Except as otherwise provided in Chapter 6.32 of this title, and unless the context otherwise requires, the terms used in this title are defined as follows:
"Animal"
means, but is not limited to, domestic or wild birds, poultry, fowl, fish, reptiles, marsupials, and all other nonhuman mammals and non-mammals of any kind.
"Animal compliance officer"
means the person(s) or agency authorized by this title, by resolution of the city council, by the city manager, or by contract to implement or enforce any or all of this title.
"Animal shelter"
means any animal shelter, temporary animal shelter, or animal services vehicle owned or operated by the city, or any person(s) or entity(ies) on behalf of the city, under contract to the city; or any other facility designated as an animal shelter by resolution of the city may be referred to as an animal shelter.
"Animal regulation department"
means the person(s) or agency designated by resolution of the city council, the city manager, or by contract to perform the duties and assume the responsibilities of the city animal compliance program and/or county or state authority regarding animals as authorized by this title, or applicable state law.
"Bovine animal"
means any animal of the genus Bos, such as, but not limited to, an ox, cow, steer, or bull.
"Director of the animal regulation department" or "department director"
means the person(s) or agency designated by this code, by resolution of the city council, by the city manager, or by contract to exercise duties and authority given under this title to the director of the animal regulation department.
"Diseased or injured animal"
means any animal not suspected of rabies that is apparently diseased, sick, injured, disabled, infirm, or crippled.
"Harbors"
means when a person feeds or shelters an animal.
"Hearing officer"
means the person(s) or agency authorized by this title, resolution of the city council, or by contract to conduct a hearing under this title on behalf of the city.
"Household pet"
means dogs, cats, canaries, parrots, and other domestic animals and birds usually and ordinarily maintained in or around a residence for the enjoyment of the owner, and if such animal is permitted by the city zoning ordinance.
"Keep" or "keeper"
means to have, or the person who has, possession, custody, charge, or control of an animal.
"Livestock"
means and includes animals, including, but not limited to, fowl, horses, ponies, mules, burros, asses, jacks and jennies, cattle, cows, bulls, calves, heifers, sheep, goats, swine, hogs, pigs, llamas, emu, ostriches, bovine animals, all other farm animals, and all other domesticated animals excluding dogs and cats.
"Owner" or "to own"
means a person(s) who has legal title to the animal, has the legal right to possession and use of the animal within the meaning of Civil Code Section 654, or is deemed to be the owner in accordance with Section 6.08.090 of this code, because that person has been the finder and keeper of a stray domestic animal that has not been claimed within 30 days.
"Peace officer"
means a peace officer as that term is defined in Penal Code Section 830.1.
"Run at large" or "running at large"
means when an animal is upon private property without the permission of the person owning or occupying the property, or when it is upon public property and is not on a leash and not under the immediate control of a responsible person capable of controlling such animal.
"Shelter director"
means the person(s) or agency designated by this title, by resolution of the city council, by the city manager, or by contract to exercise duties and authority of the shelter director under this title.
"Wild animal" or "exotic animal"
means an animal that is wild by nature and not customarily domesticated in Ventura County. This definition does not include birds, small rodents, or small nonpoisonous reptiles commonly used for educational or experimental purposes or as pets.
(Ord. 504 § 2, 2022)
It is the duty of the shelter director to keep or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of:
A. 
All cats, dogs, or livestock licensed, impounded, or sold;
B. 
All animal bite cases reported and the results of the investigations thereof;
C. 
All moneys received.
(Ord. 504 § 2, 2022)
If rates and fees for services rendered by the shelter director are not designated by state law or in this code, then the city shall establish the rates and charges by resolution. However, a resolution of the city council on rates and charges for services rendered by the shelter director supersedes a resolution of the board of supervisors on that same subject.
(Ord. 504 § 2, 2022)
In any prosecution for a violation of any provision of this title, the burden of producing evidence to establish any of the exemptions provided herein shall, in the first instance, be upon the defendant.
(Ord. 504 § 2, 2022)
A. 
A violation of this title or any failure to comply with any requirement thereof, or any permit or license issued under this title, shall, in the sole discretion of the city by and through the city attorney or other authorized personnel, be prosecuted in any manner provided for by law, including, but not limited to, the administrative, civil or misdemeanor criminal prosecution of the offender (subject to the city's sole and absolute discretion to reduce the same to an infraction or administrative civil complaint) and as provided for in any chapter of this title and in Title 1, Chapter 1.10, Chapter 1.12 and Chapter 1.16 of this code.
B. 
Any person in violation of this title or who fails to comply with any requirement thereof, and/or state and federal laws shall be and the same is hereby declared to be unlawful and a public nuisance. The city attorney may, in addition to the penalties proscribed in this section, commence an action or actions, proceeding or proceedings for the abatement, removal, or enjoinment thereof, in any manner provided by law.
C. 
Any person who violates any provision of this title or any permit or license issued under this title shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any such violation is committed, continued, or permitted.
D. 
The remedies and penalties provided in this section and title, and each chapter thereof, are cumulative and in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity.
(Ord. 504 § 2, 2022)
A. 
It is the duty of the department director, shelter director, animal compliance officer, and/or any other person authorized by the city manager, by resolution of the city council or by contract to enforce the provisions of this title.
B. 
In addition to such other authority as may be provided by law, the department director, his or her deputies, the shelter director, his or her deputies, animal compliance officers, and such other persons authorized by city council resolution or by contract are designated as public officers and are authorized to make arrests according to Penal Code Section 836.5 (and as it may be amended) for the purpose of enforcing and carrying out provisions of this title. The shelter director and deputies that the shelter director may designate, or such other persons authorized by city council resolution or by contract, are further authorized to carry and use weapons and tranquilizer while actually engaged in the performance of their duties.
(Ord. 504 § 2, 2022)