HomeMy WebLinkAbout50A - AMEND CHAPTER 5 ASSESSMENT OF DOGSREQUEST FOR
COUNCIL ACTION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
APRIL 18, 2011
TITLE:
AMEND CHAPTER 5 OF SANTA ANA
MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING CARE,
TREATMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF
DOGS
CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDED ACTION
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
APPROVED
? As Recommended
? As Amended
? Ordinance on 1St Reading
? Ordinance on 2"d Reading
? Implementing Resolution
? Set Public Hearing For ,
CONTINUED TO
FILE NUMBER
Adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 5 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code to change the
procedure utilized by Santa Ana Police Department Animal Control Division regarding potentially
vicious dogs and the safety of animals.
DISCUSSION
The adoption of this ordinance will revise the language in Chapter 5 of the Santa Ana Municipal
Code as follows:
1. Sections 5-74 and 5-75 are deleted and moved to existing section 5-59 and new section 5-
59.1. These revisions make the language that is currently applicable only to noisy dogs
applicable to all noisy animals.
2. Section 5-62 is amended to clarify that commercial kennels are not allowed in residential
zones.
3. Section 5-72 creates a new process for dealing with potentially vicious dogs in line with the
procedures utilized by the County. State code allows the City to create whatever process it
wants, so long as it is as restrictive, if not more restrictive, than the state code.
4. Section 5-72.1 is added to define potentially dangerous and vicious dogs.
5. Section 5-76(d)(2) is amended to set a maximum length of time for tethering an animal from
"reasonably necessary" to no more than 3 hours in a 24 hour period.
6. Section 5-76(e) is added to make it unlawful to leave any animal stranded alone in a parked
vehicle in such a way to endanger the animal's health.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Paul M. Walters
Chief of Police
Police Department 5OA-1
5OA-2
(ROH xx/xx/xx)
ORDINANCE NO. NS-XXX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SANTA ANA AMENDING CHAP-TER 5 OF THE SANTA
ANA MUNICIPAL CODE. REGARDIN.Q. THE CARE,
TREATMENT, AND ASSESSMENT OF DOGS
THE CITY COUNCIL 01F THE CITY OF SANTA ANA DOES ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Citv Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines
and declares as follows:
A. [Animal Control Findings]
B. The Request for Council Action for this ordinance dated
shall by this reference be incorporated herein, and together
with this ordinance, any amendments or supplements and the oral
testimony before the City Council at this meeting, shall additionally
constitute the necessary findings for this ordinance.
C. All provisions of the Santa Ana Municipal Code which are repeated herein
are repeated solely in order to comply with the provisions of Section 418
of the City Charter. Any such restatement of existing provisions of the
Code is not intended, nor shall it be interpreted, as constituting a new
action or decision of the City Council, but rather such provisions are
repeated for tracking purposes only in conformance with the Charter.
Section 2. Section 5-59 of Chapter 5 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code is
amended to read as follows (new language underlined, deleted language in strikeout for
tracking purposes only):
Sec. 5-59. Noisy animals.
It is hereby declared to be a nuisance for any person to keep, maintain or permit on
any lot, parcel of land, or premises under his/her control any dog GF other animal, including
a barking dog as defined in section 5-1(g) within the city limits which is in the habit of
either disturbing the peace and quiet of any person within the city or interfering with any
person in the reasonable and comfortable enjoyment of life or property. Every day a
violation exists shall be regarded as a new and separate offense
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 1 of _
5OA-3
Section 3. Section 5-59.1 of Chapter 5 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code is
added to read as follows:
Sec. 5-59.1. Enforcement-Noisy Animals.
(a) Any enforcement officer has the authority to issue an administrative citation
pursuant to the procedures set forth in sections 1-21.1--1-21.9 of this Code to any
responsible person for a noisy animal, including a barking dog, violation that the
enforcement officer did not see or hear based upon a complaint signed under penalty of
perjury lodged by a member of the community who has been disturbed by the noisy
animal or barking dog. All noisy animal or barking dog complaints shall be lodged with the
Santa Ana Police Department.
(b) Prior to issuing the administrative citation to the responsible person the
enforcement officer shall send a warning notice via first class mail or shall personally serve
upon the responsible person a warning notice giving the responsible person ten (10) days
from the date of mailing or date of personal service in which to abate the public nuisance
caused by the noisy animal or barking dog.
(c) The administrative citation shall contain the information set forth in section 1-
21.5 of this Code.
(d) The responsible person shall have the right to appeal the administrative
citation as set forth in section 1-21.8 of this Code.
(e) The procedures established in this section may be in addition to criminal civil
or any other legal remedy established by law which may be pursued to address violations
of the municipal code.
Section 4. Section 5-62 of Chapter 5 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code is
amended to read as follows (new language underlined, deleted language in strikeout for
tracking purposes only):
Sec. 5-62. Commercial kennel requirements.
(a) No person shall establish, operate, maintain or have a commercial kennel
within the city without an inspection permit.
(b) No commercial kennels shall be allowed in any area zoned residential
pursuant to chapter 41 of this code.
Eb)Lcj Residential structures of one (1) story in height shall maintain a setback of
one hundred (100) feet from any preexisting outside kennel runs of a preexisting kennel,
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 2 of _
5OA-4
and commercial kennels shall also maintain a setback of one hundred (100) feet from any
preexisting residential structure.
(s)ue Residential structures of two (2) stories or more in height shall maintain a
setback of two hundred (200) feet from any preexisting commercial kennel, and
commercial kennels shall also maintain a setback of two hundred (200) feet from any
preexisting structure of two (2) or more stories. These provisions will not apply to anyone
who erects a residential structure of two (2) stories or more in height or to anyone who
erects a commercial kennel if, in erecting the structure or kennel, that person:
(1) Provides a barrier that will impair the vision between the kennels and the
residential structure to at least the same extent as if a two-hundred-foot
setback were used, and provides sufficient sound-retardant materials to
produce no more than the same decibel level than if a two-hundred-foot
setback was maintained. The decibel level shall be measured both at the
kennel and at the residential structure; or
(2) In the alternative, provides visual and sound standards that, in the opinion of
the director of planning and development services, are equal to or greater
than those required by the provisions of (1) above.
(d)jq) The residence of a commercial `kennel operator or owner shall not be
deemed a residential structure as applied in the language of this section.
(e)Mf The development and occupation of buildings for human habitation within
the distances prescribed above by others than the kennel owner or operator or grantees,
directly or indirectly, from or through the kennel _owner or operator following the proper
establishment of kennels, shall not render the maintenance of such preexisting kennels
unlawful by reason of the diminished separation of the kennel use and the use of buildings
for human habitation.
(€}L(Il Enforcement. The director of planning and development services shall not
approve for issuance any building permit until he has assured himself that the provisions of
this section have been met.
Section 5. Section 5-72 of Chapter 5 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code is
amended to read as follows (new language underlined, deleted language in strikeout for
tracking purposes only):
Sec. 5-72. Visiees--dogs Declaration and possession of vicious or potentially
dangerous dog.
(a) Whenever a dog has bitten, attempted to bite, brgkeR the skiR 9F othepw4se
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 3 of _
5OA-5
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Page 4 of _
50A-6
(a) General Provisions.
(1) If the Animal Services Officer or Police Officer has cause to believe that a
doq is a "vicious dog or potentially dangerous dog" within the meaning of
section 5-72.1, he or she may tentatively find and declare such dog a
"vicious dog or potentially dangerous dog."
(2) Upon tentatively finding and declaring that a dog is a "vicious dog or
potentially dangerous dog," the Animal Services Officer or Police Officer
shall notify the owner and/or custodian in writing of his or her tentative
finding and declaration.`
(3) The notice shall inform the owner and/or custodian of such dog that he or
she may request a hearing in writing in accordance with Chapter 3 of this
Code within ten (10) days of receipt of such notice to contest the tentative
finding and declaration.
(4) Failure of the owner and/or custodian to request a hearing pursuant to
subsection (a)(3) of this section or failure to comply with the conditions and
restrictions of the declaration shall result in the declaration becoming final
and may result in the destruction of the dog
(5) The possession or maintenance of a "vicious dog or potentially dangerous
dog," or the allowing of any such dog to be in contravention of this division
is hereby declared to be a public nuisance The Santa Ana Police
Department is hereby authorized and empowered to impound and/or abate
any "vicious dog or potentially dangerous dog" independently of any criminal
prosecution or the results thereof by any means reasonably necessary to
ensure the health safetv and welfare of the public including but not limited
to, the destruction of the dog or by the imposition upon the owner and/or
custodian of specific reasonable restrictions and conditions for the
maintenance of the dog. The restrictions and conditions may include but are
not limited to:
a. Obtaining and maintaining liability insurance in the amount of one
hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) against bodily injury or death
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 5 of _
5OA-7
or damage to property and furnishing a certificate or proof of
insurance by which the Santa Ana Police Department shall be
notified at least ten (10) days prior to cancellation or nonrenewal or,
at the owner's or custodian's option the filing with the Santa Ana
Police Department of proof of a bond in the amount of one hundred
thousand dollars (100,000.00) to be able to respond in damages
b. Requirements as to size construction and design of the dog's
enclosure.
C. Location of the dog's residence
d. Requirements as to type and method of restraints and/or muzzling of
the dog.
e. Photo identification or permanent marking of the dog for purposes of
identification, such as a tattoo or microchip may be required
f. Requirements as to the posting of a warning notice or notices
conspicuous to the public warning persons of the presence of a
vicious dog.
g. Payment of a fee or fees as established by resolution of the City
Council to recover the costs of enforcing the provisions of this Code
as applied to the regulation of vicious dogs
(b) Notification of Right to Hearing At least five (5) working days prior to
impoundment and/or abatement the owner or custodian shall be notified in writing of his or
her right to request a hearing in writing to determine whether grounds exist for such
impoundment and/or abatement. If a hearing is requested the impoundment and/or
abatement hearing may be held in conjunction with the hearing provided for in subsection
(a) of this section. If the owner or custodian requests a hearinq prior to impoundment
and/or abatement, no impoundment and/or abatement shall take place pending decision
following a -hearing, except as provided in subsection (c) of this section Pending such
impoundment and/or abatement hearing and decision the Santa Ana Police Department
may order the owner or custodian to keep the dog within a substantial enclosure as
deemed necessary under the circumstances The Santa Ana Police Department may also
order the owner or custodian to post and keep posted upon the premises where such dog
is kept under restraint a warning notice pending such impoundment and/or abatement
hearing and decision by the Superior Court. The form content and display of such notice
shall be specified by the Santa Ana Police Department Any hearing under this subsection
shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 3 of this Code
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 6 of _
5OA-8
(c) Immediate Impoundment When in the opinion of the Animal Services
Officer or Police Officer, immediate impoundment is necessary for the preservation of
animal or public health safetv or welfare or if the doq has been impounded under other
provisions of this Code or State law, the preimpoundment hearing shall not be required
however, the owner or custodian shall be given written notice allowing ten (10) days from
receipt of such notice to request in writina an abatement hearing If requested a hearing
shall be held within ten (10) workinq days of receipt of the request and the dog shall not
be disposed of prior to the decision following such hearing A hearing under this
subsection shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 3 of this Code except as
otherwise indicated. If, after ten (10) days following receipt of such notice no written
request for a hearing is received from the owner or custodian the dog in question shall be
disposed of under applicable provisions of law.
(d) Initial Hearing and Appeal
section shall be requested and conducted in accordance with
Chapter 3 of this Code unless otherwise stated herein
(2) Appeal. After any hearing conducted pursuant to subsection (1) any
party to the hearing may, within ten (10) days of the receipt of the
notice of determination appeal the decision of the hearinq entity of
original jurisdiction to the Orange County Superior Court. Any such
appeal shall be requested and conducted in accordance with
California Food and Agriculture Code sections 31601, et seq
(3) The Santa Ana Police Department shall have the discretion in any
event, to directly petition the Superior Court to seek a determination
whether or not the do in uestion should be declared otentiall
dangerous or vicious. The Santa Ana Police Department shall follow
the procedures set forth in California Food and Agriculture Code
sections 31601, et seq for this purpose
(e) Change of Circumstances In the event of changed circumstances the
Santa Ana Police Department may amend or rescind any abatement and/or impoundment
imposed pursuant to subsection (a)(5) of this section Any such revision to the abatement
and/or impoundment due to changed circumstances shall be subject to the same notice
hearing and other procedural requirements as required for imposing an initial abatement
and/or impoundment set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of this section
(f) Change of Ownership Custody and/or Residence Owners of a vicious dog
or potentially dangerous dog who sell or otherwise transfer the ownership custody or
residence of the dog shall at least ten (10) days prior to the sale or transfer, inform the
Santa Ana Police Department in writing of the name address and telephone number of
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 7 of _
5OA-9
the new owner, custodian and/or residence and the name and description of the do a. The
owner shall, in addition notifv the new owner or custodian in writing of the details of the
dog's record, terms and conditions of maintenance and provide the Santa Ana Police
Department with a copy thereof containing an acknowledgment by the new owner or
custodian of his or her receipt of the original The Santa Ana Police Department shall notify
the new owner or custodian in writing of any different or additional restrictions or conditions
imposed pursuant to subsection (a)(5) of this section as a result of the change of
ownership, custodv or residence The imposition of any such different or additional
restrictions or conditions shall be subject to the same notice hearing and other procedural
requirements as required for imposing an initial abatement and/or impoundment set forth
in subsections (b) and (c) of this section
(g) Possession Unlawful It is unlawful to have custody of own or possess a
s dog or potentially dangerous dog within the meaning of section 5-72.1 unless it is
fined, confined or muzzled so that it cannot bite attack or cause iniurv to any person
a
i i IaI VG UGJII UyCU.
be unlawful for
n
Section 6. Section 5-72.1 of Chapter 5 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code is
added to read as follows:
Sec. 5-72.1. Definitions.
(a) Potentially dangerous dog means any of the following:
(1) Any dog which, when unprovoked, after two (2) separate documented bites
within the prior thirty-six-month period, engages in any behavior that requires
a defensive action' by any person to prevent bodily injury whether the person
and the dog are on or off the property of the owner or custodian of the dog.
(2) Any dog which, when unprovoked, bites a person causing any injury less
severe than a "severe injury." Severe injury means any physical injury to a
human being that results in muscle tears or disfiguring lacerations or
requires multiple sutures or corrective or cosmetic surgery.
(3) Any dog which, when unprovoked, has killed, seriously bitten, inflicted injury,
or otherwise caused injury attacking a domestic animal, horse, or livestock.
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 8 of _
50A-10
(b) Vicious dog means any of the following:
(1) Any dog seized as a "fighting animal" under section 599aa of the Penal
Code and upon the sustaining of a conviction of the owner or custodian of a
fighting animal as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 597.5 of the Penal
Code.
(2) Any dog which, when unprovoked, in an aggressive manner, inflicts severe
injury on or kills a human being, whether the person and the dog are on or
off the property of the owner or custodian of the dog.
(3) Any dog previously determined to be and currently listed as a potentially
dangerous dog, which, after its owner or keeper has been notified of this
determination, continues the behavior of a "potentially dangerous dog" as
set forth above, or is maintained in violation of the conditions and restrictions
placed upon the dog as a "potentially dangerous dog."
(c) Provided, no dog may be determined to be a vicious dog if any such bite,
threat, injury or damage was sustained by a person who, at the time, was committing a
willful trespass upon the premises occupied by the owner or custodian of the dog, or was
committing or attempting to commit a crime upon the premises occupied by the owner or
custodian of the dog, or was teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog or who
has, in the past, teased, tormented, abused or assaulted the dog.
(d) These definitions do not apply to dogs used in military or police work while
they are actually performing in that capacity.
Section 7: That section 5-74 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code is hereby deleted
in its entirety (new language underlined, deleted language in strikeout for tracking
purposes only):
Sec. 5-74. Reserved.
to ^fe^°o
Section 8: That section 5-75 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code is hereby deleted
in its entirety (new language underlined, deleted language in strikeout for tracking
purposes only):
Sec. 5-75. Reserved. EnfGFGemeRt--l3aFk*nq deg-.
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 9 of _
50A-11
Section 9. Section 5-76 of Chapter 5 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code is
amended to read as follows (new language underlined, deleted language in strikeout for
tracking purposes only):
Sec. 5-76. Care and maintenance of dogs
(a) Shelter requirements. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, house, or
maintain any dog outdoors on any premises within the City of Santa Ana unless the dog
has access at all times to an enclosed building or a shelter which meets all of the following
requirements:
(1) It is weatherproof meaning that it keeps the dog dry when it rains and
provides sufficient protection from the sun so that the dog will not overheat;
(2) It has a floor that is level and dry;
(3) It is composed of material that will not result in injury to the dog;
(4) It is maintained in a condition that will not result in injury to the dog;
(5) It contains bedding material which is kept clean and dry;
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 10 of _
5OA-12
(6) It allows the dog easy access in and out;
(7) It is cleaned and maintained in a manner designed to insure sanitary
conditions, including but not limited to, removal of excrement, removal of
urine, and treatment of area for flies, fleas, ticks, and parasites as
necessary.
(b) Water requirements. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, house, or
maintain any dog on any premises within the City of Santa Ana unless the dog has access
at all times to clean and fresh drinking water.
(1) If the water is in a container, this container shall be designed, secured,
placed and maintained in a manner that prevents tipping and spilling of the
water;
(2) Water containers shall be kept clean and sanitary, out of the sun, and shall
be emptied and refilled regularly with fresh water.
(c) Feeding requirements. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, house, or
maintain any dog on any premises within the City of Santa Ana without providing food
daily to maintain proper body weight and good general health, The food shall be:
(1) Free from contamination;
(2) Wholesome, palatable, and of sufficient quality, quantity, and nutritive value
to meet the normal daily requirements for the age, size, and breed of the
dog;
(3) Easily accessible to the dog;
(4) Maintained in a sanitary condition.
(d) Tethering requirements. It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, fasten,
chain, tie, restrain or cause a dog to be fastened, chained, tied or restrained to a house,
tree, garage, stake, fence, or other object except in circumstances where all of the
following requirements are met:
(1) The tethering, fastening, chaining, tying, and restraining is not accomplished
by means of using a choke type of collar;
(2) The tethering, fastening, chaining, tying or restraining does not last lenge
shall not exceed three (3) hours in any twenty-four (24) hour period,
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 11 of _
50A-13
(3) The length of the tether or implement used to restrain the dog is not less
than three (3) times the length of the dog's body measured from the tip of
the dog's nose to the end of the dog's tail;
(4) The tether or implement used to restrain the dog is free from entanglement;
(5) The dog has access to water, food, and shelter as described in this section;
(6) The dog is monitored periodically.
(e) Leaving in unattended vehicle. It shall be unlawful for any person to leave
any animal in any standing or parked vehicle in such a way to endanger the animal's
health, safe or welfare. An animal control officer or police officer is authorized to use
reasonable force to remove the animal from the vehicle whenever it appears that the
animal's health, safety or welfare is or will be endangered if the owner of the vehicle
cannot be located after reasonable attempts The animal shall be taken to the shelter or to
a veterinarian if the animal is in distress A written notice bearing the name of the officer
removing the animal, a telephone number where the officer can be contracted and the
location where the animal may be claimed by the owner shall be attached to the vehicle
Any person violating this section shall bear the full cost and expense incurred by the city in
the care, medical treatment, impoundment cost and/or disposal of said animal including
removal from and/or damage done to the vehicle
fe}Mf Exceptions. These provisions of this section shall not apply to the following:
(1) Government agencies;
(2) Non-profit animal rescue organizations exempt from taxation under Internal
Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3);
(3) Humane societies or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals if
incorporated under the provisions of the California Corporations Code
Section 10400 and the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law in Part 2 of
the California Corporations Code, beginning at Section 5110; or
(4) Permitted dog or cat shows.
Section 10. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this
ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any
court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this ordinance. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby declares that it
would have adopted this ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 12 of _
5OA-14
or portion thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections,
sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
ADOPTED this day of
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Joseph Straka, City Attorney
By:
Ryan O. Hodge, Assistant City Attorney
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
NOT PRESENT:
, 2011
Miguel A. Pulido
Mayor
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 13 of _
Councilmembers
Councilmembers
Councilmembers
Councilmembers
5OA-15
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, MARIA D. HUIZAR, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify that the
attached Ordinance No. NS-XXX to be the original ordinance adopted by the City
Council of the City of Santa Ana on , and that said ordinance was
published in accordance with the Charter of the City of Santa Ana.
Date:
Clerk of the Council
City of Santa Ana
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 14 of _
5OA-16