There is hereby established an Animal Services and Control Shelter in the City, to be located at such place as the Council shall, from time to time, select.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
Any person who shall interfere with, oppose, or resist any Animal Services and Control Officer while engaged in performing any duty imposed by the provisions of this chapter or any other law of the City, or who shall, without the permission of the Animal Services and Control Officer, remove or take away any animal from the Animal Shelter, or remove any fence, bar, or barrier or open any gate for the purpose of enabling any animal to escape from the Animal Shelter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
No person shall keep or maintain any hog pen or pig sty within the City. No person shall keep or maintain in pens, sties, or otherwise any live hogs within the City longer than may be necessary for shipment, which in no event shall be more than twenty-four (24) hours.
(a) 
Unless a permit has been obtained to operate a kennel, it shall be unlawful to own or keep at any dwelling more than three (3) dogs older than four (4) months and more than three (3) cats older than six (6) weeks.
(b) 
No person shall cause or allow any dog or cat owned, harbored, or kept within the City of Turlock to breed without first obtaining a Breeder Certificate from Animal Services and Control.
(963-CS, Amended, 03/30/2001; 1003-CS, Amended, 06/26/2003; 1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
(a) 
No person shall keep or maintain a domestic animal except as hereinafter specified:
(1) 
Four (4) rabbits or hares; and
(2) 
Six (6) domesticated fowl; and
(3) 
Six (6) chinchillas, hamsters, or white mice or similar animals (combined total); and
(4) 
One (1) potbellied pig; and
(5) 
On parcels of land one-half (1/2) acre or larger, one (1) horse, or one (1) cow, or one (1) sheep, or one (1) goat.
(b) 
Facilities for domestic animals shall be subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
Stables or barns shall not be located within one hundred feet (100') of a residential dwelling located on an adjacent property;
(2) 
Pens or other quarters for animals or fowl shall be kept or maintained only at a distance of twenty feet (20') from the rear property line and twenty-five feet (25') from the side property line.
(c) 
It shall be unlawful to own or keep at any residence any rooster.
(963-CS, Added, 03/30/2001; 1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
No person shall keep or maintain within the City, as the same is now or may hereafter be constituted, any stand of bees, except in conjunction with an existing agricultural operation.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having the care, custody, control, or possession of chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, or other domestic fowl to permit any such chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, or other domestic fowl to run at large within the corporate limits of the City or to be herded in any street, alley, or other public place, either in the daytime or nighttime.
It shall be the duty of Animal Services and Control Officers to use best efforts to identify the owner of any fowl running at large or herded in violation of the provisions of this article. In the event that an owner cannot be identified, Animal Services and Control Officers may seize and impound the fowl.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
Animal Services and Control Officers, after seizing and impounding any chicken, goose, duck, turkey, or any other domestic fowl, shall keep the same for five (5) days. Such impounded fowl may be claimed within five (5) days if the costs and charges are paid as specified in this chapter.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the contrary, it shall be lawful to possess or own one (1) potbellied pig in the City of Turlock that meets all of the following requirements:
(a) 
There is only one (1) potbellied pig at any one (1) residence, establishment or dwelling;
(b) 
Such potbellied pig does not exceed a height of twenty inches (20") at the shoulder or weigh more than one hundred (100) pounds;
(c) 
Such potbellied pig shall be kept securely enclosed in a room, pen or other enclosure or such potbellied pig shall be kept securely tethered by a chain or cable and attached to a harness made for the purpose of holding potbellied pigs. No person owning, or having care, custody, or control or possession of any potbellied pig shall suffer or allow or permit such potbellied pig to run, be, or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square or other public place, or upon private property other than the property of the owner or custodian of such potbellied pig without the consent of the owner of such property, within the corporate limits of the city; and all potbellied pigs may be deemed running at large within the meaning of this section unless securely tethered or on a leash and harness of sufficient strength as to prevent it being broken;
(d) 
All such persons who possess or own a potbellied pig shall obtain a permit from the Animal Shelter, within thirty (30) days of acquiring it, and pay the fee as established by City Council resolution and as amended from time to time by resolution;
(e) 
Such potbellied pig shall be detusked and neutered at the appropriate ages for potbellied pigs and no litters are to be born to any potbellied pig that is kept in the City limits of Turlock;
(f) 
There is no evidence that such potbellied pig has become a public nuisance through the filing of two (2) complaints of noise or odor from two (2) separate households. Should such evidence of a public nuisance exist, same is grounds for revocation of the permit to keep a potbellied pig in the City of Turlock.
(838-CS, Enacted, 03/23/1994; 1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
Notwithstanding anything else in this Code to the contrary, it shall be lawful to possess or own "racing pigeons," "fancy pigeons," and "sporting pigeons," as defined in this Code, in the City of Turlock subject to the following requirements and permit.
(a) 
Definitions.
(1) 
"Pigeon"
shall mean a member of the family Columbidae, and shall include "racing pigeons," "fancy pigeons," and "sporting pigeons" as defined in this Code.
(2) 
"Racing pigeon"
shall mean a pigeon which, through selective past breeding, has developed the distinctive physical and mental characteristics as to enable it to return to its home after having been released a considerable distance therefrom, and which is accepted such by the American Racing Pigeon Union, Inc. or the International Federation of Racing Pigeons Fanciers. Also commonly known as racing homer, or carrier pigeon.
(3) 
"Fancy pigeon"
shall mean a pigeon which, through past breeding, has developed certain distinctive physical and performing characteristics as to be clearly identified and accepted as such by the National Pigeon Association, the American Pigeon Club, or the Rare Breeds Pigeon Club. Examples: fantails, pouters, and trumpeters.
(4) 
"Sporting pigeon"
shall mean a pigeon which, through selective past breeding, has developed the ability to fly in a distinctive manner, such as aerial acrobatics or endurance flying. Examples: rollers and tipplers.
(5) 
"Loft"
shall mean the structure(s) for the keeping or housing of the pigeons permitted by this section.
(6) 
"Leg Band"
shall mean a permanent marker affixed to a pigeon's leg that is imprinted with the year of the pigeon's birth, club affiliation, and individual identification number.
(7) 
"Mature pigeon"
shall mean a pigeon aged six (6) months or older.
(8) 
"Owner"
shall mean the owner of pigeons subject to this ordinance.
(b) 
Conditions. The keeping, breeding, maintenance, and flying of pigeons shall be permitted in any zoning district in the City subject to the following conditions:
(1) 
No person shall keep or maintain more than fifty (50) (exercising) mature pigeons on any single lot.
(2) 
All pigeons shall be fitted with a leg band approved by the National Pigeon Association, the American Pigeon Club, the Rare Breeds Pigeon Club, or similar nationally recognized pigeon organization.
(3) 
The loft shall be of sufficient size and design, and constructed of such material, that it can be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
(4) 
There shall be at least one (1) square foot of floor space in any loft for each mature pigeon kept therein.
(5) 
The construction and location of any loft shall not constitute a nuisance or be detrimental to the public safety, health, and welfare of the neighborhood and community. Furthermore, the loft shall be compatible in scale and design with adjacent structures, including those on adjoining properties. Any loft shall be constructed on the back one-half (1/2) of the property and shall comply with the provisions of TMC 9-2-101, Accessory buildings or structures. No loft shall be located closer than fifty (50') feet from any building used for human habitation.
(6) 
All feed for the pigeons shall be stored in such containers to protect against intrusion by rodents and other vermin.
(7) 
The loft shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and in compliance with all applicable health regulations. The owner shall take any and all steps necessary to prevent fly breeding, fleas, and rodents.
(8) 
Waste material shall not be a source of odor and shall be disposed of in an approved manner.
(9) 
No dead animals shall be buried on the premises.
(10) 
All pigeons shall be confined to the loft, except for limited periods necessary for exercise, training, and competition; and at no time shall pigeons be allowed to perch or linger on buildings or fences, or other common or private property, including that of others.
(11) 
All pigeons shall be fed within the confines of the loft.
(12) 
No one shall release pigeons to fly for exercise, training, or competition except in compliance with the following provisions:
(i) 
The owner of the pigeons must be a member in good standing of an organized pigeon club, such as the American Racing Pigeon Union, Inc., the International Federation of Racing Pigeon Fanciers, the National Pigeon Association, the American Tippler Society, the International Roller Association, the Rare Breeds Pigeon Club, California State Racing Pigeon Organization, or a local club which has rules that will help preserve the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood.
(ii) 
Pigeons will not be released for flying which have been fed within the previous four (4) hours.
(iii) 
Pigeons shall be banded and registered with one (1) of the national pigeon associations/registries.
(13) 
All lofts shall be periodically inspected for compliance with the provisions of this section and for compliance with the terms of any permit.
(c) 
Permit required. The keeping of pigeons may be authorized at the discretion of the Development Services Director and Chief of Police, or designee(s), pursuant to a permit applied for and issued in accordance with TMC 9-5-307 through 9-5-315. Any Minor Discretionary Permit shall be issued to the owner and shall remain in full force and effective unless suspended or revoked, or unless the use of the loft is discontinued for a period of one (1) year. A fee shall be paid by the applicant to cover the costs of processing and administering the permit application. Such fee shall be set by Council resolution, and may be amended from time to time.
(d) 
Permit revocation. The Development Services Director shall revoke any permit to keep pigeons if it has been determined that said pigeons have become a public nuisance. The keeping of pigeons on a particular property shall be deemed a public nuisance if two (2) complaints of noise, odor, or failure to comply with the provisions of this Code are filed from separate households.
(Ord. 1003-CS, Added, 06/26/2003; 1223-CS, Amended, 10/13/2016)
(a) 
The term "Breeder Certificate" shall mean a written authorization issued annually by Animal Services and Control giving its lawful holder permission to breed one (1) litter per year per designated animal.
(b) 
Any holder of a Breeder Certificate who advertises to the public the availability of any dog or cat for sale, adoption, or transfer, whether for compensation or otherwise, must prominently display the Breeder Certificate number in any such advertisement. Further, the Breeder Certificate holder must provide the Certificate number to any person who purchases, adopts or receives any animal from the Certificate holder and include the Certificate number on any receipt of sale or transfer document.
(c) 
No offspring may be sold, adopted, bartered, or otherwise transferred, whether for compensation or otherwise, until it has reached the age of at least seven (7) weeks and has received its first immunization against common diseases.
(d) 
The following animals are exempt from Breeder Certificate requirements:
(1) 
Dogs documented as having been appropriately trained and actively used by law enforcement agencies for law enforcement and rescue activities;
(2) 
Dogs documented as guide, signal, or service dogs pursuant to California Penal Code Sections 365.5(d), (e) and (f) and successor sections;
(3) 
Dogs and cats under the care of governmental animal control agencies; animal rescue organizations which have demonstrated to Animal Services and Control staff that they have implemented an ongoing spay/neuter plan, as well as an adoption plan; or humane societies or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, if such societies are incorporated under the provisions of California Corporations Code Section 10400 and the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law in Part 2 of the California Corporations Code, beginning at Section 5110, and successor sections;
(4) 
Dogs documented as enrolled in a guide, signal or service dog breeding program administered by a person licensed under Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 7200), Division 3 of the California Business and Professions Code; and
(5) 
When a veterinarian has determined that spay/neuter is inappropriate for the animal's age or health.
(e) 
When contacted by Animal Services and Control Officers, the owner of a pregnant or whelping dog or cat must either show proof of an impending spay/neuter appointment or agree to participate in a low-cost spay/neuter program, or purchase a Breeder Certificate.
(f) 
Breeder Certificates shall not be issued to any person who has been convicted of animal cruelty or neglect.
(1064-CS, Added, 05/23/2006)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person within the City of Turlock to intentionally provide food, water, or other forms of sustenance to a feral cat unless the person furnishes Animal Services and Control with a signed statement agreeing to all of the following conditions:
(1) 
Register with Animal Services and Control as a caretaker of feral cats;
(2) 
Feed feral cat(s) daily in a manner that does not leave excess food in the area;
(3) 
Regularly trap and spay/neuter cats over the age of eight (8) weeks;
(4) 
Arrange to have all trapped cats tested for feline leukemia and feline immune deficiency virus, and to have those who test positive humanely euthanized or isolated indoors;
(5) 
Identify all trapped cats by tipping their ears;
(6) 
Arrange to have all trapped cats vaccinated for rabies in addition to any other vaccination or immunization requirement imposed by the State.
(1064-CS, Added, 05/23/2006)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, possessing, controlling, harboring, or keeping a dog to permit such animal to defecate upon the public property of the City of Turlock or upon the private property of another, unless that person immediately removes the feces and properly disposes of it.
(b) 
Any person having custody or control of a dog while on public property, or private property not owned by such person, shall at all times carry an instrument suitable for the removal and proper disposal of feces and shall remove and dispose of same.
(c) 
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, possessing, controlling, harboring, or keeping a dog or cat to allow feces to accumulate upon their property. Feces must be removed prior to the occurrence of offensive odors or fly and/or rodent infestation. Feces must be removed by placing it in plastic bags for deposit in appropriate garbage containers. It shall be unlawful to deposit feces in a manner which may create a health hazard.
(d) 
Visually handicapped persons using guide dogs are exempt.
(1064-CS, Added, 05/23/2006)
(a) 
The term "rescue permit" shall mean a written authorization issued annually by Animal Services giving a lawful rescue group the authority to hold an agreed upon number of dogs and/or cats at a specific location for the purpose of placing them in permanent homes, without having to obtain a kennel permit.
(b) 
The rescue group must provide proof to Animal Services of a current and valid nonprofit group status, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code and issued by the Internal Revenue Service Department of Treasury, as required by Food and Agriculture Code Section 31108(b).
(c) 
The rescue group must submit to annual inspections of the site where animals are to be housed.
(d) 
The rescue group must provide documentation of caretakers that are responsible for the care, feeding and treatment of the animals in addition to and in the absence of the individual applying for the permit.
(e) 
An evacuation plan must be on file at the site location.
(f) 
If the residence is not owned by the applicant, written permission from the land owner must be kept on file with Animal Services.
(g) 
No dog or cat may be sold, adopted, bartered, or otherwise transferred, whether for compensation or otherwise, until it has reached the age of at least seven (7) weeks and has received its first immunization against common diseases and proof of spay or neuter (as required by Food and Agriculture Code Section 30520) has been provided to the new owner.
(h) 
If a veterinarian has determined that spay/neuter is inappropriate for the animal's advanced age or health, a dog/cat maybe placed with a new family with proof of verification, as stipulated in the Food and Agriculture Code Section 30520.
(i) 
Rescue permits can be revoked by the Department of Animal Services if there are complaints of excessive noise, feces or smell. All feces must be removed prior to accumulation upon the property. Feces must be removed prior to the occurrence of offensive odors or fly and/or rodent infestation. Feces must be removed by placing them in a plastic bag for deposit in appropriate garbage container. It is unlawful to deposit feces in manner which may create a health hazard.
(j) 
Any kennels built or operated at the permitted location or on the grounds of the rescue group shall be subject to the requirements of Article 4 of this chapter (Kennels).
(k) 
No dead animals shall be buried on the premises.
(l) 
Rescue permits shall not be issued to any person who has been convicted of animal cruelty or neglect.
(1179-CS, Added, 03/14/2013)