No person shall permit a Dog to stray from private property owned or legally possessed by the Dog Owner or Custodian unless the Dog is restrained by a leash or lead not exceeding eight feet in length, except in the following situations:
A. 
When the Dog is assisting a peace Officer who is engaged in law enforcement duties or when the Dog is participating in a search and rescue effort at the specific request of a law enforcement authority;
B. 
When the Dog is enrolled in and actually participating in a Dog training or obedience course, exhibition, or competition conducted by an organization on private or public property with the permission of the Owner or operator of the grounds or facilities;
C. 
When the Dog is assisting the Owner or person in charge of Livestock in the herding or control of such Livestock;
D. 
When the Dog is accompanying and under the direction of a person engaged in hunting on property where such activities are allowed, or on private property with written permission of the Owner; or
E. 
When the Dog is contained within a legally designated Leash-free park or enclosure.
(Added by Ord. No. 3557, effective 5-30-19)
Any Owner or Custodian of any Dog, which is running at large, that causes injury through indirect or direct action, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Nothing in this section precludes prosecution for any additional or more severe applicable state or federal criminal liability that may apply as a result of injuries, property damage, or death that resulted from the Animal running at large.
(Added by Ord. No. 3557, effective 5-30-19)
A. 
No person shall permit Livestock or Equine to stray from private property owned by the Owner or Custodian of such Livestock or Equine, or from private property to which such Owner or Custodian has a right of possession, except in the following situations:
1. 
When the Livestock or Equine is being led, driven, or conducted along a public road or street during daylight hours under the supervision and control of its Owner or Custodian;
2. 
When the Livestock or Equine is on public property with the consent of the Owner or operator of the grounds or facilities, or on private property with the consent of the Owner, lessee, or other person in control thereof, and such property is lawfully fenced;
3. 
When the Livestock or Equine is on designated open range areas.
B. 
The Owner or Custodian of any Livestock or Equine that are found at large on any public or private property other than the Owner's, without permission of the property Owner, shall be guilty of an infraction.
C. 
Nothing in this section precludes prosecution for any additional or more severe applicable state or federal criminal liability which may apply as a result of injuries, property damage, or death which resulted from the Livestock or Equine running at large.
D. 
In addition to any other penalties imposed, the Owner or Custodian of the Livestock or Equine shall be liable for the salaries, costs, and other expenses incurred by Animal Services in restraining, capturing, or rescuing such Livestock or Equine.
(Added by Ord. No. 3557, effective 5-30-19)
A. 
Any Animal shall be taken up and Impounded at the Animal Shelter (or at such other place as may be approved by the Manager) if, to the knowledge of Animal Services, any of the following conditions exist, including but not limited to:
1. 
The Animal is engaged in an activity or existing in a condition prohibited by this chapter;
2. 
The Animal is, or will be, without proper care due to the injury, illness, death, incarceration, or other involuntary absence of the Owner or person responsible for the care of such Animal;
3. 
The Animal is being neglected or mistreated as described in Penal Code sections 597, 597f, 597t, 597.1, or other state or federal law prohibiting the mistreatment of animals;
4. 
The Animal poses an immediate threat to public safety and/or health; or
5. 
The Animal is required to be quarantined.
B. 
Notice of Impoundment. When an Animal implanted with a Microchip or wearing a current Tulare County license is Impounded, Animal Services shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the Owner or Custodian of record of the date and place of Impoundment or removal, and the procedure whereby the Owner or Custodian may apply to regain custody of the Animal.
C. 
Duration.
1. 
All Impounded Animals shall be kept in the Animal Shelter or other authorized place of Impoundment for the period as described in Sections 31108, 31752 and 31753 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
2. 
During this holding period and prior to adoption or euthanasia, the Animal will be scanned for a Microchip, license tag, tattoo or other form of identification. If one is found and the Owner can be determined, a reasonable effort must be made to contact the Owner of the Animal.
3. 
Except for stray Animals experiencing irremediable suffering, any stray Animal Impounded shall, prior to the scheduled euthanasia of that Animal, be released to any willing Animal Rescue.
D. 
Redemption.
1. 
Except in case of abuse, neglect, quarantine, or potentially dangerous or vicious dogs, the Owner or Custodian of any Animal Impounded may, at any time before the expiration of the period of Impoundment, redeem the Animal by paying all civil penalties, fees and charges accrued. If the Animal is subject to the licensing or license provisions of this chapter, the licensing requirements must be satisfied before the Animal is released.
2. 
Pursuant to Section 31254 of the Food and Agricultural Code, the refusal or failure of the Owner or Custodian of any Impounded Animal to pay the fees and charges after due notification shall be held to be an abandonment of the Animal by the Owner or Custodian.
3. 
All Animals that have been Impounded must be implanted with a Microchip at the Owner's or Custodian's expense prior to redemption.
4. 
Upon the second Impoundment within a twenty-four (24) month period, any Animal so Impounded must be spayed or neutered at the Owner's or Custodian's expense prior to redemption, and any applicable breeding permit issued for the Animal revoked.
E. 
Owner Surrendered Animals.
1. 
Upon surrender of the Animal to Animal Services, the Owner or Custodian must present sufficient identification such as driver's license or California identification card and the bill of sale for the Animal, adoption contract, or Dog license, to establish his or her Ownership of the Animal and shall sign a statement that he or she is the lawful Owner of the Animal. The Owner or Custodian of the surrendered Animal must pay all required fees.
2. 
If the Animal surrendered has a history of Potentially Dangerous or Vicious behavior, it may be immediately euthanized in accordance with Section 31108.5 of the Food and Agriculture Code.
3. 
All Animals will be held for the length of time outlined in Section 31754 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
F. 
Animal Impounded for Abuse or Neglect.
1. 
In addition to any other civil or criminal penalties, Animals impounded or seized for violations of section 4-07-3210, section 4-07-3230, any of the statutes listed in section 4-07-5200(A)(3), or any other state or federal law prohibiting the mistreatment of animals will not be returned until the Owner demonstrates to the satisfaction of the seizing agency, the Administrative Review Officer, Administrative Review Appeals Officer, or the County Hearing Officer that the Owner can and will provide proper and necessary care for the Animal, and all costs for the seizure and care of the Animal are paid. The Animal's return may be conditioned.
2. 
If the seizing agency believes that return of the Animal would endanger the Animal, the agency shall provide notice to the Owner that the Animal will not be returned to the Owner. The Owner may request Administrative Review in the same manner as in postseizure proceedings. The decision of the Administrative Review Officer may be appealed to the Administrative Review Appeals Officer in the same manner as a Kennel Operator under section 4-07-4008, except that evidence presented shall relate to the allegations of abuse or neglect.
3. 
The decision of the Administrative Review Appeals Officer may be appealed to the County Hearing Officer in the same manner as a Kennel Operator under section 4-07-4008.
G. 
Disposition of Impounded and Surrendered Animals.
1. 
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, an Impounded Animal which is not redeemed within the applicable holding period specified in this chapter or an Animal voluntarily surrendered to Animal Services for adoption, except an Animal that has been Impounded for quarantine or is known to have bitten a human or to have demonstrated potentially dangerous or vicious propensities, may be offered for adoption as determined by Animal Services and in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
2. 
When an Animal is adopted, the receipt issued by Animal Services shall be valid proof of Ownership to the adopter. All adoptions shall convey a good and valid title to the adopter, and the previous Animal Owner or Custodian shall thereafter be barred from recovering said Animal.
(Added by Ord. No. 3557, effective 5-30-19; amended by Ord. No. 3559, effective 6-20-19)
A. 
1. 
Animal Services shall ensure that all Animals falling into the following categories shall be isolated or quarantined or destroyed and a rabies specimen taken at Animal Services or at such other place and under such conditions as are prescribed by the health Officer or authorized according to other applicable California State laws and regulations, including but not limited to:
a. 
Known rabid Animals;
b. 
Suspected rabid Animals;
c. 
Animals that have bitten or otherwise exposed a human to rabies; and
d. 
Animals of a species subject to rabies, which have been bitten by a known rabid or suspected rabid Animal or have been in intimate contact with a known rabid or suspected rabid Animal.
2. 
In circumstances where the bite or exposure to rabies occurred while the victim was on the property of the Owner or Custodian of the Animal or when the victim is a member of the family or household of the Owner or Custodian, and when the Animal is not currently vaccinated against rabies and, as applicable, licensed as required by the provisions of this chapter, the Animal may, at the discretion of Animal Services, be quarantined on the property of the Owner provided the following:
a. 
The Owner of said Animal can and does agree to ensure its confinement and isolation for the period of quarantine;
b. 
The Owner agrees, upon demand of the Health Officer or Animal Services during the period of quarantine, to surrender the Animal to Animal Services;
c. 
The Owner agrees to immediately notify Animal Services if the Animal escapes, becomes ill, or dies.
3. 
It is unlawful for the Owner or Custodian of an Animal to violate any of the conditions of isolation or quarantine prescribed by the Health Officer or Animal Services. Any violation of this section is a misdemeanor.
B. 
Nonvaccinated Biting Animals Fee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Owner of any Animal which is required by law to be vaccinated for rabies and which has not been so vaccinated and which bites or wounds any person or other Animal shall be subject to a penalty fee.
(Added by Ord. No. 3557, effective 5-30-19)