An owner or custodian of an animal deemed dangerous shall comply
with the following requirements:
(a) Confinement,
Generally. The owner shall confine the dangerous animal within a building
or secure enclosure, as further described in this chapter and subject
to the exceptions described in this chapter.
(b) Muzzle
and Leash. A dangerous animal may be permitted off the premises only
if it is securely muzzled and leashed on a non-retractable leash not
to exceed four feet in length and under the control of a person eighteen
years of age or older, and who is physically capable of restraining
the animal. Said leash must be capable of restraining four times the
weight of the animal. For dangerous animals, the leash must be attached
to an escape-proof commercial quality walking harness which fastens
securely across the shoulders and mid-chest encompassing the rib area
and upper abdomen of the dog. No collar of any type or material will
be sufficient to satisfy the above requirements. Dangerous animals
shall not be leashed or tethered at any time to inanimate objects
such as trees, posts, or buildings. The muzzling device for dangerous
dogs must be constructed so that it is impossible for the dog to remove
it without human assistance.
(c) Signage. In addition to subsection
(a) above, a sign advising of the presence of a dangerous animal shall be posted at the entrance to every place wherein any such dangerous animal is confined. The sign shall be approved by the animal control officer and capable of being understood by a child.
(d) Transportation.
Transportation of dangerous animals shall only be in locked animal
carriers equivalent in construction quality to those used by commercial
air carriers. No dangerous animal shall be left unconfined nor unattended
in or about any motor vehicle.
(e) Confinement Standards. Dangerous animals shall be kept securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed escapeproof locked kennel or pen other than when on a leash as provided in subsection
(b) of this section.
(1) Dangerous animals kept indoors in a house, apartment, building or
similar structure shall be allowed only where the windows and doors
of said structure are secured to prevent any such animal from exiting
without the assistance of the owner or custodian.
(2) Dangerous animals kept outdoors shall be confined in a kennel, pen
or structure that must have secure sides and a secure top attached
thereto. The kennel or pen shall be constructed in a manner so that
it cannot be broken down by any action of the confined animal. All
structures used for confinement of dangerous animals must be locked
with a key or combination lock of sufficient strength to ensure confinement
of said animals. Such structures must be erected upon a secure bottom
or floor constructed of concrete or other material sufficient to prevent
the animal from digging free. Sides of the structure shall be imbedded
not less than two feet into the ground behind a solid fence not less
than six feet in height.
(f) Insurance.
The owner shall maintain a public liability insurance policy from
an insurer licensed to practice in the state of California, in a single
incident amount of not less than three hundred thousand dollars plus
five thousand dollars for nofault medical payments for each dangerous
animal, for injury to or death of any person or persons, or loss or
damage to any property, caused by or resulting from any act of such
animal. The public liability insurance amount can be satisfied with
one single policy or a combination of policies wherein the primary
policy is either a homeowners, renters, or animal liability policy
and the secondary policy is an umbrella policy, excess policy, or
both. The owner shall provide written notice to the administrator
of any cancellation or material change in the insurance within five
days of receipt of notice from the insurer. In case of such a cancellation
or material change, the owner, at the time of the written notice to
the administrator, shall also provide the administrator a written
assurance stating that the person will obtain other insurance to meet
the requirement of this section. If no alternate insurance can be
obtained before the previous insurance policy lapses, the owner must
remove the animal from the city, or otherwise dispose of the dog in
a manner prescribed by law. The owner shall notify the administrator
of the removal or disposition of the animal due to lapsed insurance.
(g) Notification.
The owner or custodian of a dangerous animal shall notify the administrator
prior to moving, selling, transferring, or otherwise disposing of
the animal, or when the dangerous animal is at large, has committed
an attack or act of aggression on any person or animal, or has died.
(h) The
owner shall adhere to all other requirements reasonably established
by the animal control officer or administrator to ensure the health,
safety and welfare of the public.
(Ord. 3146-19 § 1)
It is unlawful for an owner or custodian of any animal known
by such person to be dangerous to cause or permit the animal to run
loose about the person's premises in a manner endangering any
person lawfully entering such premises, or cause or permit the animal
to be unrestrained upon or about any public street, sidewalk, park,
schoolyard, or private property of other persons.
For purposes of this section, lawful entry to a premises includes,
but is not limited to, entry made by a person in the performance of
any duty imposed upon that person by the laws of this state or any
city or county or by the laws or postal regulations of the United
States, or when that person is on such property by reason of accident
beyond control, or disaster, or by invitation either expressed or
implied.
(Ord. 3146-19 § 1)
Upon demand by an animal control officer or administrator, the
owner or custodian shall exhibit such animal and its license if required
by this title.
(Ord. 3146-19 § 1)