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.
"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.
"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;
(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)