HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 1363-2005
ORDINANCE NO. 1363-2005
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF CHAPTER
9.04 OF TITLE 9 OF THE SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO MUNICIPAL
CODE "ANIMAL LICENSING AND CONTROL" TO COINCIDE
WITH THE NEWL Y REVISED AND ADOPTED ORDINANCE OF
THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO DOES
HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: Section 9.04.010 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
9.04.010 Definitions.
(a) "Animal Control Officer" means that person designated as the Animal Control Program
Manager of the Division of Animal Control Services for the County and his or her duly
authorized officers or deputies, as well as the President of the County's contract agent and
his or her duly authorized officers or deputies.
(b) "Animal Control Program" means that program within the Division of Animal Control
Services of the Environmental Services Agency of the County, or the County's designated
contract agent or both, which is specifically charged with regulating and enforcing laws
dealing with animal control within its jurisdiction.
(c) "Animal Control Shelter" means the facilities provided by the County or the County's
designated contract agent for the impounding of animals.
(d) "Director of Environmental Services Agency" means that person so designated by the
governing body of the County of San Mateo.
(e) "Licensing Program" means that program within the Division of Revenue Services of the
Employee and Public Services Agency, which is specifically charged with regulating and
selling animal licenses and registrations in the County of San Mateo.
(f) "Impoundment" means the picking up and confining of an animal by the Animal Control
Program.
(g) "Owner" of an animal means that person 18 years of age or over who holds the license to
the animal, or if the animal is not licensed, that person 18 years of age or over legally
entitled to possession of the animal concerned and who has primary responsibility for the
care of the animal.
1 of 15
!'"
(h) "Dangerous Animal" means any animal, except a trained dog assisting a peace officer
engaged in law enforcement duties, which because of its disposition, behavior, training or
other characteristic constitutes a danger to persons or property, or which demonstrates any or
all of the following behavior:
(1) Any attack or other behavior which requires a defensive action by any person to
prevent bodily injury or property damage or that results in an injury to a person or
property.
(2) Any aggressive attack or other behavior that constitutes a substantial threat of
bodily harm to a person or animal, where such attack, injury or behaviors occurs in a
place where such person or animal is conducting himself or herself peaceably and
lawfully.
(3) An attack on another animal or livestock, which occurs off the property of the
Owner of the attacking animal.
(4) Any animal that has been deemed by another governmental jurisdiction as
"potentially dangerous," "dangerous," "vicious," or any other similar designation.
(i) "Wolf Hybrid" means any offspring of domestic dogs bred to wild canids (e.g., wolves or
coyotes) and their subsequent generations.
(j) "Vicious Animal" means any animal, except a trained dog assisting a peace officer
engaged in law enforcement duties, which meets any or all of the following criteria:
(1) Any animal previously designated as "dangerous," that after investigation by an
Animal Control Officer and/or Peace Officer is found under conditions which
constitute a violation of this chapter or applicable dangerous animal permit and
which demonstrates a significant danger to the public health or safety;
(2) Any animal seized under Section 599aa of the Penal Code and/or upon the
sustaining of a conviction of the Owner or caretaker under subdivision (a) of Section
597.5 of the Penal Code;
(3) Any animal which inflicts severe injury on or kills a human being or another
animal;
(4) Any animal, which has engaged in any aggressive behavior, which demonstrates
that the animal represents a clear and present substantial danger to the public health
or safety and that due to substantial risk to the public health or safety it is unlikely
that the animal could be safely maintained under a dangerous animal permit.
(k) "Severe injury" means any physical injury directly caused by an animal attack that
2 of 15
consists of muscle tears, multiple punctures, broken bones or disfiguring lacerations, or
which requires multiple sutures or corrective or cosmetic surgery.
SECTION 2: Section 9.04.030 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
9.04.030 Scope of Authority of Humane Officers and Animal Control Officers.
Humane Officers qualified and appointed pursuant to California Corporations Code 14502,
who are employees of any public pound, society for prevention of cruelty to animals or
humane society which has contracted with the County to provide animal control services,
shall have the authority to issue notices to appear in court pursuant to Chapter 5C
(commencing with Section 853.5 of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code of the State of
California) for violations of state and local animal control laws. This authority is based on
section 14503 of the Corporations Code and Section 607g of the California Civil Code.
Animal Control Officers shall have the authority provided by state law including but not
limited to that described by Penal Code Section 830.9.
SECTION 3: Section 9.04.090 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby amended to be entitled and to n:ad as follows:
9.04.090 Dangerous animal permit required.
(a) No person shall knowingly keep, have, maintain, se:ll, trade or let for hire an animal
designated under the provisions of this chapter as dangerous without obtaining a Dangerous
Animal Permit from the Animal Control Officer. The animal Owner shall comply with all
conditions of the Dangerous Animal Permit including but not limited to all requirements of
Section 9.04.110 of this Chapter. Any animal, which is detennined to be dangerous under
this Chapter and for which a permit has not been obtained shall be surrendered to an Animal
Control Officer for appropriate disposition including humane destruction.
(b) If an Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer has investigated and determined that an
animal is dangerous, the Animal Control Officer and/or Peace Officer shall deliver written
notice of such determination to the Owner of the animal. Should the animal pose a threat to
the public health and safety, an Animal Control Officer may immediately impound the
animal.
(c) If, after investigation by an Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer, that officer
determines that probable cause does not exist to believe the animal is dangerous, any
interested person may appeal that determination by submitting within five (5) calendar days
of the decision a written request to the Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer for a hearing
and paying the required fee. The hearing shall be conducted according to the procedures set
forth in Section 9.04.105 of this Chapter.
3 of 15
(d) In determining whether or not an animal shall be declared dangerous, the Animal Control
Officer, Peace Officer or Hearing Officer appointed pursuant to Section 9.04.105, may
consider, as a mitigating factor or factors, whether, at the time of the injury, attack or
molestation, the person or animal suffering the injury, attack or molestation:
(1) Provoked, tormented, teased, abused or assaulted the animal thereby causing or
contributing to the alleged behavior;
(2) Committed a willful trespass or other tort upon the private property of the Owner
or caretaker of the animal;
(3) Threatened or committed an unjustified attack or assault against the Owner,
caretaker or person in control of the animal.
(4) Or any other mitigating factors deemed appropriate for consideration by the
Animal Control Officer, Peace Officer or Hearing Officer.
( e) Upon receipt of written or oral notification by the Animal Control Officer and/or Peace
Officer that an animal is dangerous as defined in this Chapter, the Owner shall submit an
application for a Dangerous Animal Permit to the Animal Control Officer within five (5)
calendar days. The application for a permit shall contain the name of the applicant,
applicant's address, the applicant's home and business phone numbers, the address and
description of the proposed location of where the animal will be kept, if different from
applicant's, a complete description and a photograph of the animal. The permit shall contain
all of the requirements of Section 9.04.110 and any additional conditions or requirements
deemed necessary by the Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer to protect the public
health or safety.
(f) Should the Owner of the animal wish to contest the dangerous animal designation, the
Owner may request a hearing, to be conducted according to the procedures set forth in
Section 9.04.105 of this Chapter. The Owner shall submit a written request for a Dangerous
Animal Hearing to the Animal Control Officer and/or Peace Officer within five (5) calendar
days of written notification by the Animal Control Officer and/or Peace Officer that the
animal has been declared dangerous. Should the Owner not submit a request for a hearing
within five (5) calendar days of notification, the hearing process shall be deemed waived by
the Owner, and the dangerous animal declaration will be considered final by the County
Director of the Environmental Services Agency, or the City having jurisdiction. In that
event, the County Director of the Environmental Services Agency or the City having
jurisdiction may allow the dangerous animal permit to be issued without a hearing. Unless a
dangerous animal permit is immediately obtained, the animal shall be impounded at the
Owner's expense pending appropriate disposition as d,etermined by the Animal Control
Officer and/or Peace Officer.
SECTION 4: A new Section 9.05.095 is hereby added to Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the
South San Francisco Municipal Code to be numbered and entitled and to read as follows:
4 of 15
9.04.095 Declaration of vicious animals.
(a) No person shall keep, have, maintain, sell, trade or let for hire an animal, which has been
designated as vicious pursuant to this Chapter.
(b) If an Animal Control Officer and/or Peace Officer has investigated and determined that
an animal is vicious, the Animal Control Officer and/or Peace Officer shall deliver to the
Owner of the animal written notice of that determination. The Animal Control Officer and/or
Peace Officer shall immediately impound or cause to be impounded the animal and shall
cause the animal to be humanely destroyed unless the Owner requests a hearing under
subsection (c) of this section.
( c) If the Owner of the animal disputes the designation of an animal as a vicious animal by
the Animal Control Officer and/or Peace Officer (s)he may submit a written request for a
hearing to the Animal Control Officer and/or Peace Officer within five (5) calendar days of
notification. Such hearing shall be conducted according to the procedures set forth in Section
9.04.105 of this Chapter. Failure of the Owner to request a hearing shall result in the animal
being declared vicious and humanely destroyed. The vicious animal declaration will be
considered final by the County Director of the Environmental Services Agency, or the City
of South San Francisco.
(d) If, after investigation by an Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer, that officer
determines that probable cause does not exist to believe that the animal is vicious, any
interested person may appeal that determination by submitting within five (5) calendar days
of the decision a written request to the Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer for a hearing
and paying the required fee.
( e) In determining whether or not an animal shall be declared vicious, the Animal Control
Officer, Peace Officer or Hearing Officer may consider, as a mitigating factor or factors,
whether at the time of the injury, attack or behavior, the person or animal suffering the
injury, attack or behavior for which the animal is being determined vicious:
(1) Provoked, tormented, teased, abused or assaulted the animal thereby causing or
contributing to the alleged behavior;
(2) Committed a willful trespass or other tort upon the private property of the Owner
or caretaker of the animal;
(3) Threatened or committed an unjustified attack or assault against the Owner,
caretaker or person in control of the animal.
(4) Or any other mitigating factors deemed appropriate for consideration by the
5 of 15
Animal Control Officer, Peace Officer or Hearing Officer.
SECTION 5: Section 9.04.100 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby amended to be entitled and to read as follows:
9.04.100 Issuance of permit for dangerous animal.
(a) No permit obtained under this section is transferable. If the Owner's address or the
location where the animal is kept changes or the Owner transfers ownership of the animal,
the permit shall become null and void and an application fc)r a new permit must be submitted
to the Animal Control Officer.
(b) A permit issued under this chapter is subject to renewal and approval each year and is
subject to conditions and requirements existing as of the date of renewal. The permittee shall
pay an annual fee for this permit pursuant to the procedures established by the Division of
Animal Control Services. If permittee fails to file an application for renewal or pay the
permit fee prior to the permit anniversary date the permit shall automatically become void.
The fee for such permit shall be as set forth in section 9.04.200. This fee shall not be
refundable.
(c) If the Owner or permittee has a history of multiple violations of this Chapter 9.04 or of
the conditions of any previously issued dangerous animal permit, the Animal Control Officer
or Hearing Officer may deny the permit and impound the animal for appropriate disposition
as determined by the Animal Control Officer or Hearing Officer.
SECTION 6: A new section 9.04.105 is hereby added to Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the
South San Francisco Municipal Code to be numbered and entitled and to read as follows:
9.04.105 Hearing procedures.
(a) Hearings held under this Chapter shall be conducted by a hearing officer or designated
representative appointed by the Director of the Environm,ental Services Agency. The City of
South San Francisco utilizes the services of the San :\1ateo County designated hearing
officer to hold hearings under these animal control ordinances. The hearings shall be
scheduled no less than five (5) working days and no more than fifteen (15) working days
from the receipt of the request for the hearing unless agreed upon by the involved Animal
Control Officer or Peace Officer and the animal Owner. A hearing may be continued if the
Hearing Officer deems it necessary and proper or if the Owner, or Animal Control Officer
and/or Peace Officer shows good cause.
(b) The hearing shall be conducted in an informal manner consistent with due process of
law. Both the Owner of the animal and Animal Control Officer and/or Peace Officer may be
represented by counsel. The parties may present relevant evidence and call and cross-
6 of 15
examine witnesses. The strict rules of evidence shall not be applicable. Any relevant
evidence may be admitted if it is the sort of evidence on which responsible persons are
accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs. The hearing shall be tape-recorded and
all documentary evidence submitted at the hearing shall be preserved. Any party may
arrange for a court reporter to be present. Any party desiring the presence of a court reporter
shall make all necessary arrangements and shall be responsible for payment of all costs.
(c) The Hearing Officer may exclude disorderly or disruptive persons from the hearing or
make other orders as necessary to ensure the fair and orderly conduct of the hearing.
(d) The Hearing Officer may decide all issues for or against the Owner of the animal should
the Owner fail to appear at the hearing.
(e) Within five (5) working days of the hearing, the Hearing Officer shall render a brief
written decision, which decision shall be final at the administrative level. The written
decision shall be mailed to the parties by certified mail and include a declaration or proof of
mailing which includes the date on which the decision was mailed to the parties.
(f) Unless the hearing officer for good cause otherwise determines, the Owner of the animal
is liable for all costs related to such hearing not to exceed three-hundred and fifty dollars
($350).
(g) The failure to conduct a hearing required by this section shall have no bearing on any
criminal prosecution for violation of any provisions of this chapter.
(h) In the case of animals determined by an Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer to be
dangerous or vicious, the hearing officer may decide any or all of the following:
1) That the animal be designated "vicious" and the Owner of the animal lose all
rights of ownership and control of the animal and the animal shall be humanely
destroyed. An animal designated as vicious will be held at the animal shelter for a
minimum of five (5) calendar days from the datt: of the hearing officer's decision,
after which time it may be humanely destroyed without further notice to the Owner;
2) That the animal be designated "dangerous" and the Owner must apply for and
obtain a dangerous animal permit as provided by this chapter within five calendar
days of receipt of the decision letter in order to maintain the animal and the Owner
must comply with all mandatory dangerous animal permit rules and regulations as
defined in Section 9.04.110;
3) That the dangerous animal permit shall contain additional permit conditions to
supplement the mandatory dangerous animal pernlit rules and regulations as defined
in Section 9.04.110, including, but not limited to, the following:
7 of 15
i) That the Owner keep the animal muzzled at all times when the animal is off the
Owner's property;
ii) That the Owner prove financial responsibility by posting a bond or certificate of
insurance for an amount of $1,000,000 per animal as determined by the Hearing
Officer;
iii) That the Owner provide private behavioral and obedience training to the animal,
at the Owner's expense and within the time set forth by the Hearing Officer
following the issuance of a dangerous animal pemlit. Proof of participation, a report
of behavioral assessment, and/or a certificate of satisfactory completion from an
animal behaviorist or organization approved by the Hearing Officer shall be provided
to the Animal Control Officer within seven calendar days following any required
training;
iv) That the Owner comply with any other permit requirement the Hearing Officer
deems necessary to protect the public health or safdy;
v) That the Owner reimburse the victim for the victim's medical expenses or the
victim animal's veterinary expenses;
vi) Pursuant to section 9.04.130 of this Chapter, that the dangerous animal permit be
modified as ordered by the Hearing Officer, or revoked and the animal humanely
destroyed.
SECTION 7: Section 9.04.110 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby amended to be entitled and to read as follows:
9.04.110 Mandatory dangerous animal permit requirements.
Any Owner of a dangerous animal shall insure compliance with the following rules and
regulations which shall be mandatory requirements for any dangerous animal permit:
(a) When the animal is off the property of its Owner, the Owner must ensure that the animal
is restrained with a leash not to exceed four (4) feet in length and having a minimum tensile
strength of 300 pounds and shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Owner or
a person of such age, size and strength as can easily control such animal. Extraordinary care
shall be taken by the Owner to ensure that such restraint is sufficient to control the animal in
a manner which it will not endanger other persons or animals.
(b) The Owner shall maintain the animal so that it is not a threat to any mail carrier,
sanitation worker, meter person, or other person who has the lawful right to enter the
8 of 15
property.
( c) The Owner shall ensure that the animal is not kept upon any unenclosed premise unless it
is leashed and controlled by a person capable of controlling such animal. The Owner shall
ensure that the animal is not tethered, tied or staked at any unenclosed premise. The Owner
shall ensure that the animal is not kept in a house or structure when the windows or doors
are open or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the animal from exiting the
structure.
(d) The Owner shall ensure that the animal is kept in a fenced yard, kennel, run or enclosure
approved by the Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer. The Owner shall ensure that all
structures used to confine the animals are locked with a key or combination lock when such
animals are within the structure. The Owner shall regularly inspect the fenced yard, kennel,
run or enclosure to ensure that it is secure to maintain the animal.
( e) The Owner shall open premises upon which an animal is maintained at any reasonable
hour for inspection by the Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer and said premises shall
be surrendered for inspection by the Owner upon the request of the Animal Control Officer
or Peace Officer. The Owner shall pay a fee for the costs incurred by County for the
inspection or reinspection of property. Such fee shall be set forth in section 9.04.200.
(f) The Owner of the dangerous animal shall post the entrances to the property where the
animal is kept with a legible sign conspicuous to the public warning persons of the presence
of a dangerous animal. The Owner of the dangerous animal shall obtain an approved sign
from the Animal Control Program for a non-refundable fee and shall surrender such sign in
the event of the revocation of the permit, death of animal, or approved relocation of the
animal, or upon any other reasonable demand by an Animal Control Officer.
(g) The Owner of any dangerous animal must advise all members who reside in the same
household and on the same premises of the conditions established by the permit for keeping
or maintaining said dangerous animal.
(h) The Owner shall strictly comply with all local and state laws regarding the care, use,
control and maintenance of animals.
(i) In addition to a license, the Owner shall ensure that the animal shall at all times wear a
separate tag issued by the Division of Animal Control Services, which designates it as a
dangerous animal. The Owner shall ensure that the dangerous animal is microchipped and
registered with the Animal Control Program for a fee specified by Section 9.04.200 within
thirty (30) calendar days from the date the permit was issued. The animal Owner shall be
responsible for payment of said fee, which shall be utilized by the Animal Control Program
to offset the cost of the chip and to maintain the registration program.
(j) The Owner shall have the animal spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian, at the
9 of 15
Owner's expense, within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date the permit was issued. The
Owner shall present written proof to the Animal Control Officer that the surgery was
performed. In the event an animal cannot be safely spayed or neutered due to medical
reasons, the Owner shall present written proof from a licensed practicing veterinarian to the
Animal Control Officer that said animal cannot be spayed or neutered.
(k) The Owner may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of such animal to another County
or City without notifying Animal Control at least twenty..four (24) hours before such sale,
transfer or disposal. Animal Control will notify the proper authorities of the jurisdiction to
which the dangerous animal is transferred. Should the Owner of a dangerous animal wish to
transfer ownership of the animal to another individual within San Mateo County, the new
Owner must submit to a property inspection, apply for and obtain a new dangerous animal
permit, pay all requisite fees, and comply with all provisions of this chapter and the
requirements ofthe permit.
(1) No more than two dangerous animals may be kept at anyone household.
(m) The Owner shall not allow any animal designated "dangerous" as the result of
aggression against human(s) to be kept on property or within a household in which a
juvenile person under the age of eighteen resides.
(n) The Owner of a dangerous animal must notify the Animal Control Officer of the
animal's death within twenty-four (24) hours and shall produce the animal's body for
verification upon request. The Owner of a dangerous animal must notify the Animal Control
Officer immediately in the event the animal becomes lost or stolen.
(0) The Owner must pay all permit and property inspection fees as described in section
9.04.125 ofthis chapter.
(p) The Owner shall comply with all other permit conditions or requirements imposed
pursuant to section 9.04.105 or 9.04.090(a).
SECTION 8: Section 9.04.120 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby repealed and a new Section 9.04.120 is hereby added to be
numbered and entitled to read as follows:
9.04.120 Possession of Animals after Revocation of Dangerous Animal Permit or Vicious
Declaration.
No person who has been determined to be in possession or ownership of a vicious animal or
a dangerous animal for which a permit has been revoked under this Chapter shall be granted
any dangerous animal permit for a period of three years following such determination or
revocation.
10 of 15
SECTION 9: A new Section 9.04.125 of Chapter 9.04 of the Title 9 of the South San
Francisco Municipal Code is hereby added to be numbered and entitled and to read as
follows:
9.04.125 Inspection fee.
A fee shall be charged for the costs incurred by County for the inspection or reinspection of
property. The fee charged shall be paid by the Owner or person who has custody of the
animal. Such fee shall be set forth in section 9.04.200.
SECTION 10: Section 9.04.130 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby entitled and amended to read as follows:
9.04.130 Revocation or modification of permit.
(a) Subject to the provision of subsection (b), any permit issued pursuant to this section may
be revoked or modified by the inclusion of additional requirements or otherwise, if the
Animal Control Officer has reasonable cause to believe any of the following to be true:
(1) The dangerous animal Owner or any person the Owner has allowed to have
possession of the animal has violated any local animal ordinances, or is in violation
of any zoning, health and safety or building ordinance or Penal Code section relating
to the keeping, care or use of any animals;
(2) The Owner or any person the Owner has allowed to have possession of the
animal has violated any rules, regulations or conditions of this Chapter including but
not limited to dangerous animal permit conditions, or any requirement imposed by
the Animal Control Officer, Peace Officer or Hearing Officer as necessary to insure
the animal will not endanger the peace, health or safety of any person or property; or
(3) The Owner has changed the location of his residence or his place of business or
sells, assigns, transfers, donates, leases, or otherwise disposes of the animal for
which the permit was issued.
(b) In the event that it is reasonably necessary to protect against a threat to the health or
safety of the public, or of any animal, the Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer may
impound or cause to be impounded the animal while an investigation is taking place.
(c) If, after investigation, the Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer concludes that it is
probable that one or more of the above grounds for revocation or modification of the permit
has occurred, the Officer shall cause written notice thert:of to be transmitted to the Owner.
Said notice shall specify the grounds of revocation or modification of the permit. Should the
Owner of the animal wish to contest the revocation or modification of the permit, (s)he may
11 of 15
request a hearing to be held before a hearing officer not previously involved with the permit
issuance or investigation, as designated by the Director of the Environmental Services
Agency within five (5) calendar days of receiving the notice of intent to modify or revoke
permit. Said hearing date shall be not less than five (5) working days or more than 15
working days subsequent to the date the request for hearing is received. The hearing shall be
conducted as set forth in section 9.04.105 of this Chapter. After the hearing, the Officer
conducting the hearing may modify the terms of the pennit or revoke the permit depending
upon the Owner's ability to comply with the requirements of this Chapter and to control the
animal so that the health, safety and property of the public are protected.
(d) Upon written or oral notification by the Animal Control Officer, or Hearing Officer if a
hearing was held, of any modifications to a dangerous animal permit, the Owner shall
immediately comply with such modified permit requirements.
(e) Upon written or oral notification by the Animal Control Officer, or Hearing Officer if a
hearing was held, of the revocation of a permit for a dangerous animal, the Owner of such
animal shall within two (2) calendar days of such notification surrender said animal to an
Animal Control Officer to be humanely destroyed or provide written proof to an Animal
Control Officer in the form of declaration(s) under penalty of perjury that such animal has
been permanently removed from the County of San Mateo and declaring the new location or
new address where the animal is to be kept.
SECTION 11: Section 9.04.140 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
9.04.140 Animals to be impounded.
(a) Every animal kept or found by an Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer under
conditions which constitute a violation of this Chapter or other state or local law may be
impounded or caused to be impounded by an Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer. The
animal's Owner shall be charged with all costs incurred or fees applicable with respect to
such impoundment.
(b) When the Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer has reasonable cause to believe that
any animal is dangerous or vicious the Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer may also
impound or cause to be impounded the animal and keep it for such period not to exceed
fifteen (15) days in order to observe, examine and determine whether or not such animal is
dangerous or vicious.
(c) Any animal subject to dangerous or vicious animal proceedings may be impounded at the
discretion of the Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer pending notice, hearings and
determinations hereunder and until any required permit is obtained.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter or state law, an impounded animal may be
12 of 15
redeemed by the Owner, after payment of the required fees and charges and compliance with
licensing requirements. In the event such animal is not so redeemed within the time set forth
by state law, it may be disposed of in the manner determined by an Animal Control Officer.
SECTION 12: Section 9.04.150 of Chapter 9.04 of Tide 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby amended to be entitled and to read as follows:
9.04.150 Notice of impounded animals.
Within twenty-four (24) hours of the impoundment of any animal, the Animal Control
Officer shall mail a written notice thereof to the place of business or residence of the Owner
of the animal if known. In the event the animal may not be redeemed as provided by
subsection (d) of section 9.04.140, the Owner may requeS1[ a hearing under section 9.04.105,
subsections (a) - (g) of this Chapter or applicable state law. The Animal Control Officer
shall maintain records of said impoundment pursuant to St:ction 9.04.180.
SECTION 13: Section 9.04.160 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby repealed.
SECTION 14: Section 9.04.170 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby repealed.
SECTION 15: Section 9.04.180 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
9.04.180 Record of impounded animals.
The Animal Control Program shall keep a record of all animals impounded, which record
shall include a description of the animal, the date of its receipt, the date and manner of
disposal, the name of the person redeeming or purchasing, and the fees and charges and
proceeds of sales received on account thereof, and such additional matters as may be
necessary and incidental to implementing this Chapter. Such records shall be kept for four
years.
SECTION 16. Section 9.04.190 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
9.04.190 Redemption.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by this ordinance or by any other law, the Owner or person
entitled to the control or custody of any animal impounded may, at any time before the sale
or other disposition thereof, redeem the same by paying all proper fees assessed by Animal
Control Services. Animal Control Services shall issue to the Owner duplicate receipts for the
amount of the fee paid.
13 of 15
(b) Upon redemption of any impounded unaltered animal, the Owner will be required to pay
a spay/neuter fee in the amount of $35.00 in addition to the impound fees imposed under
section 9.04.200. Such fee shall be refundable upon proof of spay/neuter of the animal
within thirty (30) days of the redemption date. Any unaltered animal impounded twice or
more within a three-year period shall be altered at the Owner's expense prior to redemption.
At the option of the Owner, required spaying or neutering may be performed by a private
veterinarian.
(c) Any Owner of an impounded animal subject to mandatory spay/neuter under subsection
(b) may petition, in writing, for a hearing conducted by the Animal Control Program
Manager or his or her designee within three days following notice of the second
impoundment. The hearing shall be held within four working days of such petition and shall
be subject to the provisions of section 9.04.105, subsections (a) - (g). After the hearing, the
hearing officer may require that the animal be spayed or neutered at the Owner's expense,
unless the hearing officer determines that good cause exists for not requiring that the animal
be spayed or neutered.
SECTION 17: Section 9.04.260 of Chapter 9.04 of Title 9 of the South San Francisco
Municipal Code is hereby amended to be entitled and to read as follows:
9.04.260 Misdemeanor violations.
(a) A person violating any provision of this Chapter shall be guilty of an infraction except as
otherwise specifically provided.
(b) A person violating any provision of subsection (a) of section 9.04.090 or subsection (a)
of section 9.04.095 of this Chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
SECTION 18: Unless specifically amended herein, the remaining sections of Chapter 9.04
of Title 9 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 19. SEVERABILITY
In the event any section or portion of this ordinance shall be determined invalid or
unconstitutional, such section or portion shall be deemed severable and all other sections
or portions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 20. PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE
Pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 36933, a Summary of this
Ordinance shall be prepared by the City Attorney. At least five (5) days prior to the
Council meeting at which this Ordinance is scheduled to be adopted, the City Clerk shall
(1) publish the Summary, and (2) post in the City Clerk's Office a certified copy of this
Ordinance. Within fifteen (15) days after the adoption of this Ordinance, the City Clerk
shall (1) publish the summary, and (2) post in the City Clerk's Office a certified copy of
14 of 15
the full text of this Ordinance along with the names of those City Council members
voting for and against this Ordinance or otherwise voting.
*
*
*
*
*
*
Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of South San
Francisco, held the 26th day of October 2005.
Adopted as an Ordinance of the City of South San Francisco at a regular meeting
ofthe City Council held the 9th day of November, 2005 by the following vote:
AYES:
Councilmembers Richard A. Garbarino, Pedro Gonzalez, and Karyl Matsumoto,
Mayor Pro rem Joseph A. Fernekes and Mayor Raymond L. Green
NOES:
None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
As Mayor of the City of South San Francisco, I do hereby approve the foregoing
Ordinance this 10th day of November, 2005.
'R~~'--d ;t ~
\ Mayor
15 of 15
,.