This chapter establishes the Animal Services Division, and the functions, duties, and conduct of employees.
(A) In order to protect the public health and to effectively control, regulate and provide for animals within the city, there is hereby created the Animal Services Division within the City Administration Department. This Division shall consist of a Shelter Manager, one or more Animal Services Officers, and such other personnel as shall be assigned by the City Manager or Assistant City Manager.
(B) The Animal Services Division shall enforce all laws and ordinances in the city pertaining to the licensing, registration, keeping, treatment, impounding, and regulation of animals within the city. In every case and instance wherein the keeping or the existence of animals presents a health hazard, or threat to the public health, the Animal Services Division shall have concurrent jurisdiction with County Health Department.
(C) The Shelter Manager shall manage the city’s animal shelter, or the city may contract with one or more private entities for the purpose of operating a shelter. The Shelter Manager shall keep such records and make such reports concerning the activities of the Animal Services Division as may be required by ordinance, the City Manager or the Assistant City Manager.
(D) It shall be the duty of the members of the Animal Services Division to enforce the ordinances of the city applicable to domesticated and wild animals, to conduct themselves in a proper and law-abiding manner, and to avoid the use of unnecessary force on animals in the possession or control of the Animal Services Division.
(E) For the purpose of discharging the duties imposed by this chapter and to enforce its provisions, any Animal Services Officer or police officer is empowered, at all reasonable times and upon presentation of appropriate credentials, to enter upon any premises upon which the animal is kept or harbored, and to demand the exhibition of the certificate of vaccination for the animal. It is further provided that any Animal Services Officer may enter, at all reasonable times and upon the presentation of proper credentials, the premises where an animal is kept in an allegedly cruel or inhumane manner, and demand to examine and impound the animal when, in his or her opinion, humane treatment is required. No employee, however, may enter a private residence for purposes of making an inspection under this chapter, without first receiving permission from a lawful adult occupant of the residence, or being authorized to inspect the residence by a magistrate or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction upon showing of a probable violation of law.
(F) No person shall interfere with or hinder any Animal Services Division employee in the performance of his or her duty.
(G) The Shelter Manager will maintain a monthly report of the total number of animals impounded, the total number redeemed, the total number euthanized, and the number remaining in the pound.
(Ord. 92-08, passed 4-23-92; Am. Ord. 2011-30, passed 9-13-11; Am. Ord. 2014-30, passed 11-18-14) Penalty, see § 10.99