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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />JUNE 18, 2007 <br />TITLE: <br />ORDINANCE AMENDING THE <br />MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 5 ON <br />ANIMALS <br />C1TY MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />^ As Recommended <br />^ As Amended <br />^ Ordinance on 1~` Reading <br />^ Ordinance on 2n° Reading <br />^ Implementing Resolution <br />^ Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 5 (Animals) of the Santa Ana Municipal <br />Code. <br />DISCUSSION <br />On March 27, 2007 and April 24, 2007, the Santa Ana Police Department <br />Animal Services Section staff presented their review of Chapter 5 (Animals) <br />of the Municipal Code to the Public Safety Committee. The purpose of the <br />review was to correct ambiguous language and bring the Municipal Code in <br />line with the best practices and standards of current animal welfare <br />regulations. The review identified several areas for modification, <br />enhancement, or first-time implementation in order to protect the public <br />safety and welfare of the residents of the City of Santa Ana. <br />The recommendations include the declaration of a barking dog as a public <br />nuisance and the enforcement of the administrative process as one method to <br />handle noisy animal complaints from citizens. A new ordinance is also <br />recommended to specify minimum requirements for the care and maintenance of <br />dogs, such as shelter, water, and food. These provisions shall not apply <br />to certain organizations such as government agencies, non-profit animal <br />rescue organizations, etc. <br />The State of California enacted a new law effective January 1, 2007 to <br />prohibit any person from tethering, fastening, or otherwise restraining a <br />dog to a fixed object except in limited circumstances. This new law has <br />been incorporated into the ordinance under care and maintenance. <br />A new curbing requirement is proposed to prohibit any person from allowing <br />their dog to defecate in a public area or on private property without the <br />property owner's consent, without immediately removing the feces and <br />disposing of it in a sanitary manner. This requirement is essential for <br />the health and beautification of the community. <br />50A-1 <br />