As used in this title, the following terms are defined:
"Altered"
for a female, means having been spayed; for a male means having been neutered.
"Animal"
means any living vertebrate member of the animal kingdom, excluding man.
"Animal control officer"
means any person designated by the state of California, Kings County or designated by the city of Hanford as an animal control officer whose purpose is the enforcing of animal control laws and regulations.
"Animal shelter"
means any facility operated by a humane society, municipal agency, or its authorized agents for the purpose of impounding or caring for animals held under the authority of this title or state law and designated by the city council for city pound services.
"At large"
means off the premises of the person owning or having the possession, charge, custody, or control of the animal and not under the immediate control of a person by means of an enclosure, leash, rope, or other means of immediate effective physical control.
"Breeder"
means any person, persons or business who breeds one or more litters of dogs and/or cats.
"Cat"
means any member of the feline family, wild or domesticated, and shall be intended to mean both male and female.
"Chicken"
means a female gallus domesticus. This definition does not include any bird listed under "fowl."
"Chicken coop"
means an enclosed structure with four walls and a roof, for housing chickens that provides shelter from the elements.
"Chicken run"
means an enclosed outside yard for keeping chickens.
"Circus"
means a commercial variety show featuring animal acts for public entertainment.
"Commercial animal establishment"
means any pet shop, grooming shop, auction, riding school or stable, zoological park, circus, performing animal exhibit, boarding kennel, or any other business that keeps animals for commercial purposes.
"Dog"
means any member of the canine family, wild or domesticated, and shall be intended to mean both male and female.
"Domestic animals"
means animals such as are habituated to live in or about the habitations of persons or such as to contribute to the support of a family or the wealth of the community.
"Exotic animal"
means any animal, either wild or domesticated, belonging by nature or origin to another part of the world.
"Feral cat"
means an unowned free-roaming cat that is partially socialized or unsocialized to humans and tends to resist contact with humans
"Fowl"
means any rooster, duck, goose, turkey, guinea, pigeon, swan, peacock or other fowl but does not include chickens.
"Impoundment"
means the taking up and confinement of any animal in an animal shelter, veterinary hospital, or other facility.
"Litter"
means two or more offspring from the same female dog or cat.
"Livestock"
means any large animal kept or raised for use, pleasure or profit.
"Multi-pet permit"
means the permit required if any person or entity other than a commercial animal establishment, non-profit animal establishment, or veterinary hospital keeps a number of animals that exceeds the limits identified herein below.
"Non-profit animal establishment"
means a non-profit, tax-exempt entity dedicated to animal protection that keeps animals within the city for non-profit purposes.
"Owner"
means any person, partnership, firm or corporation owning, keeping or harboring one or more animals. An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for three consecutive days or more.
"Performing animal exhibition"
means any spectacle, display, act, or event other than circuses, in which performing animals are used.
"Person"
means any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, joint venture or entity.
"Pet"
means any animal kept for pleasure rather than utility.
"Pet shop"
means any person, partnership, firm or corporation, whether operated separately or in connection with another business enterprise that buy, sell, or board any species of animal.
"Premises"
means a house, other dwelling, yard or other area or an automobile so enclosed as to prevent a dog from escaping.
"Private property"
means that property of which a person or persons has the exclusive right of disposition.
"Public nuisance"
means, for the purposes of this Title 6:
A. 
Any animal or animals which:
1. 
Molests passersby or chases passing vehicles;
2. 
Attacks other animals;
3. 
Trespasses on school grounds;
4. 
Is repeatedly at large;
5. 
Damages private or public property;
6. 
Barks, whines, or howls in an excessive or untimely fashion as described in Chapter 6.08.
B. 
An owner allowing his/her animal to: (1) defecate on property not owned by the animal owner without immediately cleaning or removing the excrement to a proper receptacle; or (2) urinate on property not owned by an animal owner that causes damage to such property, including, without limitation, damage to grass.
C. 
Unsanitary conditions on any premises where the animal is kept which causes foul odor, attracts flies or vermin or otherwise threatens the public safety or health.
D. 
Any other condition or event identified in this Title 6 or by other legal authority as a nuisance.
"Public place"
means any park, public building, playground, street, road, alleyway, or any other place open to the general public.
"Restraint"
means a leash not in excess of eight feet, a tethered lead, or a fenced enclosure which keeps the animal under the control of a responsible person or within the real property limits of its owner.
"Rooster"
means a male gallus domesticus.
"Stray cat"
means any cat whose owner or keeper from time to time allows the cat to run free off of the property of the owner or keeper.
"Trap, neuter, and return"
means the process of humanely trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating for rabies, ear tipping and returning feral or stray cats to their original location.
"Veterinary hospital"
means any establishment maintained and operated by a licensed veterinarian for surgery, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of animals.
"Vicious animal"
means any animal, wild or domesticated, that attacks or bites any person or animal upon any public or private property within the city.
"Wild animal"
means any non-domesticated animal living in a feral state.
(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)
Animal shelters shall be designated by the city council, and may be a person, firm, association, or corporation. The animal shelter shall serve for such period of time and receive such compensation as shall be established by the city council by ordinance, resolution or by contract. If an association or corporation is appointed as an animal shelter, each officer and employee authorized by such association or corporation to perform duties under this title shall be deemed to be an animal shelter and shall have all of the rights and duties of the animal shelter which are set forth in this title.
(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)
The animal shelter shall keep a record of every animal impounded pursuant to this title, which shall include a description of the animal, the date of receipt, the date and manner of disposal, the name of the person redeeming or purchasing, and the fees, charges and proceeds of sales received on account of said animal, and such additional records as may be required by the city council from time to time.
(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)
The animal control officer shall take up, impound and safely keep any animal which is found running at large contrary to the provisions of this title within the incorporated territory of the city.
(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)
For the purpose of discharging the duties imposed by this chapter or other applicable law and to enforce the same, the animal control officer or any peace officer may enter upon private property, except dwellings located thereon, as follows:
A. 
When in pursuit of any animal which he has reasonable cause to believe is subject to impoundment pursuant hereto or other applicable law;
B. 
To impound or place in isolation any animal thereon which he has any cause whatsoever to believe or suspect has rabies or is a biting animal;
C. 
To inspect or examine animals isolated thereon pursuant hereto or other applicable law.
Such entry shall occur in a manner consistent with state and federal constitutional provisions. As a condition of the authority set forth in this section, except where time does not permit in an emergency or when in fresh pursuit, before entering upon private property a reasonable effort shall be made to locate the owner or possessor thereof to request permission to enter upon such property and to explain the purpose for such entry. When possible and practical, entry onto property should be made during the daylight hours.
(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)
It is unlawful for any person to hinder, obstruct or interfere with the animal shelter or animal control officer in the performance of his/her official duties.
(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)
The duties of the animal control officer shall be as follows:
A. 
To take up and impound any dog or other animals, found to be running at large, staked, tied or being herded or pastured in any public place within the city or upon the premises of any person other than the owner of such dog or other animal;
B. 
To make a complete registry of impounded dogs and cats, showing in detail in the case of each animal, the date of receipt, the breed, color, and sex of such animal, and if licensed, the number of such license and the name and address of owners;
C. 
To notify by mail the owner of any animal, bearing identification, impounded by the animal control officer, stating that such animal is confined at the designated animal shelter, and specify the amount necessary to reclaim or redeem the same and the period which the animal will be held before destroying or otherwise disposing of the same.
D. 
To satisfy all other animal control officer duties identified in this Title 6.
(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)
A. 
Pursuant to Corporations Code Section 14503, as may be amended, employees or designees of the city, whether by contract or appointment, are authorized to enforce any and all provisions of this title relating to the control of animals and are given all powers and authorities as animal control officers of the city. Such authority includes the right to issue notices to appear in court and to take formal citizen complaints on behalf of the city. The authority of such employees is limited to the corporate limits of the city.
B. 
Each animal control officer shall have and is vested with the authority of a public officer according to Penal Code Section 836.5. The animal control officers may, in the performance of their duties, enter upon any property pursuant to law to ascertain if any of the provisions of this title or any state laws relating to disease, care, treatment or cruelty to animals are being violated. Each animal control officer may issue citations for the violation of the provisions of this title, any state law, or city ordinance in the manner prescribed by the ordinance, and remove animals from said premises if they deem necessary. The authority to issue citations in the manner prescribed by the city shall be alternative to any other authority provided by law.
C. 
Any animal control officer of the city shall have police powers in the enforcement of this title and no person shall interfere with, hinder, molest or abuse any animal control officer of the city in the exercise of such powers.
D. 
In the performance of duties for the control of animals, the animal control officer shall have the authority to employ the use of a tranquilizer gun or other animal control devices in common use within the state of California.
(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)
Except as otherwise provided herein, any person violating any provision of this title shall be deemed guilty of an infraction in accordance with Government Code Section 36900, subject to penalties as passed by resolution of the city council. In addition to or in lieu of such penalties, the city may impose any criminal, civil, and/or other penalties authorized by statute, regulation, or other legal authority, including, without limitation, this municipal code, for violation of this title.
(Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)