This chapter is adopted for the following purposes:
A. Require
that all dogs boarded and kept within the City limits are annually
registered and licensed with the City.
B. Require
all registered and licensed dogs to display a valid dog license tag
issued annually by the City which helps identify and facilitate the
return of a stray registered dog to its owner and also provide a visual
assurance that the dog has a current anti-rabies vaccination.
C. Require
that no dogs are allowed to "run at large" at any time and must always
be under the immediate control of owner.
D. Authorize the seizure and impounding of dogs found running at large and also provide for the animal to be held, to the extent possible, for the specified periods required by California Food and Agriculture Code Sections 31108, 31752, 31752.5 and 31754, as amended or added by Chapter 752 of the Statutes of 1998 to allow the dog to be claimed by the owner before the dog is euthanized or otherwise disposed as prescribed in Section
6.04.120.
E. Define
violations of this chapter as infractions.
F. Such
other purposes as may be authorized by law.
"Animal Control Officer"
as used in this chapter means the Chief of Police and any
police officer(s) designated by the Police Chief to administer and
enforce the provisions of this chapter. In addition, the Chief of
Police may also authorize other City employees to act as an animal
control officer with the approval of the City Manager.
“Dog license"
as used herein, refers to a license issued annually by the
City for each individual dog kept within the City limits after it
has been registered and all fees paid.
“Dog license tag"
or "dog tag" or "tag" as used herein, refers to the physical
identification label that serves as tangible evidence that a dog license
has been issued by the City.
"Owner"
as herein used shall be construed to include any person who
owns or controls or harbors or keeps in his or her possession, any
dog over the age of four months.
Whether or not a dog is licensed under this chapter, it is unlawful
and an infraction for any person to cause or permit or allow any dog
or dogs owned, harbored, or controlled or kept by him or her to do
any of the following:
A. To roam
or run or stray away from the premises where the same is or are owned,
harbored, or kept, at any time, except under and in the custody and
control of the owner or some responsible person thereunto by the owner
duly authorized.
B. To annoy,
alarm, harass, or threaten the safety or well being of any person,
or prevent the comfortable enjoyment and use of any public sidewalk,
street, alley, or public meeting place within the City.
C. To trespass
or go upon any private property after such person has been notified
by the owner or occupier of such private property that such owner
or occupier does not want such dog or dogs to trespass or go upon
such private property.
D. To be
in the City unattended unless such dog is securely enclosed in a pen,
a fenced yard, or other enclosure, or is securely tethered.
It is declared a nuisance and it is unlawful to keep, maintain,
or permit on any parcel, lot, or piece of land any dog or dogs which
by any sound, smell or cry should unreasonably disturb the peace of
any neighborhood, or interfere with any person or prevent the reasonable
and comfortable enjoyment of life or property.
All dogs under four months of age shall be confined to the premises of, or kept under physical restraint by the owner, keeper or harborer, and such restraint shall continue until a period of 30 days has elapsed after vaccination of the particular dog with an approved anti-rabies vaccine in accordance with Chapter
6.12 and amendments thereto; and any violation of this section is unlawful and is an infraction.
The City Council will establish a schedule of fees, penalties,
and fines by resolution which may be amended from time to time by
the City Council.
Any person having the custody and control of any certified "seeing
eye" or "special assistance" dog may file a one-time affidavit with
the City's Business Office. The affidavit shall contain the name and
address of the person, the required description of the dog, and the
statement "I am disabled and need the services of a 'seeing eye' or
'special assistance' dog." The applicant must deliver the affidavit
and a current anti-rabies vaccination certificate to the City Business
Office. The license application will be endorsed as a "seeing-eye"
or "special assistance" dog, and the City will issue the annual dog
license and dog tags at no charge to the applicant.
The owner, or person having the control of any dog, as provided
herein, shall securely attach the license tag to the dog's collar
to be continuously displayed to provide visual assurance that the
dog has a valid anti-rabies vaccination.
All dogs licensed by the City must be vaccinated for rabies
and have a current anti-rabies vaccination certification issued by
a licensed veterinarian and the immunity period on the vaccination
certificate must be valid to at least the expiration of the license.
Any violation of any provision of this chapter is hereby declared
to be an infraction, and any person, upon conviction of said infraction,
shall be punished in accordance with the penalties for infractions
as provided for by the State of California Penal Code.
The Animal Control Officer and assigned deputies are hereby
empowered and have the duty to issue citations to the person or persons
responsible for any violation of any provision of this chapter in
accordance with California Penal Code Sections 853.5 and 853.6.
The City may enter into an agreement or agreements with other
qualified persons or entities, public or private, for the impoundment
of dogs at facilities located within or without the City limits of
Blue Lake, as the City deems necessary and proper to carry out the
intents and purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to,
the transfer, holding, impoundment, sale or destruction of dogs, and
for the sale of Blue Lake dog licenses, record keeping, collection
of fees, accounting, and the payment of reasonable sums of money for
such services. All procedures of such contracting parties not inconsistent
with this chapter shall apply.