For the purpose of this article, the following words and phrases are defined and shall be construed as hereinafter set out unless it shall be apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended.
“Animal” shall mean any animal, poultry, bird, reptile, fish or any other dumb creature.
“Board” shall mean the Board of Animal Services Commissioners unless otherwise specifically designated.
“Cat” shall mean any cat of either sex, of any age.
“Cat Kennel” shall mean any premises, including any Dwelling Unit as defined in Section 12.03, or any lot, building, structure, enclosure, or premises that does not constitute a Dwelling Unit, where six (6) or more cats at least four (4) months of age are kept or maintained, with the exception of a Pet Shop. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,864, Eff. 1/21/21.)
“Department” shall mean the Department of Animal Services unless otherwise specifically designated.
“Dog” shall mean any dog of either sex, of any age.
“Dog Kennel” shall mean any lot, building, structure, enclosure or premises where four or more dogs at least four (4) months of age are kept or maintained, with the exception of a pet shop. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,816, Eff. 1/19/14.)
“General Manager” shall mean General Manager of the Department.
“Impounded” shall mean having been received into the custody of the Municipal pound or into the custody of the Department or any authorized agent or representative thereof.
“Kennel” shall mean any lot, building, structure, enclosure or premises where four or more dogs at least four (4) months of age are kept or maintained, with the exception of a pet shop. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,816, Eff. 1/19/14.)
“Pet Shop” or “Pet Store” shall mean any retail or commercial establishment, store or department of any store, or any place of business open to the public where dogs, cats, rabbits, monkeys, birds, reptiles or any other animals are kept and offered for adoption or sale, for hire, or sold, irrespective of the age of the animals, provided that the facility operates pursuant to a pet shop permit issued by the Department, and is not used for the breeding of dogs, cats or rabbits or the commercial boarding of animals. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,816, Eff. 1/19/14.)
“Unlicensed Dog” shall mean any dog for which the license for the current year has not been paid or whose license has been revoked by the Department. (Amended by Ord. No. 162,538, Eff. 8/27/87.)
“Vaccination” or “Vaccination Against Rabies”, shall mean inoculation of a dog with a vaccine approved by and in a manner prescribed by the State Department of Public Health. (Amended by Ord. No. 162,538, Eff. 8/27/87.)
“Zoo” shall mean any place where a collection of wild animals, or wild and domesticated animals, are kept for exhibition or for view by the public.
The Department of Animal Services (formerly, “Department of Animal Regulation”) has the power and duty to enforce all ordinances of the City of Los Angeles and penal laws of the State relative to the care and impoundment of dumb animals, for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and to enforce ordinances relative to the payment of money for licenses for animals within the City.
The Department is no longer included in the Charter. Its powers and duties may be changed or eliminated by ordinance. Charter § 115.