Be Safe Be Aware Be as good as your Dog thinks you are!
Be Safe Be Aware Be as good as your Dog thinks you are!
Any dog permitted to run at large in violation of the provision of this chapter shall be taken in charge by the Poundmaster. Such dog so taken while running at large without a license shall be kept by the Poundmaster for a period of five (5) days, at the end of which time, unless redeemed as provided in this chapter, the dog shall be humanely disposed of by the Poundmaster; provided, however, that no dog shall be sold or given away by the Poundmaster unless the license fee and penalties due the City for such dog shall have first been paid. (§ 10, Ord. 1479 c.s.)
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as preventing the owner or custodian of any dog from permitting his or her dog to be at large upon property owned or controlled by the owner or custodian provided such property is enclosed in such a manner as to prevent the dog from escaping therefrom. (§ 5, Ord. 1479 c.s.)
Every person practicing veterinary medicine in the City who vaccinates a dog with rabies vaccine shall issue to the person keeping, harboring, or having such dog a certificate, signed by such veterinarian, which states thereon the name and description of the dog, the date of such vaccination, and the type of vaccine used and shall send a duplicate copy thereof to the Poundmaster. (§ 3, Ord. 1487; renumbered by § 2, Ord. 2037 c.s., eff. November 25, 1970)
The dog license fee required by the provisions of Section 5-1.105 of this article shall not apply to any person conducting or maintaining a dog kennel in the City, but every person conducting or maintaining a dog kennel shall pay to the License Clerk and Collector a special business license tax of Twelve and No/100ths ($12.00) Dollars per year, fixed rate, and shall comply with the zoning laws of the City. (§ 13, Ord. 1479 c.s.)
Chick embryo vaccine. Every person keeping, harboring, or having a dog in the City which has been vaccinated with chick embryo vaccine shall cause such dog to be revaccinated within a period of not more than two (2) years after such prior vaccination.
Tissue phenolized vaccine. Every person keeping, harboring, or having a dog in the City which has been vaccinated with tissue phenolized vaccine shall cause such dog to be revaccinated with rabies vaccine within a period of not more than one year after such prior vaccination. (§ 2, Ord. 1487; renumbered by § 2, Ord. 2037 c.s., eff. November 25, 1970)
The Poundmaster shall procure metal tags bearing suitable inscriptions showing the year for which such tags are issued and the number thereof. The number shall correspond with the number in the license certificate. The Poundmaster shall issue one of such tags with each of the license receipts or certificates to the purchaser thereof, and the tags shall be firmly attached to the collar of each dog for which each license is issued in such a manner that the tag shall be readily visible. (§ 8, Ord. 1479 c.s.)
Presentation of certificate. Every person applying for a dog license in the City shall exhibit a certificate issued by a person licensed by the State, or any other state or nation, to practice veterinary medicine, which certificate shall show that the dog for which the license shall be issued either:
Has been vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of this article; or
Should not be vaccinated with rabies vaccine by reason of infirmity or other disability which is shown on the face of the certificate and to the satisfaction of the person issuing the license to be in effect at the time of the license application. A license for such dog shall not be issued unless and until such certificate is so exhibited.
Stamping of license. At the time the dog license is issued, it shall be stamped with the date of the vaccination and the type of vaccination used as shown on the certificate, or, if the license is issued as the result of the certificate of disability, the words “No Vaccination Required” shall be stamped thereon. Such license so stamped shall be worn at all times by the dog for which the license was issued. (§ 4, Ord. 1487, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1649; renumbered by § 2, Ord. 2037 c.s., eff. November 25, 1970)
(a) Every person owning, harboring, or controlling a dog within the City, within thirty (30) days after taking residence in the City or becoming the owner or custodian of any dog, shall procure a license for the dog under this section.
(b) Dog licenses shall be issued on a yearly basis. All licenses are valid from the month and day a license is purchased to the same month and day of the following year. The date of original purchase shall establish a permanent anniversary date for all subsequent licenses. All unlicensed dogs incur delinquent license fees that are retroactively cumulative to the date the dog should have been licensed. These fees along with any penalty license fees must be made current to obtain a valid dog license.
(c) Senior citizens, sixty (60) years and older, can receive a fifty (50%) percent discount on their fees.
(d) The dog license fees shall be established from time to time by resolution of the Council. (§§ 6 and 17, Ord. 1479 c.s., as amended by § 1, Ord. 1994 c.s., eff. June 11, 1969, § 1, Ord. 2072 c.s., eff. July 12, 1972, § 1, Ord. 2124 c.s., eff. June 19, 1974, § 1, Ord. 2207 c.s., eff. June 30, 1977, § 1, Ord. 2334 c.s., eff. July 7, 1982, and § 1, Ord. 2980 c.s., eff. May 18, 2006)
The Poundmaster is hereby authorized and directed to annually print such number of dog license receipts or certificates in convenient form as in his or her judgment may be necessary, setting forth the year for which such receipt or certificate is issued, the description of the dog for which the receipt is issued and the amount of the license fee paid. All such blank forms shall be printed in book form and shall have corresponding stubs. The blank books shall be furnished by the Poundmaster. (§ 8, Ord. 1479 c.s.)
Upon impounding any dog found running at large, the Poundmaster shall immediately post a notice containing a brief description of such dog upon a bulletin board to be maintained at the pound by the Poundmaster. Within twelve (12) hours thereafter, the Poundmaster shall deliver a copy of such notice to the Chief of Police.
At any time within five (5) days from the date of the first posting of the notice, the owner or person entitled to possession of the dog may reclaim the dog upon payment of an impounding fee to the Poundmaster to recover the City’s costs in connection with impounding such dog. In addition, the owner or person entitled to possession of the dog shall be liable for a boarding fee for each day or portion thereof for which the dog has been impounded. The amount of such fees shall be set forth by resolution of the City Council. All fees levied for the costs of impounding and boarding dogs shall be due and payable upon presentation. All fees and charges shall constitute a valid and subsisting debt in favor of the City and against the owner or person entitled to possession of the dog. If all or a portion of such fees and charges remains unpaid and due to the City after the City has made reasonable attempt(s) to collect such debt, the City may file a civil action and recover the unpaid amount due plus any penalties and related charges owing because of nonpayment, and costs and attorney’s fees in connection with the collection efforts and the civil lawsuit. (§ 11, Ord. 1479, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2028 c.s., eff. September 16, 1970, and § 1, Ord. 2723 c.s., eff. February 3, 1994)
Every person keeping, harboring, or having a dog over the age of four (4) months in the City shall cause such dog to be vaccinated with canine rabies vaccine approved by and in a manner approved by the Department of Public Health of the State within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of harboring, keeping, or having such dog in the City or from the date the dog attains the age of four (4) months; provided, however, this provision shall not apply so as to require the vaccination of any dog which has been vaccinated with a chick embryo vaccine by a person licensed by the State, or any other state or nation, to practice veterinary medicine when such vaccination has been completed within the period of time prescribed in this section. If chick embryo vaccine was used in such vaccination, it shall have been completed within two (2) years prior to the date such dog was kept, harbored, or brought into the City. If nerve tissue rabies vaccine was used, such vaccination shall have been completed within one year prior to the date such dog was kept, harbored, or brought into the City. The annual renewal of licensing, as required by the provisions of subsection (a) of Section 121690 of the Health and Safety Code of the State, and revaccination, as may be required by the provisions of subsection (b) of said Section 121690 shall be procured not later than sixty (60) days after the expiration of the previously issued license. (§ 1, Ord. 1487, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1649; renumbered by § 2, Ord. 2037 c.s., eff. November 25, 1970, as amended by § 1(42), Ord. 2844 c.s., eff. November 4, 1999)
(a) It is unlawful for the owner or person having the charge or control of any dog or cat or other household pet, referred to as “animal” in this section, to permit such animal to defecate and to allow the feces to remain upon any public or private property not owned or possessed by the owner or person having the charge or control of such animal, unless the person shall immediately and securely enclose all feces deposited by the animal in a bag, wrapper, or other container and dispose of it in a sanitary manner.
(b) Any person who has the charge or control of an animal in a location other than on the property of such person or the property of the owner of the animal shall have in his or her possession a suitable wrapper, bag, or container for the purpose of complying with the requirements of this section. The failure of such person to carry such wrapper, bag, or container when in the charge or control of an animal in a location other than on the property of such person or the property of the owner of the animal shall constitute a violation of this section.
(c) A sightless person who has the charge or control of a guide dog shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. (§ 1, Ord. 2234 c.s., eff. August 30, 1978)
(a) Late renewal of licenses. Failure to renew a dog license within thirty (30) days of its expiration shall result in a Twenty-Five and No/100ths ($25.00) Dollars late fee. Penalties shall be due for each year or partial year of delinquency. Penalty assessments are in addition to any and all delinquent licensing fees.
The penalty fees shall be reviewed and re-established from time to time by resolution of the Council.
(b) Late penalty for new dog licenses. For failure to initially license a dog as provided in Section 5-1.105 of this article, the penalties set forth in subsection (a) of this section shall be applicable.
(c) Fees in addition to fines. The licensing obligations, fees, and penalties set forth in this article shall not be excused or reduced by the payment of a fine or bail in any court proceeding for the violation of this section. (§ 7, Ord. 1479 c.s., as amended by § 1, Ord. 1795 c.s., eff. May 29, 1963, § 1, Ord. 2197 c.s., eff. November 24, 1976, § 1, Ord. 2254 c.s., eff. October 5, 1978, § 2, Ord. 2334 c.s., eff. July 7, 1982, and § 1, Ord. 2981 c.s., eff. May 18, 2006)
(a) Frequency of collections.
(1) Residential. Refuse accumulated by residences shall be collected at least once each week.
(2) Commercial accounts. Commercial accounts shall be collected at least once per week. The Director shall have the authority to require that more collections be made.
(b) Special refuse problems. The following items are hereby declared to be unauthorized solid waste and shall not be placed in containers for regular collection but shall be disposed of as directed by the Director at the expense of the owner and possessor thereof:
(1) Ammunition, explosives, or inflammables of any type;
(2) Human, dog, or other excreta;
(3) Dog, cat, or other animal carcasses; and
(4) Any item or article of refuse liable to transmit a contagious or infectious disease. (§ 1, Ord. 2618 c.s., eff. June 7, 1991)
It is unlawful for any person to permit any dog, when harbored or controlled by him or her, to run at large on any public street, alley, lane, park or other public place or in or upon any unenclosed lot or premises in the City unless he or she is restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six (6′) feet in length and he or she is in the charge, care, custody or control of a competent person; provided, however, that no dog shall be allowed or permitted on any beach or in any store, market, restaurant, café, lunch room, soda fountain, bakery or kindred establishment wherein vegetables, meats or other foods for human consumption are served, sold or kept for sale. Any police officer or the Poundmaster is hereby authorized to enter upon any private premises for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter. No person shall refuse to obey any lawful order of such officer made in the performance of his or her duties within the powers conferred upon him or her by law. (§ 4, Ord. 1479 c.s.)
Dogs receiving initial injections of rabies vaccine shall be confined to the premises of, or kept under physical restraint by, the owner, keeper, or harborer of such dog until thirty (30) days have elapsed following such vaccination. (§ 5 1/2, Ord. 1487 c.s., as added by § 3, Ord. 1649 c.s., as renumbered by § 2, Ord. 2037 c.s., eff. November 25, 1970)
The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to prohibit the keeping of dogs under four (4) months of age without having obtained a license therefor, nor to prevent nonresidents visiting the City from keeping a dog therein for a period of not to exceed thirty (30) days without the payment of a license fee. (§ 12, Ord. 1479, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1744, eff. October 11, 1961)
All dogs under four (4) months of age shall be confined to the premises of, or kept under physical restraint by, the owner, keeper, or harborer of such dog. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prevent the sale or transportation of a puppy four (4) months old or younger. (§ 5 1/2, Ord. 1487 c.s., as added by § 3, Ord. 1649 c.s., as renumbered by § 2, Ord. 2037 c.s., eff. November 25, 1970)
When the primary police officer at a scene determines that a loud or unruly disturbance, as defined, is occurring, the primary police officer shall notify the person responsible for the loud or unruly disturbance, in writing and if possible, in person, that such person, or if such person is a minor, that such minor’s parent(s) or guardian(s) shall be held personally liable for the costs of providing police personnel and equipment on any special security assignment required by the continuation of the loud or unruly disturbance. In the event that the loud or unruly disturbance is caused by a barking dog or other animal or fowl, no fee shall be assessed under this chapter unless the same or similar loud or unruly disturbance occurs more than twenty-four (24) hours after written notification has been given. (§ 1, Ord. 2724 c.s., eff. March 17, 1994, as amended by § 2, Ord. 2846 c.s., eff. April 6, 2000, and § 1, Ord. 2868 c.s., eff. March 8, 2001)
4-32.01 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Loud or unruly disturbance” means (1) one or more persons who are causing an inordinate amount of noise or commotion or behaving in such a manner which constitutes a threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare; or (2) the maintaining, or permitting the keeping of, any barking dog or other animal or fowl, by any sound or outcry, shall result in noise levels at the complainant’s property line which are audible for more than five (5) minutes in any hour.
(b) “Primary police officer” means the police officer or animal control officer who was dispatched to the location of a reported loud or unruly disturbance, or such officer’s supervisor.
(c) “Special security assignment” means the dispatch of police personnel and services during the second and any subsequent police call to a location after the police call during which a police officer distributed a written warning that a loud or unruly disturbance is occurring and the continuation of such event is a violation of law.
(d) “Person responsible for the loud or unruly disturbance” includes the following:
(1) The legal resident(s) of the property where a loud or unruly disturbance takes place; and/or
(2) The person(s) who organized, sponsored, hosted or otherwise created the loud or unruly disturbance, each and all of whom shall be jointly and severally liable for the special security assignment fee. If the person responsible for the loud or unruly disturbance is a minor, the parent(s) or guardian(s) of such minor shall be jointly and severally liable for the special security assignment fee. (§ 1, Ord. 2724 c.s., eff. March 17, 1994, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2846, c.s., eff. April 6, 2000)
(a) Dogs. Dogs with or without a leash are hereby prohibited on any portion of the area described in this article. Any person permitting a dog to be in said area with or without a leash shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) Bicycles. It is unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle within the area described in this article; provided, however, bicycle riding shall be permitted on any portion of said area designated as a bicycle path.
(c) Skateboards. It is unlawful for any person to ride or propel any skateboard or similar device (including roller skates) along, across, upon, or within the area described in this article.
(d) Entertainers. It is unlawful for any person to conduct or furnish any entertainment on any public portion of the area described in this article unless:
(1) Such person has in his or her possession a bona fide lease, sublease, license, or permit consented to or issued by the City; and
(2) Such person is within an area specifically designated by the City for entertainment activities; and
(3) Such person is conducting or furnishing entertainment in compliance with all entertainment regulations promulgated by the City Manager or his designated representative.
For the purposes of this subsection, “entertainment” shall mean any presentation or activity of any nature which is designed or intended to divert, amuse, or attract the attention of persons observing such presentation or activity, including, but not limited to, the display of mental or physical agility.
(e) Off-premises sales of beverages in glass bottles.
(1) Definitions. For the purposes of this subsection, the following words and phrases shall be defined as follows:
(i) “Glass container” shall mean any airtight sealed device made of glass, plastic, or other materials which container directly holds or contains liquids and which is capable or likely to shatter when dropped or thrown upon a solid surface.
(ii) “Sale” shall mean a commercial transaction by any person, firm, individual, corporation, partnership, or vendor in which transaction beverages are sold directly to the public for a monetary consideration for the purposes of off-premises consumption. “Sale” shall not include a transaction for the purpose of reselling.
(2) Sales of bottled drinks. It is unlawful to sell, in the Fisherman’s Wharf Area, any liquid contained in any glass container to be consumed by a person off the premises on which the container is sold. (§ 1, Ord. 2236 c.s., eff. May 31, 1978, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2317 c.s., eff. December 30, 1981)
(a) Dogs, with or without a leash, are hereby prohibited on any portion of any park, except for organized pet shows and other organized activities that have received a Special Events Permit from the City Manager or designee, vaccination clinics, obedience schools authorized by the Community Services Department, Seeing Eye dogs, and dogs used in law enforcement activities (including canine competitions, trials, exhibitions or demonstrations).
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to the following:
(1) Dogs under the control of a competent person in a posted fenced “dog exercise area” in a City park or portion of a City park approved and designated for that purpose by the City Council;
(2) Dogs on any public sidewalk adjacent to the perimeter of a park;
(3) Dogs traveling directly and without delay on the designated path from either the north or south parking lots at Dominguez Park to and from the dog exercise area remaining exclusively on the dirt path, neither person nor dog encroaching on any grassy area of the park while restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six (6′) feet in length and is in the charge, care, custody or control of a competent person.
(c) The following regulations and limitations shall apply to all dog exercise areas:
(1) As a condition of admission to such dog exercise areas, the owner of such dog is required to clean all dog feces from the designated exercise area.
(2) Any dog over the age of four (4) months shall have been vaccinated for rabies and legally licensed prior to use of the designated exercise area.
(3) Female dogs in heat are not permitted to use the facilities.
(4) Professional dog trainers may not use the facilities in the conduct of their business.
(5) There shall be no smoking in the exercise area.
(6) The owner of any dog using the designated exercise area must have in his or her possession at all times that the dog is in the exercise area a leash for such dog, which shall be worn by the dog when traveling on the designated path or sidewalks through the park to and from the dog exercise area.
(7) Children under twelve (12) years of age must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.
(8) Dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior must be leashed and removed from the exercise area immediately.
(9) Use of the dog exercise area by any dog shall constitute implied consent of the dog’s owner to all of the conditions stated in this section and shall constitute a waiver of liability to the City and an agreement and undertaking to protect, indemnify, defend and hold the City harmless for any injury or damage caused by such dog during any time that the dog is using the facility. (§ 1, Ord. 3051 c.s., eff. June 18, 2010, as amended by § 1, Ord. 3141 c.s., eff. December 17, 2015)The Poundmaster is hereby authorized and directed to annually print such number of dog license receipts or certificates in convenient form as in his or her judgment may be necessary, setting forth the year for which such receipt or certificate is issued, the description of the dog for which the receipt is issued and the amount of the license fee paid. All such blank forms shall be printed in book form and shall have corresponding stubs. The blank books shall be furnished by the Poundmaster. (§ 8, Ord. 1479 c.s.)
(a) Authorized. The Poundmaster shall capture and impound any dog found within the City which is not wearing a license issued by the City or by any other municipality in the County or by the County and stamped as set forth in this article.
(b) Right of entry. Any police officer of the City, or any officer or employee of the Poundmaster, or the Poundmaster shall have the right to enter upon any private or public property in the City to examine or capture any dog thereon; provided, however, no such officer or employee shall have the right to enter a house which is in use as a residence or a fenced or locked yard without first having secured a search warrant therefor.
(c) Release of dogs. No dog so impounded shall be released to any person until there has been a performance of the following conditions:
(1) There has been presented to the Poundmaster a current license for such dog issued by the Poundmaster or by the City Clerk or, if the person keeping, harboring, or having such dog is not a resident of the City, such nonresident has presented to the Poundmaster a current license conforming to the provisions of this article for such dog issued by any other municipality in the County or by the County;
(2) When the person keeping, harboring, or having such dog is a resident of the City, there has been paid to the Poundmaster the license fee for a City dog license as provided by law;
(3) There has been paid to the Poundmaster the impounding, collection, and other fees provided by law;
(4) There has been paid to the Poundmaster a reasonable fee as determined by the Poundmaster for the vaccination of the dog; provided, however, such fee shall not exceed Five and no/100ths ($5.00) Dollars, or there has been shown to the satisfaction of the Poundmaster that such dog has been vaccinated with rabies vaccine within the time periods and according to the other requirements set forth in this article, or that a certificate of disability has been issued for such dog as provided in this article; and
(5) The Poundmaster has determined that such dog does not have and is not reasonably suspected of having rabies.
(d) Vaccination of dogs. Within seventy-two (72) hours after the receipt of the vaccination fee, or as soon thereafter as possible except as set forth in subsection (e) of this section, the Poundmaster shall cause the dog for which the fee has been paid to be vaccinated with chick embryo vaccine by a person licensed by the State to practice veterinary medicine or shall secure from such veterinarian a certificate of disability for such dog. After the dog has been vaccinated or a certificate of disability has been secured, and if all the conditions of subsection (c) of this section have been satisfied, the Poundmaster shall release such dog to the person keeping, harboring, or having such dog or to the person making the application for the release of such dog.
(e) Suspicion of rabies. If the Poundmaster suspects that any dog so impounded has rabies, he shall hold such dog for inspection by a health officer of the County. In the event such health officer shall determine that such dog is afflicted with rabies, it shall be disposed of or confined for such time as the health officer shall direct. In the event such health officer suspects that such dog may develop rabies, it shall be confined for such time as the health officer shall direct. Whenever the health officer shall determine that such dog does not have rabies, it shall be released in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section. (§ 5, Ord. 1487; renumbered by § 2, Ord. 2037 c.s., eff. November 25, 1970)The Poundmaster is hereby authorized and directed to annually print such number of dog license receipts or certificates in convenient form as in his or her judgment may be necessary, setting forth the year for which such receipt or certificate is issued, the description of the dog for which the receipt is issued and the amount of the license fee paid. All such blank forms shall be printed in book form and shall have corresponding stubs. The blank books shall be furnished by the Poundmaster. (§ 8, Ord. 1479 c.s.)