(a) 
Rabies vaccination required. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, control, harbor, keep or possess any dog that has not been vaccinated within thirty (30) days of becoming four (4) months of age with canine rabies vaccine by a licensed veterinarian.
(b) 
License required. Every person who owns, controls, harbors, possesses, or keeps any dog over the age of four (4) months within the City shall procure a license from Animal Services for such dog. Thereafter during the year, within thirty (30) days after a dog over the age of four (4) months is acquired or brought into the City, or within thirty (30) days after a dog reaches the age of four (4) months, its owner shall procure a license for such dog and shall be required to pay the fees required of such owner pursuant to the provisions of this article.
(c) 
Multi-year option. The license provided for herein may be issued for a period not to exceed three (3) years for a dog that has attained the age of twelve (12) months, or older, and who has been vaccinated against rabies. The person to whom the license is to be issued may choose a license period of up to one (1), two (2), or three (3) years. However, when issuing a license pursuant to this subsection, the license period shall not extend beyond the remaining period of validity for the current rabies vaccination.
(d) 
Discount fee. Any person who selects a license period of two (2) or three (3) years for a dog over the age of twelve (12) months, as provided for in subsection (c) of this section, shall receive a discounted rate in an amount set by resolution as amended from time to time.
(e) 
Relocation. Any person who relocates (i.e., moves) into the City of Turlock with a dog over the age of four (4) months and with a current license and vaccination from another jurisdiction shall be allowed to procure a City of Turlock dog license within the first thirty (30) days at no charge. The expiration date of such new license will correspond with the expiration date of the previously issued license.
(f) 
Service dogs. Assistance or service dogs are issued a specifically designed identifying tag in accordance with the California Food and Agricultural Code Section 30850, et seq. Owners of these dogs must comply with all State and local license requirements. Service tags shall be issued without charge.
(821-CS, Amended, 06/22/1993; 1001-CS, Amended, 01/14/2003)
(a) 
Payment of fees and proof of vaccination. Before issuing any dog license provided for in this article, and as a condition thereof, Animal Services shall require the person applying for such license to:
(1) 
Pay the fee authorized by TMC 6-1-301 in an amount set by resolution; and
(2) 
Present a current, valid certificate signed by a veterinarian, duly licensed under the laws of the State, showing that the dog for which such license is applied for has been vaccinated by such veterinarian against rabies within the time period specified below.
When injected at four (4) months of age or older with an approved canine rabies vaccine and revaccinated in accordance with the following conditions:
(i) 
Primary immunization shall be defined as the initial inoculation of an approved canine rabies vaccine administered to young dogs between the ages of four (4) to twelve (12) months.
(ii) 
The minimum age for which rabies immunization of dogs shall be accepted for purposes of dog owner compliance with requirements for rabies vaccination and for purposes of issuance of dog licenses is four (4) months.
(iii) 
Dogs shall be revaccinated one (1) year (twelve (12) months) after the primary immunization with an approved type of rabies vaccine. Dogs receiving vaccination after primary immunization or any dog receiving its initial rabies vaccination over twelve (12) months of age shall be revaccinated thereafter at least once every three (3) years (thirty-six (36) months) with an approved type of rabies vaccine.
(b) 
Notice of renewal. Animal Services shall cause a notice of renewal to be sent to any person who has a licensed dog thirty (30) days before the expiration date. A late fee, as set by resolution and amended from time to time, will be charged if the license fee is not paid on or before the date of expiration.
(821-CS, Amended, 06/22/1993; 1001-CS, Amended, 01/14/2003; 1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
(a) 
Upon the receipt of the license fee and the certificate of vaccination, Animal Services and Control staff shall deliver to the person applying for a dog license a tag for the dog, together with a seal or device impressed thereon, which the owner shall attach to a collar or other device and which shall be worn by such dog at all times.
(b) 
Any person requiring a replacement tag for a dog shall pay a replacement fee in an amount set by resolution, which amount may be amended from time to time.
(c) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to attach to a collar or other device to be worn by a dog any license which was not obtained for such dog.
(d) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or have the care, custody, or control of any dog which is wearing a license issued for another dog.
(821-CS, Amended, 06/22/1993; 1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
Animal Services and Control staff shall keep a record of the issuance of every license issued pursuant to the provisions of this article, showing the name of the owner, possessor, or harborer of such dog, a description of the dog, and the number or device of the license tag issued therefor.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
It shall be the duty of Animal Services and Control Officers to seize and impound any dog owned, possessed, or harbored within the corporate limits of the City on which a license shall not have been paid, wherever such dog may be kept, possessed, or harbored; provided, however, the provisions of this section shall not apply to dogs passing through the City or not remaining therein for a period of more than thirty (30) days.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having the possession of any female dog in season to permit the same to run at large or to run loose on or within the premises of such person and to enter any designated dog park within the City.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having the possession of any unaltered male dog to allow such dog to enter any designated dog park within the City.
(c) 
"Running loose"
is defined, for the purposes of this section, as being outside of a house, closed garage or other closed building, whether tied or not.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006; 1123-CS, Amended, 08/27/09)
No person owning any dog or having the care, custody, control, or possession of any dog shall suffer, allow, or permit such dog to run, be, or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square, or other public place, or upon any private property other than the property of the owner or custodian of such dog without the consent of the owner of such property, within the corporate limits of the City, and all dogs may be deemed running at large within the meaning of this section unless tied, restrained by chain, strap, or cord eight (8') feet or less in length, attached to their collars and actually held by some responsible person. Any dog found running at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square, or other public place, or upon any private property other than the property of the owner or custodian of such dog without the consent of the owner of such property within the corporate limits of the City shall be subject to seizure and impounding in the Animal Shelter.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006; 1070-CS, Amended, 11/09/2006)
(a) 
Any dog which habitually runs at large is hereby declared a nuisance. A dog shall be deemed to habitually run at large when any person owning such dog or having the care, custody, control, or possession of such dog has three (3) total written notices or citations that such dog is or has been at large.
It shall be unlawful for any person to own or have the care, custody, control, or possession of any dog which constitutes a nuisance.
(b) 
If an Animal Services and Control Officer certifies that there is probable cause that a dog is a public nuisance as defined above, a risk to public safety and found to be running at large or improperly secured to a location other than the owner's residence or business, the dog will be impounded and held at the Animal Shelter pending a nuisance dog hearing pursuant to this Code.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
It shall be the duty of Animal Services and Control Officers to seize and impound in the Animal Shelter all dogs found running at large upon any public street, road, alley, park, square, or other public place, or upon any private property other than the property of the owner or custodian of such dog without the consent of the owner of such property, within the corporate limits of the City.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
Every dog which has injured any person, other than a trespasser or the person owning or having the possession of such dog, and every dog which has damaged the property of any person other than the person owning or having the possession of such dog, shall be taken by Animal Services and Control Officers and impounded in the Animal Shelter. Before any dog may be picked up and impounded for a violation of the provisions of this section which has been committed outside of the presence of Animal Services and Control Officers or peace officers, the person complaining against such violation shall be required to file a written complaint setting forth the details with respect to the injury or damage asserted to have been committed and identifying the dog which has committed the same. In the event the facts and circumstances of any case warrant, in the opinion of the Police Chief, an arrest of the person owning or having possession of such dog, then the person complaining may also be required to sign a complaint to cause the arrest.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, controls, harbors, keeps, or possesses any dog or other animal known by such person, or which ought reasonably to be known by such person, to be vicious or dangerous, to permit the same to run at large, or to permit the same to run loose on or within the premises of such person or any other person, or be on the premises of such person or any other person in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any person lawfully entering such premises or on public property. Such vicious or dangerous dogs shall not be permitted to enter into or remain in a City of Turlock dog park unless fitted with a muzzle to be worn at all times while in the dog park. Vicious or dangerous dogs shall be affixed to a leash not exceeding eight (8') feet in length and held in the custody and control of an adult at all times while in the dog park. A dog is hereby declared to be vicious within the meaning of this section when such dog shall have bitten any one (1) or more persons or animals or when a propensity to attack or bite human beings or other animals shall exist and is known, or ought reasonably to be known, to the owner or person in possession of such dog. It shall be the duty of Animal Services and Control Officers or peace officers to seize and impound any vicious dog which is found off the premises of its owner or other person in control thereof. The owner of any dog that demonstrates aggressive behavior toward humans or animals will be required to remove said dog immediately from the dog park until such time as said dog is able to exhibit appropriate and safe behavior.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006; 1123-CS, Amended, 08/27/09)
Upon the presentation of proper credentials, the Health Officer, Animal Services and Control Officers, or any police officer may enter at reasonable times upon the yards of private property, but not into private buildings, when reasonably necessary to do so in order to enforce the provisions of this article.
(1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
In the event any dog or cat which has bitten a person is impounded, the Animal Shelter shall impound and keep such animal safely segregated during a period of at least ten (10) days for observation by Animal Shelter staff, pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 17, Section 2606, for rabies. Following such period of observation, if it shall be found that the animal does not have rabies, and if it is licensed, if applicable, and otherwise eligible to be released, it shall be returned to the owner. Owners of dogs or cats shall pay shelter or home quarantine fees, the cost for board and care, the cost of microchip insertion, rabies deposit, and license fee, if applicable. If the dog or cat is found to have rabies, it shall immediately be destroyed by the Animal Shelter and transported to the local health department.
(978-CS, Amended, 04/25/2002; 1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
The Animal Shelter shall keep every impounded dog or cat supplied with food and water and confined for a period established by California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31108, unless the owner shall sooner redeem it by procuring the required dog license, paying the Animal Shelter the required State and City impound fees, and deposit for rabies vaccination.
(978-CS, Amended, 04/25/2002)
The Animal Shelter, immediately after any dog or cat is impounded in accordance with the provisions of this article, shall post notice thereof at the City's Internet website. Such notice shall bear the date of impoundment, contain a general description of the animal, location and disposition. The Animal Shelter staff shall notify the owner of the animal, if such owner's name can be reasonably ascertained. Owners will be given six (6) business days (not including the day of impoundment) from mailing of such notice to reclaim the animal; thereafter, the animal will become the property of the City of Turlock.
(978-CS, Amended, 04/25/2002; 1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
Any dog or cat not redeemed within the period established by California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31108 can be adopted, rescued, or euthanized at the discretion of Animal Shelter staff. If a dog or cat is deemed adoptable, new owners will be required to pay for City of Turlock administrative fees, spay/neuter costs, license fee, microchip fee, and rabies deposit, if applicable. Any dog or cat not adopted or rescued for any reason shall be humanely euthanized and disposed of.
(978-CS, Amended, 04/25/2002; 1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
Within the City there are vicious dogs and nuisance dogs, as defined in this Code, which constitute a public nuisance which should be abated. The provisions of this section provide an administrative procedure by which dogs found to be a nuisance may be abated following a hearing at which oral and documentary evidence is considered. This section is intended to supplement, rather than supplant, any other remedy available either under State laws or this Code.
(a) 
Vicious dog defined. Any dog, except one assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement duties, which demonstrates any of the following behavior is presumed vicious:
(1) 
An attack which requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury or property damage when such person is conducting himself peacefully and lawfully;
(2) 
An attack which results in property damage or in an injury to a person when such person is conducting himself peacefully and lawfully;
(3) 
An attack on another animal, livestock, or poultry which occurs on property other than that of the owner of the attacking dog; or
(4) 
Any behavior which constitutes a threat of bodily harm to a person when such person is conducting himself peacefully and lawfully.
For the purposes of this section, a person is conducting himself peacefully and lawfully upon the private property of an owner or possessor of the dog when he is on such property in the performance of any duty imposed on such person by State or local laws, or by the laws of postal regulations of the United States, or when he is on such property upon invitation, either expressed or implied.
(b) 
Nuisance dog defined. Any dog which habitually runs at large is hereby declared a nuisance. A dog shall be deemed to habitually run at large when any person owning such dog or having the care, custody, control, or possession of such dog has three (3) total written notices or citations that such dog is or has been at large.
(c) 
Investigations. Any incident reported to the Police Department concerning a vicious dog or nuisance dog may be investigated by the Police Chief or his designee. The investigation may consist of reports of officers made at the time of the incident or follow-up reports. If, based on the investigation, the Police Chief concludes that there is probable cause to believe that the dog is vicious or a public nuisance, the Police Chief shall so certify in writing within ten (10) days following the completion of the investigation to the person owning or controlling the dog. Thereafter a hearing shall be held pursuant to subsections (e), (f), and (g) of this section.
(d) 
Confinement of dogs. If the Police Chief certifies that there is probable cause to believe that a dog is vicious or a nuisance and a risk to the public safety, the Police Chief may direct any animal control officer, police officer, or other authorized employee of the City to enter the yard of any private residence or business in order to seize any such dog, whether running at large or not, and confine such dog at an appropriate animal shelter pending the decision of the City Manager following the hearing provided for in subsections (e), (f), and (g) of this section. The cost of such confinement shall be paid by the person owning or controlling such dog. The dog shall not be released until such costs have been paid in full.
(e) 
Hearings: Scheduling: Notices. A hearing date shall be set not later than fifteen (15) days after the date that the City Clerk receives notice that the Police Chief has certified that there is probable cause to believe the dog is vicious or a nuisance, pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section. The City Manager, or his or her designee, shall mail or otherwise deliver to the owner or person controlling the dog and other interested persons, including, but not necessarily limited to, all properties within three hundred feet (300') of the address of the owner or person controlling the dog, at least five (5) days prior to the date set for the hearing, a notice in substantially the following form:
Notice of Hearing Regarding Vicious/Nuisance Dog
To: (name) ; (address) :
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to the provisions of Section 6-1-316 of the Turlock Municipal Code, the Police Chief has certified that there is probable cause to believe a dog owned or controlled by you, a (breed) , is vicious/a public nuisance.
FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on the day of , 20 , at the hour of o'clock, in the office of the City Manager, City Hall, 156 South Broadway, Turlock, California, the report of the Police Chief will be considered by the City Manager or an appointed hearing officer with such other oral and documentary evidence bearing upon the question of whether your dog is vicious/a public nuisance. You may appear and may present evidence at the hearing. You may also be represented by an attorney. If you fail to appear without giving notice to the City Manager, the matter may proceed in your absence, and such absence may be further considered a waiver of your right to present evidence and object to any decision made.
In the event your dog is found to be vicious/a public nuisance, it will be ordered to be controlled, confined, destroyed, restricted, or otherwise abated as a public nuisance, and any impoundment cost incurred shall be assessed against you.
A copy of this notice has been sent to property owners within 300 feet of your address.
Dated:
City Manager
(f) 
Hearings: Procedure. At the hearing, which may be continued from time to time, both oral and documentary evidence may be taken from any interested person and considered in determining whether the dog is vicious/a public nuisance. Any owner who fails to appear after notice as provided in this section was given, without obtaining a continuance from the City Manager or an appointed hearing officer, may be deemed to have waived any right to introduce evidence or object to an order made by the City Manager. If the hearing is conducted by a hearing officer other than the City Manager, the hearing officer shall submit a report to the City Manager summarizing the evidence and making a recommendation as to disposition.
(g) 
Hearings: Findings: Public nuisances. If, based upon the hearing, and the report of the hearing officer, if any, the City Manager upholds the findings of the Police Chief that the dog is vicious/a public nuisance, the City Manager shall so specify in writing, together with the reasons therefor. Any dog found to be vicious/a public nuisance is hereby deemed a public nuisance and, pursuant to the order of the City Manager, shall be humanely destroyed, be removed from the City, or the nuisance otherwise abated by appropriate order of the City Manager, including, but not limited to, confinement, fencing, muzzling, or leashing. The decision of the City Manager shall be made within ten (10) days after the conclusion of the hearing and shall be final. A copy of the decision shall be sent by certified mail or personally served upon the person owning or controlling the dog.
(h) 
Costs of impoundment. If the City Manager finds the dog is vicious/a public nuisance, the costs of impoundment incurred by the City, including any abatement period, shall be paid by the owner or the person controlling the dog and shall become a lien against the real property upon which the dog was kept and maintained until such lien is paid. If the order includes the release of a dog found to be vicious/a public nuisance to the owner or person controlling it, the dog shall not be released until such costs have been paid in full. If such costs have not been paid within thirty (30) days after the date of the mailing or delivery of the order, the City Manager may dispose of the dog in any manner provided by law or return the dog and pursue alternative collection procedures. The total amount of the impoundment charges may be entered on the next fiscal year tax roll as a lien against the property upon which the dog was maintained and shall be subject to the same penalties as are provided for other delinquent taxes, liens, or assessments of the City, or an action may be brought in the name of the City to recover the costs of impoundment.
(i) 
Criminal sanctions. The first violation of any order issued pursuant to subsection (g) of this section shall constitute an infraction. The second and any further violations within twenty-four (24) months after the order shall be misdemeanors.
(708-CS, Amended, 09/27/1990; 866-CS, Amended, 02/09/1995; 988-CS, Amended, 09/12/2002; 1064-CS, Amended, 05/23/2006)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful to leave an animal, wild or domestic, in any unattended motorized vehicle without adequate ventilation to ensure the inside temperature of the vehicle does not exceed a point that may endanger the health or well-being of such animal due to heat, cold, lack of food or drink, or such other circumstance as may be reasonably expected to cause suffering, disability, or death.
(b) 
Animal Services and Control Officers or police officers may remove endangered animals and post a notice of removal bearing the disposition of the animal and charges for the cost of care and shelter on the vehicle from which the animal was removed.
(c) 
Animal Services and Control Officers or police officers may force entry to seize an endangered animal, and the owner takes sole responsibility for any damages incurred.
(1064-CS, Added, 05/23/2006)
The City Council of the City of Turlock will, from time to time, designate secured areas within the City for walking, recreation, training, and socialization of dogs.
(a) 
It shall be unlawful to bring any dog to a dog park:
(1) 
That is not currently licensed, for which proof must be shown;
(2) 
That does not possess current vaccinations, for which proof must be shown;
(3) 
That has not been altered;
(4) 
That is less than four (4) months of age;
(5) 
That has been determined under TMC 6-1-316 to be a nuisance dog; or
(6) 
That has been determined under TMC 6-1-316 to be a vicious dog.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful for anyone to tamper with, alter, or in any way modify the drinking fountain at a dog park.
(c) 
No private parties, private training sessions, or any other private event shall take place in a dog park to the exclusion of full public use.
(1123-CS, Added, 08/27/09)