Ordinance 2747CITY OF ALAMEDA ORDINANCE NO.
New Series
2747
AMENDING THE ALAMEDA MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING SUBSECTION
46-4 (OFFICE HOURS) OF SECTION 2-46 (SUPERVISING ANIMA CONTROL
OFFICER) OF CHAPTER II (ADMINISTRATION), AND REPEALING CHAPTERVII (ANIMAL CONTROL) IN ITS ENTIRETY AND REPLACING WITH A
REVISED CHAPTER VII (ANIMAL CONTROL)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Alameda that:
Section 1 The Alameda Municipal Code is hereby amended by
amending subsection 2-46.(Office Hours) of section 2-
(Supervising Animal Control Officer) of Chapter II (Administration)
thereof to read:
2 -46.Office Hours
The Supervising Animal Control Officer or his/her duly
authorized officer shall attend at the public animal shelter , and
the animal shelter shall be open to transact public business at
times to be determined and published by the Chief of Police. The
Supervising Animal Control Officer and the animal shelter shall be
subj ect to the direction and supervision of the City Manager and the
Chief of Police.
Section 2 The Alameda Municipal Code is hereby amended by
repealing Chapter VII (Animal Control) in its entirety.
Section 3 The Alameda Municipal Code is hereby amended by
adding a revised Chapter VI (Animal Control) thereof to read:
CHAPTER VII
ANIMAL CONTROL
ANIMAL SHELTER.
1.1 Establishment.
A public animal shelter is authorized and established,
which animal shelter shall be located at a place to be designated by
resolution of the City Council.
Record of Impounded Animals.
The Supervising Animal Control Officer shall keep a true
and faithful record of the number and description of all animals
taken into his/her custody, with the date of their receipt and the
date and manner of their disposal , with the fees and charges
collected on account of the animals, and the disposition thereof.
The record to be kept by the Supervising Animal Control Officer on
approved forms, which shall be the record of the office of the
Supervising Animal Control Officer. He/she shall also provide
necessary subsistence for all animals while in his/her custody.
1.2
Right to Dispose.
The Supervising Animal Control Officer shall have the
authority to dispose of all animals without an identified owner if
not reclaimed within three (3) days , excluding Sunday, Monday, and
holidays , after impoundment Any animal whose owner or keeper is
identified by a tag attached to the animal may be disposed of after
14 days of notice of availability of the animal to be returned
the owner does not pay for the cost of the seizure and care of the
animal and take posssession of the animal within that time. Underthese circumstances, the animal shall be deemed to have been
abandoned.
1.3
Sale of Impounded Animals and Disposi tion of Proceeds.
The Supervising Animal Control. Officer may sell for cash,
all animals so authorized, as provided in the preceding subsection,
and out of the proceeds of the sale thereof, pay his/her proper fees
and charges, and all reasonable and proper demands made under the
provisions of this Code. Any balance of the proceeds of a sale of
any animal remaining after the payment of such fees, charges, and
demands , shall be paid into the General Fund of the City.
1.4
Reclaiming Animal Before Sale.
Any animal may be reclaimed by the owner or person
entitled to its control before the sale thereof, pursuant to 7-
by paying all fees and charges that have been incurred or accrued up
to the time of reclamation.
1.5
Retaking Animals Improperly Released.
It shall be unlawful for any person to remove any animal
from the custody of any Animal Control Officer or from the animal
shelter without first obtaining authorization for the release of
such animal. The Supervising Animal Control Officer may retake any
animal directly or indirectly conveyed or delivered out of the
1.6
animal shelter without lawful authority and again impound and retain
the same , and proceed as heretofore provided in the same manner as
if the animal had never been released from the animal shelter.
7 -FEES.
7 -
Officer.
Fees to be Charged by Supervising Animal Control
The Supervising Animal Control
fees hereinafter set forth in connection
feeding, caring and removal of animals:
a. Impounding.1. For every dog, the fee shall be set by City Council
Resolution.
Resolution.3. For every horse, mule, ass, bull, ox, cow or calf
pony, the fee shall be set by City Council Resolution.4. For every other animal not otherwise provided for in
this article , the fee shall be set by City Council Resolution.5. Second impounding of same animal within twelve (12)
month period , the fee shall be set by City Council Resolution.6. Third impounding of same animal within twelve (12)
month period , the fee shall be set by City Council Resolution.7. If person I s income is below the li very low income
level established by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban
Development for the Oakland area, there shall be no impounding fee
imposed for first time redemption fees.
I f the owner is unable to pay the
supervisor may determine the disposition
adoption or may be euthanized.b. Feeding/Caring.1. For each dog, the fee shall be set by City Council
Resolution.
Resolution.3. For each horse, mule, ass , bull , ox , cow or calf,
pony, the fee shall be set by City Council Resolution.4. For every other animal not otherwise provided for in
this article, the fee shall be set by City Council Resolution.
c. Adoption.1. Dogs, the fee shall be set by City Council
Resolution.
Officer shall charge the
wi th the impounding and
For every cat, the fee shall be set by City Council
fees the animal control
of the animal and place for
For each cat,the fee shall be set by City Council
2. Puppies , under four (4) months old , the fee shall be
set by City Council Resolution.
3. Cats, over four (4) months old, the fee shall be set
by City Council Resolution.4. Cats, under four (4) months old, the fee shall be set
by City Council Resolution.
d. Spay Neuter Deposit.1. cash deposit shall be required of any person
adopting any unspayedjunneutered dog or cat from the animal shelter.
Any animal over six months of age at the time of adoption shall be
spayed or neutered within 60 days of adoption , or the cash deposit
shall be deemed unclaimed. Any deposit not claimed under this
subdivision, shall be used only for the following purposes:a. public education program to prevent
overpopulation of dogs and cats.b. A program to spay or neuter dogs and cats.c. A follow-up program to assure that animals sold
or given away by the pound or shelter are spayed or neutered.d. Any other additional costs incurred under this
section.2. Public pounds, society for the prevention of cruelty
to animals shelters, and humane shelters may enter into cooperative
agreements with each other and with veterinarians in carrying out
this section.3. This section shall not apply to any person redeeming
his/her own animal.4. The fee shall be set by City Council Resolution.
License Fee.1. For every unlicensed dog or cat impounded, the
prevailing license fee shall be paid prior to releasing the animal
to its owner. The license fee shall be established by resolution of
the City Council.f. Pickup from Private Property.1. For each dog, cat or other small type of animal , the
fee shall be set by City Council Resolution.2. Quarantine Fee (ten (10) days) shall be set by City
Council Resolution.
3 . Miscellaneous small animals under twenty (20) pounds,
the fee shall be set by City Council Resolution.4. Miscellaneous animals over one hundred (100) pounds
the fee shall be set by City Council ResQlution.
Pickup of Dead Animals from Veterinarian.
Fee for pickup of dead animals from veterinarian will
be set by City Council Resolution.h. Disposal of Dead Animals Brought to the Shel ter by
Owners.
1. Licensed dog or cat
Council Resolution.2. Unlicensed
one hundred (100) pounds,
Resolution.
3 . Miscellaneous small animals under twenty (20)
pounds, the fee shall be set by City Council Resolution.
Miscellaneous animals over one hundred (100) pounds
the fee shall be set by City Council Resolution.
Animal Shel ter Clinic Fees.
1 - The fees for vaccinations and other services
provided at animal shelter clinics shall be established by
resolution of the City Council. For any person sixty-two (62) years
of age or older, the fee for a rabies vaccination at animal shelter
clinics shall be fifty (50%) percent of the fee imposed. If such
person s income is below the "very low income" level established by
the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for the
Oakland area , there shall be no fee imposed.
the fee shall be set by City
dog, miscellaneous large animals underthe fee shall be set by City Council
Disposi tion of Fees.
All fees and charges collected by the Supervising Animal
Control Officer shall be paid by him/her into the City Treasury and
placed into the General Fund thereof All revenue derived from cat
and dog license ' fees shall be appropriated for animal shelter
operations.
7 -
7 -Fees a Lien.
All fees levied pursuant to this
seized or impounded animal, and a
thereof.
section shall be a lien
personal charge againstupon the
the owner
DOGS AN CATS
License Fees.
Every person who owns, harbors or has in his/her
possession or control any dog or cat over four (4) months of age
the City shall pay a license fee. The license fee shall be set by
City Council Resolution.
However, the license fee for spayed and neutered dogs or
cats and for dogs and cats owned by citizens who are sixty-two (62)
years of age and older shall be fifty (50%) percent of the license
fee imposed. If such person's income is below the li very low income"
level established by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban
Development for the Oakland area, there shall be no license fee
imposed. No person shall own, keep, harbor or possess any dog or
cat within the corporate limits of the City for which the license
fee imposed by this subsection has not been paid. An additional
fee, set by City Council resolution, shall be charged if the above
mentioned license is not obtained within forty-five (45) days after
the date requiring the license.
Display of License Tag.
It shall be the responsibility of every person who owns,
harbors or possesses any dog or cat over the age of four (4) months
in the City, to ensure that the annual dog or cat license tag issued
by the City is fastened to the collar or leash of a dog, or to the
collar or other device worn by a cat at all times when in a publicplace. The license number and animal shelter telephone number of
(510) 748-4585 may be legibly printed using permanent, indelible ink
on a collar or other device worn by a dog or cat, in lieu of the
license tag.
Right to Duplicate Tag.
Whenever a tag issued for the then current year has been
stolen , or lost, the owner or possessor of the animal for which the
same was issued may, on the payment of three ($3.00) dollars and on
making and subscribing to an affidavit of such loss and filing the
same , receive a duplicate tag for the remaining portion of the then
current year.
Rabies Vaccination Required.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, harboring, or
having the care, custody or possession of any dog or cat over four
(4) months of age to keep or maintain such dog or cat in any place
in the City unless such dog or cat has been vaccinated as required
this Code. All dogs or cats under four (4) months of age shall be
confined to the premises of, or kept under physical restraint by,
the owner, keeper or harborer. Any dog or cat having received its
initial rabies vaccination shall be subject to the same restrictions
as an unvaccinated dog or cat for a period of thirty (30) days from
the date of such initial vaccination.
7 -
No Licensing without Vaccination.
The Supervising Animal Control Officer shall not license
any dog or cat until it has been vaccinated with anti-rabies
vaccine, by inj ection or other method approved by the County Health
Officer, and the owner or person in possession of the dog or cat
submits a Certification of Vaccination from a licensed veterinarian
confirming the approved vaccination of the dog or cat valid for a
period extending at least through the current licensing period. The
effective duration of immunity elicited in dogs and cats shall be
specified by the County Health Officer but shall not in any event
exceed those periods recommended by the California State Department
of Public Health and duly enforced by the California Conference of
Local Health Officers.
Vaccination; Certificate.
The vaccination shall be performed under the direction of
a duly qualified and licensed veterinarian. The person vaccinating
the dog or cat shall issue to the owner or person in possession of
the dog or cat a certificate of vaccination, which shall include a
statement as to the type of anti-rabies vaccine used in vaccinating
the dog or cat.
Every person authorized by State law to administer an
anti-rabies vaccination who offers that service in the City
Alameda will use certificates furnished by the Alameda Animal
Shelter. On a weekly basis, copies of the completed certificates,
showing the name and address of the owner , and other pertinent data
regarding each dog or cat vaccinated during the previous week , willbe picked up from the veterinarians , clinics or other authorized
parties, by the Alameda Animal Shelter. Failure to comply shall
result in a misdemeanor offense with issuance of a citation by an
Animal Control Officer to' the offending veterinarian , clinic or
other authorized party.
Limiting Numer of Dogs.
Except for veterinarian hospitals, kennels animalbreeders, pet shops or other commercial uses operating under a valid
use permit it shall be unlawful for any person, firm
corporation to maintain on any premises owned occupied or
controlled by him/her or it in the City, more than three (3) dogs
over the age of four (4) months. This subsection shall not apply to
persons which currently maintain more than three (3) dogs; however
this exemption is not intended to permit such persons to add or
replace such dogs in excess of three (3).
Leashing.
It shall be unlawful for any person having an interest in
owning, harboring or having in charge , care or control, custody or
possession of any dog to cause or permit such dog to be in , on , or
upon any public street, alley, or other public place, unless such
dog is kept securely fastened by a rope, chain or leash of
sufficient length and strength to maintain control of the animal and
under the supervision of a responsible person, or confined within
the private property of the owner or person having control of the
dog. The leashing requirements, with the exception of those that
apply to potentially dangerous animals in section 7-10.9 (b) (2),
not apply to those areas officially designated by the City as "Dog
Parks or Dog Runs.
Control of Dogs; Control and Removal of Dog Feces.a. It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having
or custody of any dog to permit the animal to stray onto
property of another.b. It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having
control or custody of any dog to permit the animal to defecate upon
the public property of this City or upon the private property of
another unless the person immediately removes the feces and properly
disposes of it, provided, however, that nothing herein contained
authorizes such person to enter upon the private property of another
wi thout permission.c. Visually handicapped persons who use seeing eye
guide dogs are exempt from this law.
control
private
Barking and Howling Dogs.It shall be unlawful in the City to harbor , keep or
maintain any dog or dogs which disturbs the peace and quiet of any
neighborhood or person by persistent or prolonged barking, howling
or making unusual noises. The provisions of this subsection shall
not apply to premises operated as duly licensed pet shops , wherein
dogs are temporarily kept and maintained for purposes of sale , but
the operators of such pet shops shall exercise appropriate means of
reducing the barking, howling and noise making of the dogs. Any
violation of this section shall be deemed a violation of Section 4-
10.5 of the Alameda Municipal Code and subject to the penalties in
Section 4-10.12 of the Alameda Municipal Code.
7 - Care of Female Dog.
No person owning or having possession of any female dog
shall suffer or permit the same to be upon any public street of the
City during the period of oestruation of the dog, unless such dog is
kept securely fastened by a rope, chain or leash not over six (6')
feet in length and under the supervision of a responsible person, or
confined in a vehicle.
Seizure and Disposition of Unleashed Dogs; Redemption.
Every dog found or being in any public street of the City
and not being kept securely fastened by a rope, chain or leash and
under the supervision of a responsible person, or conf ined in a
vehicle, shall be taken by the Supervising Animal Control Officer
to, and impounded in the animal shelter , where it may be redeemed by
7 -
the owner or persons theretofore entitled to the possession of within three (3) days, excluding Sunday, Monday and holidays
reafter , on payment of feed and care charges and upon securing a
rabies vaccination and dog license as required under this Code.
Right of Person to Seize Dog During Oestruation.
In addition to the Supervising Animal Control Officer , any
person may take up any female dog found or being in any public
street of the City during the period of oestruation of the dog, and
not being kept securely fastened by a rope, chain or leash not oversix (6') feet in length and under the supervision of a responsible
person, or confined in any vehicle, and it shall be the duty of such
person to immediately deliver such female dog to the Supervising
Animal Control Officer , who shall give to such person a receipt for
such female dog.
7 -
South Shore Beach
a. Dogs on Sou th Shore Beach Unlawful. It shall be
unlawful for any person owning or having possession of any dog to
suffer or permit the same to be upon any portion of those lands
owned by the City of Alameda, commonly referred to as the South
Shore Beach, and more particularly described as follows:
All of that area bounded on the north by the southern edge
of the bicycle and walking path adj acent to Shoreline Drive, and on
the west by Westline Drive extended, on the east by Versailles
Avenue extended, and on the south by San Francisco Bay.b. Impounding Dogs Found on South Shore Beach. Every
dog being found upon the South Shore Beach , as same is described in
paragraph a., may be taken into custody by the Supervising Animal
Control Officer or any Police Officer and may be transported to and
impounded in the nimal shelter under the same terms and' conditions
as are set out in subsection 7 - 3.12 of this Code, pertaining to
seizure and disposition of unleashed dogs.
7 -
Enforcement Officer.
The Supervising Animal Control Officer, his/her officers
and employees, are hereby declared to have the duty to enforce the
provisions of this chapter and they shall have the power to arrest
any person violating any such provision, in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the Penal Code of California.
7 -
Interference with Officer.
Any person who in any way resists, delays
control officer in the discharge of any
is guilty of a misdemeanor.
or obstructs any
duty of his/heranimal
office
Penal ties.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Code
referred to in the preceding subsection 7-15 shall be deemedguilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be
punished as provided in Section 1-5 of this Code.
Citation for Violations of Animal Control Regulations.
Whenever any person is arrested for a violation of one (1)
or more of the sections of this chapter and such person is not
immediately taken before a Magistrate as the procedure therefor is
prescribed in the Penal Code of California, the Supervising Animal
Control Officer or other arresting officer shall prepare and serve
upon the arrestee a written notice to appear in Court in the form
and manner prov ded in Section 853.6 and following of the Penal
Code.
CHICKENS ETC.
Keeping Chickens and Other Domestic Fowl.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation
to keep on any premises owned, occupied or controlled by him/her or
it in the City, any more than six (6) chickens, ducks , geese,
turkeys or other domestic fowl. Any such fowl shall be kept in an
enclosure , no part of which is within twenty (20') feet of any
dwelling house occupied by human beings, excepting any and all
dwelling houses owned or occupied by such person , firm or corpo-
ration; provided, that any of the fowl may be kept temporarily for
purpose of sale at any shop or place of business where the same are
bought, sold and dealt in. This subsection shall not apply to
persons who at the time of the adoption of this section maintain
more than six (6) domestic fowl, provided that such persons shall
not keep more than twenty (20) domestic fowl and provided that such
persons register the number of birds which they possess with the
animal shelter before April 1, 1983. The animal shelter shall
verify the number.
7 -
Animal Quarters and Yards to be Kept Sani tary.
It shall be unlawful for any person in the City to keep
any animal in any animal quarters, kennel, animal hospital, or yard
which is not at all times kept reasonably clean and sanitary to the
satisfaction of the Health Officer. All above premises shall be
regularly cleaned in order to prevent the accumulation of manure,
animal excrete, excess animal food or other organic matter that may
be a source of odors, or serve as an attractant or breeding place
for insects, rodents or other vermin.
7 -
Conditions Constituting a Public Nuisance.It shall be unlawful and shall constitute a public
nuisance for any person to keep within the City any animal that
unreasonably disturbs the peace and comfort of the inhabitants of
the neighborhood in which such animal is kept or interferes with any
person in the reasonable and comfortable enjoyment of life or
property, or creates significant risk of injury to person or
property
7 -5 COWS.
Leasing of Less Area Prohibited.
No person shall permit any ground in the City owned
leased occupied or controlled by him/her to be used for the
keeping, stabling, feeding, herding, picketing or milking of any cow
or cows in violation of the provisions of the following section.
Limi ting Proximi ty to Residence.
No person shall , in the City, keep any cow or steer or
bull in any cow shed or similar accessory building or cow yard,
within any distance of less than forty (40 I) feet from any. dwelling
house.
7 -HORSES.
Keeping Horses Wi thin Certain Distance of Residence.
No person in the City shall keep any horse, mule or
donkey In any stable , barn stall, shed or similar accessory
building or stable yard wi thin any distance less than forty (40')
feet from any dwelling, schoolhouse or church.
7 -SWINE .
Keeping Swine.
No person in the City shall keep or permit to be kept on
premises owned, occupied or controlled by him/her any swine, unless
the enclosure in which the same are kept is at least three hundred
(300') feet distant from premises owned or occupied by any other
person; and no person shall keep at any place in the City more thanfive (5) head of swine, unless the enclosure where the swine are
kept is equal to one (1) acre to each head of swine.
DEAD ANIMALS.
Disposi tion.
No person shall deposit or place any dead
in the ground, upon the tidelands, in the waters of
Francisco, or any of its estuaries within the City.
animal upon or
the Bay of San
Removal of Dead Animals Found on Public Streets.
It shall be the duty of the Supervising Animal Control
Officer to remove from the pubic streets and sand beaches of the
City any animal found dead thereon.
GENERAL PROVISIONS.
Cruelty to Animals.
No person, in the City,
deprive of food or water , or
shall cruelly beat, torture,
otherwise maltreat any animal.misuse
Grazing on Street or Unfenced Lot.
No person owning or having the control of, or being the
keeper of, any horse, mule, cow, goat , sheep, hog, ass or domestic
fowl , shall permit the same to run at large upon or graze or feed
upon any public street or , unless tethered, upon any unfenced lot in
the City.
Seizure of Trespassing Animals or Fowls.
Any animaJ. or fowl found trespassing upon any private
property in the City may be taken up by any person and committee to
the custody of the Supervising Animal Control Officer.
Use of Animals for Propagation.a. It shall be unlawful for the owner , keeper or person
having possession or control of any stallion, jack or bull, to allow
any such stallion, jack or bull to serve any animal within one
hundred (100') feet of any dwelling house occupied by another than
such person , or in any public street or alley ,or within sight of
the same, or contiguous thereto so that such service be exposed to
the view of any person passing in the street or alley located at the
window of any house adj acent thereto.b. It shall not be lawful for any person to display,
sell, offer for sale, barter or give away any live chicks, rabbits,
ducklings or other fowl as pets or novelties , whether or not dyed
colored, or otherwise artificially treated; provided, however, this
paragraph shall not prohibit the display or sale of natural chicks
rabbits, ducklings or other fowl in proper facilities by dealers,
hatcheries or stores engaged in the business of selling the same to
be raised for food purposes.
Abandonment of Animal.
It shall be unlawful for any owner, keeper,
having possession or control, of any dog or cat willfully
such animal wi thin the Ci ty .
or person
to abandon
prohibi tion of Exotic Pets.
It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain on any
premises owned, occupied or controlled by him/her or it in the City,
any wild or exotic animal, reptile, fish or insect. Animals coming
within the scope of this subsection shall include any "endangered
species,
" "
threatened species," or "candidate species " as defined in
Chapter 1.5 of Division 3 of the California Fish and Game Code or
the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (U.C. section 1531 et.
seq.
) ,
any species listed in California Fish and Game Code section
2118 and collateral regulations (14 Cal Code of Regs. section 671
et. seq.
),
fully protected fish listed in California Fish and Game
Code section 5515, fully protected reptile or amphibian listed in
California Fish and Game Code section 5050, fully protected bird
listed in California Fish and Game Code section 3511, and any
venomous animal whether or not that animal has been renderedharmless. This subsection shall not apply to persons which
currently maintain such animals '. provided that such owner possesses
a valid permit from the California Department of Fish and Game, and
that such animal (s) do not constitute a public nuisance. This
exemption is not intended to permit such persons, firms or
corporations to add, replace or proliferate such individual animals
as are currently maintained by them.
Retaining Animal Without Owers' Consent.
Any person having found or otherwise taken up any stray
domestic animal not belonging to that person, shall, within
twenty-four (24) hours notify the animal shelter of such animals
true description and location, and shall surrender such animal to
any Animal Control Officer or Police Officer upon demand.
Destruction of Impounded Animals.
Any impounded animal which is deemed by the Supervising
Animal Control Officer to be unfit by reason of age, disease, injury
or other traumatic disability, may be humanely destroyed. This sub-
section shall not apply to dogs or any animal bearing owner
identification. However, no uninjured or otherwise healthy animal
may be destroyed wi thin 72 hours of impoundment.
DANGEROUS OR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ANIMALS.
Definitions.
As used in this section:
Dangerous Animal shall mean:a. Any animal, seized under Section 599aa of the Penal
Code and upon the sustaining of a conviction of the owner or keeper
under subdivision (a1 of Section 597.5 of the Penal Code; orb. Any animal which, when unprovoked, in an aggressive
manner, inflicts severe injury on or kills a human being c. Any animal which is determined to be, and is listed
as a potentially dangerous animal and continues to exhibit the
behaviors described in the definition of "potentially dangerous
animal" and is maintained in violation of Section 7-10.
7 -10.
Enclosure shall mean a fence or structure of at least six
(6) feet in height , forming or causing an enclosure sui table
prevent the entry of young children. Such enclosure shall be locked
and designed with secure sides, top and bottom and shall be capable
of preventing the animal from escaping from the enclosure and also
of preventing children from trespassing. In addition, the animal
shall be housed pursuant to Section 597t of the California Penal
Code.
Impounded shall mean taken into the custody of the City
animal shelter.
Person shall mean a
including but not limited to,
trust.
natural person or any legal entity,
a corporation, firm , partnership or
Potentially Dangerous Animal shall mean any animal
that, (1) when unprovoked on two or more separate occasions within
the prior 36 month period, engages in any behavior that requires a
defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the
person and the animal are off the property of the owner or keeper of
the animal; or (2) when unprovoked bites a person causing less than
a severe injurYi or (3) when unprovoked, on two separate occassions
within the past 36 month period, has killed, seriously bitten,
inflicted injury, or otherwise caused injury attacking a domestic
animal off the property of the owner or keeper of the animal.
Provocation shall mean a willful trespass upon the
premises occupied by the owner or keeper of the animal ,or teasing
tormenting, abusing or assaulting the animal or having in the past,
been observed or reported to have teased , abused or assaulted the
animal or committing or attempting to commit a crime.
Severe Injury shall mean any physical injury that results
in death; broken bones; muscle, ligament or tendon tears; a heart
attack;
sutures
requires
disfiguring lacerations; an injury requiring multiple
or corrective or cosmetic surgery; or any other injury that
hospitalization
7 -10.Unlawful to Maintain Dangerous Animals.It shall be unlawful for any person
animal within the City.
maintain
dangerous
7 -10.Impoundmen t .
If any dog while running or being at large in any public
street, lane , alley, public ground or place in the City shall bite
any human being, it shall be the duty of any Police Officer , the
Supervising Animal Control Officer or any of his/her officers, to
impound such dog for observation, as provided in Section 7-11.1 of
this Code. Furthermore, whenever an Animal Control Officer or peaceofficer has reasonable cause to believe that any dog, either
licensed or unlicensed, or any other animal is diseased or
dangerous or potentially dangerous, the impounding officer is hereby
authorized to take custody of such animal and impound the same in a
safe place for such period of time as is required in order toobserve, examine and determine whether or not such animal is
diseased, potentially dangerous or dangerous.
Notice.
Upon impoundment of any animal, or upon a preliminary
determination thai probable cause exists to designate an animal
potentially dangerous or dangerous the Animal Control Officer or
peace officer shall give notice thereof in writing, that a hearing
will be held before the Police Department Animal Shelter Commander
and that the owner of the impounded animal may present evidence as
to why the animal should not be declared diseased or dangerous.
the owner is not present, the notice shall be served on the ownereither personally or by first class mail with return receipt
requested, at the last known address of the person registered as the
owner on the animal's license records.
7 -10.
10.nearing.
The hearing shall be held within ten (10) business days of
impoundment before . the Police Department Animal Shelter Commander.At the hearing, which shall be open to the public, allrelevant evidence may be presented including incident or police
reports and affidavits of witnesses.
The Police Department Animal Shelter Commander shall make
a determination based on the preponderance of the evidence and shall
file written findings within ten (10) business days of the hearing
with the owner or keeper of the animal. The determination and
findings shall be served on the owner either personally or by first
class mail with return receipt requested at the last known address
of the person registered as the owner on the animal's license.
7 -10.Appeal.
If the owner or keeper of the animal contests the
decision, he or she may appeal the decision in writing accompanied
by a fee for filing an appeal of twenty dollars ($20.00), payable to
the Alameda Municipal Court. The appeal shall be filed with the
Alameda Animal Shelter within five days of the receipt of the noticeof decision. Animal Shelter personnel will notify the Alameda
Municipal Court and forward the appropriate information for the
appeal hearing.
The court shall conduct
provisions of the California Food
31622 (b), 31623 and 31624.
hearing according to the
and Agriculture Code Sections
Disposi tion.a. An animal ' determined to be dangerous and
significant threat to the public if released under the procedures
set forth in Sections 7-10.4, 7-10.5, and 7-10.6 may be destroyed by
the animal shelter.b. If it is determined that a dog found to be viciousshall not be destroyed the judicial authority shall impose
conditions upon the ownership of the dog that protect the public
health, safety and welfare.c. Any enclosure
subdivision (b) shall meet the
7 -10.
that is required pursuant
requirements of Section 7-10-
10.Costs.
Owner shall be responsible for all of the City's costs of
housing an animal dete.rmined to be diseased, potentially dangerousor dangerous for the period of impoundment and the cost
euthanizing the animal.
7 -10.
Animal.
Requirements for Maintaining a Potentially Dangerous
a. No potentially dangerous Animal ("PDA"shall be
licensed by the City for any licensing period commencing after
August, 1987, unless the owner or keeper of such PDA shall meet the
following requirements;
1. All animals deemed potentially dangerous must
wear a City of Alameda Dog license at all times whether in public orat home. The license number and animal shelter phone number of
(510) 748 -4585 may be legibly printed using permanent indelible ink
on a collar or other device, in lieu of the license tag.2. The owner or keeper shall display a sign on his
or her premises warning that there is a potentially dangerous animal
on the premises. The sign shall be visible and capable of being
read from the public roadway.3. The owner or keeper shall sign a statementattesting:(a) The owner or keeper shall , on or
to the effective date of such license for which application is
made, have a fenced enclosure for the PDA on the property
the PDA will be kept or maintained.(b) The owner or keeper shall notify the
licensing authority within twenty-four (24) hours if a PDA is on the
loose, is unconfined, has attacked another animal or has attacked a
human, or has died or has been sold or given away. If the PDA has
been sold or given away the owner or keeper shall , within two days,provide the City's Supervising Animal Control Officer, in writing,
with the name, address and telephone number of the new owner of the
PDA.
prior
being
where
as follows:
A potentially dangerous animal shall be restrained
1. When unsupervised by a secure enclosure;2. In public places by a sufficiently heavy metal,
letter or canvas leash not longer than 6 feet in length controlled
by an adult familiar with the animal and by a muzzling device
sufficient to prevent the potentially dangerous animal from biting
human beings or other animals;3. The owner shall display a sign on his or her
premises warning that there is a potentially dangerous animal on the
premises. Said sign shall be visible and capable of being read from
the public roadway.
10.Attack by Potentially Dangerous Animal.
It shall be a misdemeanor for an owner of a potentially
dangerous animal to leave the animal unrestrained so that the animal
is able to attack, chase or menace someone and in fact does so.
Owner Failure to Appear.
The Supervising Animal Control Officer or
Officer may make a determination and findings even
fails to appear at the hearing and/or appear.
10.
Police
if the
Staff
owner
Removal from List of Potentially Dangerous Animals.If there are no additional instances of the behavior
described in section 7-10.1 within a 36-month period from the date
of designation as a potentially dangerous animal , the animal shall
be removed from the list of potentially dangerous animals. The
animal may, but is not required to be, removed from the list of
potentially dangerous animals prior to the expiration of the 36-
month period if the owner or keeper of the animal demonstrates tothe animal control department that changes in circumstances or
measures taken by the owner or keeper, such as training of the
animal, have mitigated the risk to the public safety.
10.
Owership of Dangerous Animals Prohibited.
The owner of a animal determined to be a dangerous animal
may be prohibited from owning, possessing, controlling, or having
custody of any animals for a period of up to three years, when it is
found , after proceedings conducted under Sections 7-10., 7-10.5 and
7 -10.6, that ownership or possession of an animal by that person
would create a significant threat to the public health, safety and
welfare.
10.
7 -11 DISEASED ANIMALS RAIES.
Quarantine of Biting Animals.
Whenever it is shown that any dog or other animal has
bitten any person or animals or exhibits evidence of rabies, no
owner or person having custody or possession thereof I upon order of
the Alameda County Health Officer, shall fail, refuse or neglect to
quarantine such animal and keep it tied up or confined for a periodof ten (10) days in the case of cats and dogs, or fourteen (14) days
in the case of other animals, or shall fail, refuse or neglect to
allow the Alameda County Health Officer or his/her deputies to make
an inspection or examination thereof at any time during such period.
No such dog or animal shall be removed or released during the
quarantine period without written permission of the Health Officer
or his/her deputies.
Unless otherwise specified by the Health Officer,shall be confined in the City animal shelter or
hospital at the owner's expense.
7 -11.
such animals
veterinary
11.Presentation of Documents Required Upon Demand.It shall be the responsibility of any person owning,
harboring or maintaining any animal which has bitten or otherwise
attacked any person or animal or which has been exposed to a rabid
or suspected rabid animal to furnish proof of rabies vaccination and
applicable license documents to any Animal Control Officer or Police
Officer upon demand.
7 -11. 3 Animals Dying While Under Isolation.
Depending on the background circumstances, the head of an
dying while under isolation shall, upon order of the County
Officer, be submitted to the laboratory of the Alameda County
Care Services Agency for an examination for rabies.
animal
Heal th
Heal th
7 -11.Duty of Custodian of Dog Showing SYmptoms of Rabies.
Whenever the owner or person having the custody or
possession of any animal shall observe or learn of rabies, or has
acted in a manner which would lead a reasonable man to a suspicion
that it might have rabies , such owner or person having custody or
possession of such animal shall immediately notify the Health
Officer or his/her representative, and shall allow the Health
Officer or his/her representative to make an inspection or exam-
ination of such animal and to quarantine such animal until it shall
be established to the satisfaction of the Official that such animal
has or has not rabies.
7 -11. 5 Knowledge of Bite; Duty to Report.
Whenever any person having charge, care, control, custody,
or possession of any animal has knowledge that such animal has
bitten any person , the person having charge, care, control, custody,or possession of such animal shall report such fact to the
Supervising Animal Control Officer. The report shall state the name
and address of the person bitten, and the time and place where such
person was bitten, and any other information so requested by the
Supervising Animal Control Officer. A copy of the report shall be
forwarded to the Alameda County Health Officer within forty-eight
(48) hours.
7 -11.Duty of Custodian of an Animal Bitten by a Known Rabid or
Suspec ted Rabid Animal.
Whenever any person having charge, care, control , custody,
or possession of any animal of a species subj ect to rabies has
knowledge that such animal has been bitten by a known rabid or
suspected rabid animal or has been in intimate contact with a rabid
or suspected rabid animal, the person having charge, care, control,
custody or possession of such animal shall report such fact to the
Supervising Animal Control Officer. The report shall give a
description of the animal bitten as well as the biting animal and
the time and place the animal was bitten, as well as other informa-
tion requested by the Supervising Animal Contru l Officer. A copy
the report shall be forwarded to the Alameda County Health Officer
within forty-eight (48) hours. Upon learning that his/her animal
has been bitten by a known rabid animal or suspected rabid animal
no owner or person having custody or possession of the bitten animal
upon order of the Alameda County Health Officer shall fail , refuse
or neglect to quarantine the animal in a place and manner approved
by the Health Officer or his/her deputies for a period of six (6)
months or destroy the animal with the following exception in the
case of dogs and cats. If the dog or cat has been vaccinated
against rabies within two (2) years but not less than thirty (30)
days, the dog or cat may' be revaccinated in a manner prescribed by
the County Health Officer and quarantined in a place and manner
approved by the County Health Officer for a period of thirty (30)days. The County Health Officer or his/her deputies shall
allowed to make an inspection or examination thereof at any time
during the quarantine period. No such animal shall be removed or
released during the quarantine period without written permission of
the Health Officer or his/her deputies. Unless otherwise specified
by the ?ealth Officer, such animal shall be confined in the Animal
Shelter o a veterinary hospital at the owner s expense.
7 -11. 7
Exists.
Transportation of Dogs from District in Which Rabies
No person shall bring a dog into the City from any part of
any country in which rabies has been known to exist within six (6)
months previously, except upon the written permission of the City
Health Officer, and such permission is to be granted only if the
Health Officer is convinced that the dog, whenever in this City
during a subsequent period of six (6) months, will be confined or
muzzled.
Section 4 This ordinance shall be in
from and after the expiration of thirty (30)
its final passage.
full force and effect
days from the date of
Attest:
rf:eJ!
I, the undersigned hereby certify that the foregoing
Ordinance was duly and regularly adopted and passed by the Council
of the City of Alameda in regular meeting assembled on the 4th
day of November , 1997 , by the following vote to wit:
AYES:Councilmembers Daysog, DeWitt
Lucas and President Appezzato
Kerr
NOES:None.
ABSENT:None.
ABSTENTIONS:None.
IN WITNESS , WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
official seal of said City this 5th day of November , 1997.
Dian ' Felsch , City
City of Alameda