Permits--Refusal.
Suspension or Revocation Thereof.
(a) The permit for the maintenance and operation of an animal
use facility, commercial, noncommercial, hobby breeder, or pet shop
shall be refused by the Department upon a determination that a
violation exists of the provisions of any health law of the State
of California, or any of the applicable provisions of this title.
(b) A permit may be immediately suspended by the Department
for violation of any provision of this title when, in his opinion,
the danger to public health or safety, or when necessary to assure
humane care and treatment of the animals under permit, is so ,
imminent, immediate and threatening as not to admit of delay. In i
the event of such suspension, the holder shall be given an ~
opportunity for an office hearing before an impartial hearing
office from outside the Department, within forty-eight hours of the
time of suspension. Upon conclusion of the office hearing, the
hearing officer may decide to:
(1) Dismiss the charges and reinstate the permit: or
(2) Reinstate the permit conditioned upon correction of
the violation: or
(3) Revoke the permit.
(c) If, in the opinion of the Department, the danger to
public health is not so imminent, immediate and threatening as to
admit of delay, the Department shall send a notice of violation to
the permittee and seek to achieve compliance informally by means of
a correction schedule and reasonable inspections. If, as a result
of subsequent inspection, it is determined that the permittee has
failed to comply with the schedule and correct the noticed
deficiencies, the Department shall send a notice to the permittee
advising the permittee of the remaining deficiencies and the
convening of an office hearing before an impartial hearing officer
from outside the Department, to determine whether or not the permit
should be revoked. Upon cOJ:\clusion of the office hearing, the
hearing officer may decide to:
(1) Dismiss the charges: or
(2) Establish a correction schedule: or
(3) Revoke the permit.
(d) All office hearings referred to herein shall be conducted
in accordance with procedures adopted by the Department. The
applicant or permittee may call and examine witnesses, introduce
exhibits, question county officials and opposing witnesses on any
matter relevant to the issues, and may rebut evidence against him.
The hearing shall not be conducted according to technical rules
relating to procedure, evidence or witnesses. The Department shall
r insure that an informal record of the proceedings is maintained.
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(e) Whenever the issuance of a permit is refused, or a permit
is revoked and the required office hearing has been held, the
applicant or permittee may appeal the action to the city Council
within ten days. The clerk shall set the matter for hearing at the
earliest possible date and shall give reasonable notice of the time
and place thereof to the 'applicant or permittee and to the
Department. The City Council, or their designee, shall hear the
evidence offered by the applicant or permittee and the Department,
and shall forthwith decide the issue.
The decision of the city Council, or their designee, shall be
final.
Sec. 6-1.15. Interference with Performance of Duties.
It is unlawful for any person to hinder or obstruct the Chief
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exercise of their duties. Any person who violates this section is
guilty of a misdemeanor.
Sec.. 6-1.16. Violation of Written Order.
Any person who after written notice, violates, or who upon the
demand of the Department, refuses or neglects to conform to any
rule, written order, or regulation prescribed by the Department, is
guilty of an infraction.
i Sec. 6-1. 17 . Limitations.
It is unlawful for any person or persons, to own, harbor or J
maintain, at any single-family dwelling, more than three dogs, four
months of age or older without obtaining the appropriate permit.
Sec. 6-1.18. Violation.
Except as otherwise provided, violation of a provision of this
title is an infraction.
Sec. 6-1.19. stray Doas Defined.
A "stray dog" is any dog licensed or unlicensed, which is in
or on any public road, highway, street, alley, square, park, school
ground or other public place, or in or upon any lot, premises or
property of another when not accompanied in the near vicinity by
the person owning, having interest in, harboring, or having charge,
care, control, custody or possession of such dog. Any stray dog
shall be immediately seized and impounded by the Department.
Sec. 6-1. 20. Leash Law
It is unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog
owned, harbored, or controlled by him to be on any public street,
alley, lane, park or place of whatever nature open to and used by
the public in the unincorporated area'of the county unless such dog
is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously in the hand
of a responsible person capable of controlling such dog, or unless
the dog is securely confined in a vehicle, or unless the dog is at
"heel" beside a person and obedient to that person's command.
Dogs used on farms and ranches for the primary purpose of
herding livestock are not required to be leashed or at "heel"
beside their owner or person controlling the use of these dogs
while on a public street, alley, lane, or place of whatever nature
open to and used by the public in the unincorporated area of the
county while herding such livestock and as long as these dogs are
obedient to the commands of the person controlling their use for
this purpose. Dogs used for the primary purpose of hunting are not.
required to be leashed or at "heel" while used in hunting as long I
as these dogs are obedient to the commands of the person
controlling their use for this purpose. ,
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Sec. 6-1.21. Duty of DeDartment to Patrol and Enforce Requlations. j
It shall be the duty of the Department to patrol the
incorporated area of the city from time to time and without notice
to the public for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this
title.
Sec. 6-1. 22. Dutv of DeDartment to Seize and Impound Stray Doqs.
It shall be the duty of the Department to seize and impound,
in a lawful manner, and subject to the provisions of this chapter,
all stray or unlicensed dogs found within the incorporated area of
the City of Arroyo Grande.
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Sec. 6-1. 23. Doas Running at Larae.
Any dog found running at large on any private property in the
City of Arroyo Grande may be taken up by the owner or possessor of
the property and delivered to the Department or detained on the
property until picked up by the Department as provided in Section I
6-1. 24.
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Sec. 6-1. 24. Delivery to DeDartment bv Private Persons.
Every person taking up any dog under the provisions of this
chapter and every person finding any lost, strayed or stolen dog
(" shall, within twenty-four hours thereafter, give notice thereof to
the Department and every such person in whose custody such dog may,
in the meantime, be placed shall surrender such animal to the
Department without fee or charge and the Department shall thereupon
hold and dispose of such dog in the same manner as though such dog
had been found running at large and impounded by the Department.
Sec. 6-1. 25. Notice of ImDounding poas.
As soon as possible, but not later than twenty-four hours
after impounding any dog currently licensed under the provisions of
this chapter, the Department shall notify the registered owner or
person having control of the dog by written or oral communication
that such dog is impounded and that it must be redeemed wi thin
three business days from the date of such communication, and unless
redeemed the dog will be disposed of in any manner as provided by
this chapter.
Sec. 6-1. 26. Redemption of ImDounded Doas.
The Department shall securely keep any dog impounded for a
period of three business days unless the dog be sooner reclaimed or
redeemed by the owner or person having control thereof, or as
provided in Section 6-1.30. A dog wearing a current license tag
when impounded shall be held for seven business days unless the
owner or custodian is notified prior to that time as in Section
6-1.25. , and then said dog shall be held for three business days
from such notification. Except as may be provided in Section
6-1.26., the owner or person entitled to the custody of the dog so
impounded may, at any time before the sale or other disposition
thereof, during the office hours of the pound, reclaim or redeem
the dog by exhibiting to the Department the license certificate or I
license tag showing that the license for the dog for the then
current year has been paid and by paying the Department any I
charges.
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No fees whatsoever shall be charged or collected for or on
account of any dog which has been unlawfully taken up or impounded.
(" If the owner or person entitled to the custody of the dog believes
that the dog has been unlawfully taken up or impounded, the owner
or person may, within the seventy-two hour redemption period,
request that an impartial hearing by a hearing officer from an
outside Department be conducted to determine the sole issue of
whether the dog was lawfully seized and impounded. If a dog has I
been unlawfully taken up or impounded, it shall be returned to its
owner or the person entitled to custody thereof. ,
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Sec. 6-1. 27 . Redem~tion Fees. I
The owner or person entitled to the custody of a dog impounded I
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shall pay to the Department before such dog is
released the following:
(a) Registration or license fee for the current year unless
such fee has been previously paid and evidence of paid fee is ,
adequately exhibited: and I
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(b) Impound fees for first, second, third and subsequent
impounds in a one year period from the date of the first impound.
Sec. 6-1.28. Sale. Gift or Destruction of Doas.
At any time after the expiration of the period of three days,
the Department may, without further notice, and without advertising
in any manner, sell, give away or dispose of in an humane way, any
dog not reclaimed or redeemed as aforesaid. Provided, however, the
Department may not sell, give away or transfer title to any dog or
any other animal to any institution engaged in the diagnosis or
treatment of human or animal disease, or in research for the
advancement of veterinarian, dental, medical, or biologic sciences,
I or in the testing or diagnosis, improvement or standardization of
I laboratory specimens, biologic products, pharmaceuticals, or drugs. .j
I The Department may not sell or give away any female dog that has
not been spayed, or any male dog that has not been neutered, unless
i a deposit toward the cost of spaying or neutering such dog, as
determined and promulgated by the Department, has been deposited.
Deposit is refundable, through normal County Refund Procedures,
upon proof of sterility.
Sec. 6-1. 29. Veterina.rian peteI'1llination for Injured Doqs and Cats.
All injured dogs and cats found without their owners in a
public place shall be taken to a veterinarian known by the
Department to be a veterinarian that ordinarily treats dogs and
cats for a determination of whether the animal shall be immediately
and humanely destroyed or shall be hospitalized and given
emergency, stabilizing treatment.
Sec. 6-1.30. Iniured and Diseased Doas and Cats.
When a dog or cat taken into custody by the Department which
by reason of injury, disease or other good cause as determined by
a licensed veterinarian as dangerous or inhumane to keep impounded,
shall be forthwith destroyed by the Department in an humane manner
unless the owner or person entitled to the custody of the dog can
be notified by the Department within a reasonable period of time to
arrange and provide for medical care. The Department shall release
such dog to its owner or person having control thereof upon payment
of the redemption fees and other charges as provided in this title.
However, if the licensed veterinarian determines that the dog is
diseased and by reason of such disease is dangerous to persons or
to other animals, or to the general health and welfare of the
county, the Department shall destroy the dog. Injured or diseased
animals may he humanely destroyed without regard to the prescribed
holding time in order to alleviate suffering or to protect other
impounded animals from exposure to a contagious disease.
Sec. 6-1.31. Care of Animals While ImDouuded.
The Department shall provide all animals in its custody with I
proper food and water, and shall give them all necessary care and I
attention. The Department shall charge a fee at the time an
impounded animal is redeemed by its owner or person having custody ~
or may charge these fees at such time an unclaimed animal is sold.
Sec. 6-1.32. Reportina of Bites.
All persons bitten and the parents or guardians of minor
children bitten by a dog, cat, skunk, fox, bat, coyote, bobcat, or
other animal of a species subject to rabies should notify the
Department within twenty four hours of the next Department business
day. Physicians treating such bites and other persons having
knowledge of such bites shall also be required to make such
notification.
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Sec. 6-1.33. Biting Dogs.
It is a misdemeanor for any person to suffer, or permit any
dog or other animal owned, harbored or controlled by him, to
inflict upon any human being a bite that penetrates the skin while
the person bitten is on any public place, or legally upon any
private property. The person bitten may request the animal control
officer to initiate criminal proceedings against such other person
by sUbmitting a signed, written complaint.
r' Sec. 6-1.34. Impoundina of Bitinq DOQs.
Upon written notice by the Department, the owner or person
having the control of any dog which has, within the preceding ten
days, bitten any person or animal shall, upon demand, and in the
discretion of the Department, shall do one of the following:
(a) Confine the dog to his own premises; or
(b) Surrender the dog to the Department which shall impound
and keep the dog at the public pound in a separate enclosure for a
period of not less than ten days; or
(c) Surrender the dog to a licensed veterinarian as
designated by the Department1 or
(d) Surrender the dog to the Department for quarantine at any
other location or facility designated and approved by the
Department.
If the dog is quarantined on the premises of the owner, the
Department may post a quarantine sign on such premises, and it is
unlawful for any person to remove the sign during the term of such
quarantine without the consent of the Department. Any quarantine
provided in this section shall be for a term of not less than ten
days unless otherwise specified by the Department. During the
period, it shall be the duty of the Department to determine whether
or not such animal is suffering from any disease. If a duly
licensed veterinarian designated by the Department shall determine
that the animal is diseased and, by reason of such disease, is
'dangerous to persons or to other animals, he shall so notify the
Department in writing to destroy the animal. A copy of the notice
may also be served upon the owner or person having control of the
animal.
If the veterinarian shall determine that the dog is not so
diseased, the Department shall notify the person owning or having
control of the animal at the address from which the animal was
surrendered to the Department and shall, upon demand, release the
animal to the owner or person lawfully entitled thereto, upon
payment of any charges provided therefor, including expenses of
quarantine and veterinary care: provided, however, that if no
r person lawfully entitled to such animal shall within three days
after the date of giving the last mentioned notice, appear at the
public pound and request release of the dog, and pay the charges,
the animal may be sold or destroyed by the Department in the same
manner hereinbefore provided.
Whenever a dog is ordered to be quarantined on the premises of
the owner, an administrative fee to cover the expense of monitoring
the quarantine will be charged.
Sec. 6-1A~5. Violation of Quarantine.
It is unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any dog,
cat, animal or household pet owned, harbored or controlled by him
to violate any written quarantine notice. Any person who violates
such written notice shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
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Sec. 6-1.36. Symotoms of Rabies
Whenever the owner or person having the custody or possession
of an animal shall observe or learn that such animal shows symptoms
of rabies, or acts in a manner which would lead to a reasonable
suspicion that it may have rabies, the owner or person having the
custody or possession of such animal shall immediately notify the
Department. The Department shall make or cause an inspection or
examination of such animal to be made by a licensed veterinarian
until the existence or nonexistence of rabies in such animal is
established by the veterinarian. Such animal shall be kept
isolated in a pound, veterinary hospital, or other adequate
facility in a manner approved by the Department and.shall not be
killed or released for at least ten days after the onset of J
symptoms suggestive of rabies, after which time the dog or other
animal may be released by the Department, provided the Department
has first determined that the animal does not have rabies. If the
Department determines that the dog or other animal does have
rabies, the Department shall destroy the animal.
The Chief Animal Control Officer, or his duly authorized
representative, is authorized and empowered to enter in a manner
authorized by law, upon private property where any dog or other
animal is kept, or believed by him to be kept, for the purpose of
ascertaining whether the dog or other animal is afflicted or
infected with rabies or other contagious disease.
Sec. 6-1. 37. Doa Reaistration and Licenses.
Except as provided in section 6-1.47., it is unlawful to own,
keep or control any dog unless and except a license has been
procured therefor as herein provided. This section shall have no
application to dogs under the age of four months.
Sec. 6-1. 38. Doas--Vaccination Required.
It is unlawful for any person owning, harboring, or having the
care, custody or possession of.any dog to keep or maintain such dog
in any place in San Luis Obispo County, or except as provided in
Section 6-1.39., unless such dog has been vaccinated as provided
herein. This section shall have no application to dogs under the
age of four months.
Sec. 6-1. 39. No Licensina Without Vaccination.
The Department shall not license any dog until it has been
vaccinated with canine rabies vaccine by injection or other method
approved by the Department during the time prescribed by state law
or the rules and regulations of the State Department of Public
Health, unless the owner or person in possession of the same
submits a certificate from a licensed veterinarian issued within
the preceding sixty days, stating that, in his opinion, the rabies
vaccination would be likely to seriously injure the dog. Any dog
so excepted from rabies vaccination shall be restricted to the
enclosed yard of the owner or person in possession of same except ....)
when held by rope, chain or leash. Any violation thereof by the
owner or person in possession of such dog is unlawful.
Sec. 6-1.40. Vaccination Performance.
The vaccination shall be performed by a duly qualified and
licensed veterinarian. The veterinarian vaccinating the dog shall
issue to the owner or person in possession of the dog a certificate
of vaccination, which certificate shall include:
(a) The type of vaccine used:
(b) The date of vaccination:
(c) , f . t'
The durat10n 0 vaCC1na 1on:
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ORDINANCE NO. 432
(d) Description of dog, including age, breed, ~ and color:
(e) Name and address of the owner of dog: and
(f) A copy of this certificate shall be sent to the
Department within 30 days of said vaccination.
Sec. 6-1.41. Rabies DeDosit Fee Reauired.
Any person procuring a dog license without a valid rabies
vaccination for reason of redeeming an impounded animal or clearing
a citation will pay a rabies deposit fee. Deposit is refundable
upon proof of current vaccination certificate, through normal I
County Refund Procedures. Proof of rabies vaccination shall be
c made to the Department within thirty days or the license will be I
void. I
Sec. 6-1.42. Reaistration Record. :
The Department shall maintain a record in which it shall, upon
the application of any person owning or having the custody of any
dog in the city of Arroyo Grande, and the payment to it of the
license fee hereby prescribed, register the dog by entering in the
record its name (if any), its sex and general description, whether I
it has been spayed or neutered, the name of its owner or custodian, i
the number of the tag issued therefor, the date of expiration of
the rabies vaccine, the date of issuance and the amount received
for the license fee.
Sec. 6-1.43. Dog License Tags.
Upon exhibition of the proper evidence of vaccination and
payment of the license fee, there shall be delivered to the person
making such payment a metal tag with the number and one, two or I
three years stamped or cut thereon and the words "DOG LICENSE TAG - i
County of San Luis Obispo," stamped thereon, which dog tag shall be I
securely fastened to a collar or harness which must be worn at all
times by the dog for which the tag was issued. If the dog is
exempted from vaccination, section 6-1.39., the dog tag shall have
a distinguishing mark as evidence of such fact.
Sec. 6-1.44. Licensina of Dogs.
Each license issued shall be effective for a period of one
year, two years, or three years at the option of the owner, but
contingent upon payment of all required fees, charges, and
penalties required by this chapter and compliance with all
conditions required for the issuance of a license.
(a) A license will be valid from the date of issue and shall
expire one year, two years, or three years from the date of
issue, except when the performance of the rabies vaccination
r- expires prior to that date. In such cases, the license will
expire on the same date as the rabies vaccination.
(b) License renewals shall be required prior to the
expiration date of the license.
(c) If renewal is not required, dog owners shall advise the
Department, in writing, of the reason therefore.
Sec. 6-1.45. License Fees.
The Department shall collect a fee for dog licensing.
(a) The owner or custodian of an unaltered dog may place
a deposit for spaying or neutering with the Department
for a one year license. This deposit shall be forfeited
if said operation is not performed by the expiration date
of the license.
(b) A late penalty of twice the pre-penalty one year
license fee shall be charged if:
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ORDINANCE NO. 432
(1) A license is not renewed prior to the
expiration date;
(2) Puppies are not licensed within thirty days
after reaching four months of age;
(3) Any dog brought into this county is not
licensed within thirty days;
(4) A person acquiring possession of a dog over
four months of age does not license it within thirty
days of taking possession.
(c) Persons obtaining possession of any dog currently
licensed by San Luis Obispo County shall upon payment of
a transfer fee have ownership of dog changed. J
Sec. 6-1.46. Lost or Dawaqed Tag.
If the tag issued for any duly registered dog be lost or
accidently destroyed during the period for which it is issued, the
owner or custodian of such dog, upon making proof to the Department
of its loss or destruction, shall, upon payment of established fee
receive for such dog a duplicate tag.
Sec. 6-1.47. License ExceDtions.
The provisions of this chapter requiring the licensing of dogs
shall not apply to:
(a) Dogs under four months of age.
(b) Dogs owned by or in the custody or control of persons who
are non residents of San Luis Obispo county traveling through
the county, or temporarily staying therein for a period not
exceeding thirty days;
(c) Dogs brought into the county exclusively for the purpose
of entering the dogs in any dog show or exhibition, and which
are actually entered in and kept at such show or exhibition:
(d) Dogs on sale in duly licensed pet shops, or commercial
animal operations; ..
(e) Dogs under the ownership, custody, or control of the
owner of a commercial animal operation duly licensed under the
provision of this title, or his duly authorized employee or
agent when such dogs are removed from such operation in the
bona fide operation thereof for the purpose of exercise or
training, provided that any such dog bear an identification
tag attached to its collar, which tag shall set forth the name
of the licensed operation. A dog bearing such identification
shall be treated in all respects as any other dog in the event
of its escape and subsequent impoundment.
Sec. 6-1. 48. License Fee Exemptions.
(a) Seeing Eye dogs and all dogs which served with the armed J
forces of the United States of America during any period of
actual hostilities must be licensed or vaccinated under the
provisions of this chapter, but their owner shall be exempt
from the license fee therein imposed, providing adequate
evidence can be furnished at such time the license is issued;
(b) Dogs used by any governmental agency for the purpose of
law enforcement must be licensed and vaccinated under the
provisions of this title but their owners shall be exempt from
the license fee as therein imposed, providing adequate
evidence can be furnished at such time the license is issued;
(c) All dogs being raised and trained specifically. to perform
as Seeing Eye dogs must be licensed and vaccinated under the
provisions of this title but their owners shall be exempt from
the license fee as therein imposed, providing adequate
evidence can be furnished at such time the license is issued.
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ORDINANCE NO. 432
Sec. 6-1.49. Failure to Pay License Fee or Provide Information.
It is unlawful for any person owning or having the care
custody or control of ,any dog in the county, to refuse, fail 0;
neglect to pay the l1.cense fee at the time and manner herein
provided, or to refuse, fail or neglect to furnish to the
Department, the ~ealth Officer, or any of their duly qualified and
authorized,deput1.es, or employees, the information' necessary to
properly l1.cense the dog.
Sec. 6-1.50. Counterfeiting.
r
, No person shall imitate or counterfeit such registration tags.
It l.S unlawful for any person to remove any tag from any dog not
owned by him or not lawfully in his possession or under his control
or to place on any dog.any such license tag not issued as provided
for above for that particular dog for the then current year or to
make or to have in his possession or to place on a dog any
counterfeit or imitation of any license tag.
Sec. 6-1.51. Dutv of DeDartment to AcceDt Abandoned Cats.
It shall be the duty of the Department to receive and impound
all cats believed to be abandoned by their owners.
Sec. 6-1.52. Cats at Larae.
Any cat found at large on any private property in San Luis
Obispo County may be taken up by the owner or possessor of the
property and delivered to the Department or detained on the
property until picked up by the Department as provided in Section
6-1. 53.
!
Sec. 6-1.53. Delivery of Cats to Department by Private Persons.
Every person taking up any cat under the provisions of this
title and every person finding any lost, strayed or stolen cat
shall within twenty four hours thereafter, give notice thereof to
the Department and every such person in whose custody such cat may, i
in the meantime, be placed shall surrender such animal to the
Department without fee or charge.
Sec. 6-1.54. RedemDtion of Imoounded Cats.
The Department shall keep such cats for a period of three days
unless the cats are sooner reclaimed or redeemed by the owner or
person having control thereof. Such redemption may be made by
paying the Department any charges as a fee per day for the care of
the cats as imposed therein.
r No fees whatsoever shall be charged or collected for or on
account of any cat which has been unlawfully taken up or impounded.
I The owner of a cat who believes the cat has been unlawfully seized
: may request a hearing before an impartial hearing officer from
outside the Department.
Sec. 6-1.55. Sale. Gift or Destruction of Cats.
At any time after the expiration of the period of three days,
the Department may, without notice and without advertising in any
manner, sell, give away, or dispose of the cats: provided the
Department may not sell, give away or transfer title to any cats to
any institution engaged in the diagnosis or treatment of human or
animal disease, or in research for the advancement of veterinarian,
dental, medical, or biologic sciences, or in the testing or
diagnosis, improvement or standardization of laboratory specimens,
biologic products, pharmaceuticals, or drugs. The Department may
not sell or give away any 'female cat that has not been spayed, or
13
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ORDINANCE NO. 432
any male cat that has not been neutered, unless a deposit towards
the cost of spaying and neutering such cat, as determined and
promu~gated by the Department of Animal Regulation, has been
depos~ ted with the pound. Deposit is refundable through normal
County Refund Procedures, upon proof of sterility.
Sec. 6-1.56. Impounding of Biting Cats.
. Upon written notice by the Department, the owner or person
hav~ng the control of any cat which has, within the preceding ten
days, bitten any person or animal shall, upon demand, and in the
discretion of the Department, shall do one of the following:
(a) Confine the cat to his own premises~ or
(b) Surrender the cat to the Department which shall impound J
and keep the cat at the public pound in a separate
enclosure for a period of not less than ten days; or
(c) Surrender the cat to a licensed veterinarian as
designated by the Department~ or
(d) Surrender the cat to the Department for quarantine at
any other location or facility designated and approved
by the Department.
If the cat is quarantined on the premises of the owner, the
Department may post a quarantine sign on such premises, and it is
unlawful for any person to remove the sign during the term of such
quarantine without the consent of the Department. Any quarantine
provided in this section shall be for a term of not less than ten
days unless otherwise specified by the Department. During the
period it shall be the duty of the Department to determine whether
or not such animal is suffering from any disease. If a duly
licensed veterinarian designated bYHthe Department shall determine
that the animal is diseased and, by reason of such disease, is
dangerous to person or to other animals, he shall so notify the
Department in writing to destroy the animal. A copy of the notice
may also be served upon the owner or person having control of the
animal.
If the veterinarian shall determine that the cat is not so
diseased, the Department shall notify the person owning or having
control of the animal at the address from which the animal was
surrendered to the Department and shall, upon demand, release the
animal to the owner or person lawfully entitled thereto, upon
payment of any charges provided therefore, including expenses of
quarantine and veterinary care~ provided, however, that if a person
lawfully entitled to such animal shall within three days after the
date of giving the last mentioned notice, appear at the public
pound and request the release of the cat, and pay the charges, the
animal may be sold or destroyed by the Department in the same
manner hereinbefore provided.
Whenever a cat is ordered to be quarantined on the premises of
the owner, an administrative fee t.o cover the expense of monitoring J
the quarantine will be charged.
Sec. 6-1.57. Limitations for Cats.
It is unlawful for any person or persons, to own, harbor, or
maintain, at any single family dwelling, more than three cats four
months of age or older, without first obtaining the appropriate
permit.
Sec. 6-1.58. Animals and Poultry a~ Large.
No person shall allow or permit animals or poultry, other than
household pets, to run at large upon any public street or place, or
to trespass upon the property of another. This provision shall not
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ORDINANCE NO. 432
be construed as permitting the running at large of any household
pets who are restricted by the provisions of this title, or by any
law applicable thereto.
Sec. 6-1. 59. Unsanitarv Conditions.
No person shall keep upon any premises, any animals, poultry
or household pets in a foul, offensive, obnoxious, filthy or
unsanitary condition.
Sec. 6-1. 60. Violations
, Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, violations of
the provisions of this chapter shall be infractions.
SECTION 2: This ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty
(30) days after its passage; and within fifteen (15) days after its
passage, it shall be published once, together with the names of the
ci ty Council Members voting thereon, in a newspaper of general
circulation within the City.
On motion of Council Member Smith , seconded by Council
Member Dougall , and on the following roll call vote to wit:
AYES: Council Members Smith, Dougall, Moots, Olsen and Mayor Millis
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
the foregoing ordinance was passed and adopted this 8th day of
January , 1991.
~:xP( ~~
. MILLIS, MA'iffR
ATTEST: ct.
AVIS, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
r I, NANCY A. DAVIS, City Clerk of the City of Arroyo Grande, County
of San Luis Obispo, State of California, do hereby certify under penalty
of perjury that the foregoing Ordinance No. 432 C.S. is a true, full ,
and correct copy of said Ordinance passed and adopted at a regular meehng
of said CoUncil on the 8th day of January, 1991.
WITNESS my hand and the Seal of the City of Arroyo Grande affixed
this 11th day of January, 1991.
~a.~
CITY CLERK 1.2
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