§ 6.04.050. Animal regulations.

A.

It is unlawful for the owner or possessor of any animal to allow it to enter upon the land of another without the permission of the owner or possessor of such land. This subsection does not apply to livestock on the open range or to domestic cats, or to areas of the county not subject to the leash law ordinance, Section 6.04.055..

B.

It is unlawful for the owner or possessor of any animal to allow said animal to disturb the peace by loud and unreasonable howling, barking, or by the marking of other loud and unreasonable noise. The written affirmation by two persons, not related and having separate residences, stating their peace and quiet is unreasonably disturbed by such dog shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this subsection. This subsection does not apply to reasonable noises emanating from legally operated animal hospitals, animal shelters, humane societies, commercial animal establishments or agricultural activities.

C.

It is unlawful for the owner or possessor of any animal to allow it to trespass on public or private property so as to damage or destroy any property or thing of value. This subsection extends to trespass on the open range if the public health or welfare is endangered.

D.

It is unlawful for the owner or possessor of any animal to allow it to attack or injure any person or animal.

E.

It is unlawful for the owner or possessor of any dog to allow it to mate or attempt to mate in view of the public or in a public place.

F.

It is unlawful for any person to permit any female dog which is owned, harbored or controlled by him, to run at large at any time during the period when the dog is in heat or breeding condition.

G.

It is unlawful for the owner or possessor of any dog to allow it to enter upon the grounds of any school unless the dog is secured by a leash and is under the control of its possessor, or is securely fastened by a leash to a fixture. This provision shall not apply if permission has been given by the chief administrative officer of the school or his/her designee to the owner or possessor of the dog to allow it to enter upon the grounds of a school without being secured by a leash or securely fastened by a leash to a fixture. In any criminal prosecution or civil action for a violation of this provision the burden of proving such permission shall rest upon the person or persons claiming it.

H.

It is unlawful for the owner or possessor of any dog to allow it to enter upon the grounds of any park unless the dog is secured by a leash and is under the control of its possessor or is securely fastened by a leash to a fixture. This section shall not apply to a dog participating in a training session and the dog is under the voice or hand control of the owner.

I.

It is unlawful for any person to posses any animal that is seriously injured or afflicted with mange, ringworm, distemper or any other disease without providing adequate treatment for such condition. For the purposes of this subsection, adequate treatment shall mean such treatment that in the opinion of a veterinarian is appropriate given the injury or condition of the animal.

J.

It is unlawful to own or keep any animal on premises which are not maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. When a chain, rope or other restraint is used to tether an animal, it shall be placed or attached so that it cannot become entangled with the chain of any other animal or with any other object. It shall be affixed by means of a well-fitted collar, and shall be at least four times the length of the animal as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail and shall allow the animal convenient access to food, water and shelter adequate to protect the animal from the elements.

K.

It is unlawful to fail to exhibit upon demand any license, license tag, permit or certification of rabies vaccination to any person authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter or any law relating to the care, treatment and impounding of animals.

L.

It is unlawful to conceal information about the location or ownership of an animal subject to rabies, that an animal control officer has probable cause to believe has bitten or otherwise exposed a person to rabies, with the intent to prevent the quarantine or isolation of that animal by an animal regulation officer.

M.

It is unlawful to violate any order of an animal regulation officer concerning the isolation or quarantine of an animal of a species subject to rabies, that an animal regulation officer has probable cause to believe has bitten or otherwise exposed a person to rabies or after such an order has been issued and is still in effect, to fail to produce the animal upon demand of an animal regulation officer.

N.

It is unlawful for any person to resist, hinder, or obstruct the animal control officer, or any of his/her deputies or employees in the exercise of the animal control officer duties.

O.

It is unlawful for any person or owner in possession thereof to permit any dog to be at large which attacks or worries pedestrians, vehicles, bicycles, or other users of the public areas, roads, streets or highways.

(Ord. 1278 §1, 2003: Ord. 1260 §1(part), 2002)

(Ord. No. 1289, § 2, 6-21-05; Ord. No. 1306, § 1, 4-17-07)