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It shall be the duty of the General Manager of the Department and the General Manager is hereby authorized and empowered to issue and sign a death warrant and order the destruction by any employee of the Department, of any animal lawfully taken into custody of the Department which in the opinion of the General Manager is, by reason of old age, unfit for further use, or which is infected with any dangerous or communicable disease, or which is in an incurably crippled condition, or which is adjudged by a written report of a licensed veterinarian to be afflicted with any painful or incurable disease. (Amended by Ord. No. 133,983, Eff. 4/10/67.)
The General Manager shall issue and sign a death warrant for and authorize the destruction by a police officer or other person of any animal inflicted with any dangerous or communicable disease or which is in an incurable crippled condition.
(Amended by Ord. No. 148,943, Eff. 11/25/76.)
(a) No person, owning or having custody or control of any dog, other than a sentry dog, or any other animal known by such person to be vicious or dangerous, shall permit it to run at large, or permit it to run loose on or within the premises of such person in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any person lawfully entering such premises. For the purposes of this section “sentry dog” shall mean a dog trained to work without supervision in a fenced facility to deter or to detain persons found within the facility.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code, no owner or person charged with custody or control of a sentry dog shall assign or work such dog on a premises, unless said premises is posted to warn of sentry dog activity. Said warning shall consist of signs placed at 50-foot intervals around the perimeter of the area guarded by the sentry dog and at all entrances and exits to said area. Such signs shall measure 10" x 14" and shall contain black lettering on a white background stating “WARNING - SENTRY DOG ON DUTY,” and shall also depict the head of a dog with bared fangs. In addition the sign shall set forth the name, address and telephone number of the sentry dog company furnishing the dog for hire. The telephone number shall be a telephone which is staffed by a person 24 hours a day every day of the year.
(Title amended by Ord. No. 162,537, Eff. 8/8/87.) (Section amended by Ord. No. 162,748, Eff. 9/24/87.)
A person who owns or is in charge of or controls or who possesses a dog or other animal who permits, allows or causes the dog or other animal to run, stray, be uncontrolled or in any manner be in, upon, or at large upon a public street, sidewalk, park or other public property or in or upon the premises or private property of another person is guilty of a misdemeanor if said dog or other animal bites, attacks or causes injury to any human being or other animal.
Any person convicted under this section or Section 53.33 shall not own, possess, control or be in charge of any animal of the species which caused the bite, attack or injury for a period of three (3) years from the date of conviction. The Department shall not issue or renew any license or permit for said species of animal, except that upon the written request of the person so convicted, the General Manager may authorize the issuance of a dog license pursuant to the provisions of Section 53.15(b).
(Added by Ord. No. 168,864, Eff. 7/7/93.)
No person, owning or having custody or control of any dog, whether or not restrained by a substantial chain or leash, shall permit the dog to unlawfully assault, threaten or menace any human being or other animal upon any public street, sidewalk, park or other public property, or in or upon the premises or private property of another.
(Added by Ord. No. 162,537, Eff. 8/8/87.)
(a) The Department shall have the power to summarily and immediately impound a dog or other animal where there is evidence it has attacked, bitten or injured any human being or other animal pending any court or dog license or animal permit revocation proceeding arising from the attack, bite or injury; or to undertake a hearing pursuant to Section 53.34.4. A duly authorized Department employee may enter and inspect private property to enforce the provisions of this section as provided by Section 53.03 of this article.
Failure to surrender to the Department upon demand a dog or other animal which is subject to being impounded pursuant to this section is a misdemeanor.
A dog or other animal, impounded pursuant to the authority of this section, shall be returned to the owner or custodian as provided by Section 53.34.4 or when it is no longer required as evidence, or if a notice of a hearing pursuant to Section 53.34.4 to declare the dog or other animal a dangerous animal has not been served on the owner or custodian within seven days after the impoundment.
(b) In lieu of impound, the General Manager may permit the dog or other animal to be confined at the owner’s or custodian’s expense in a Department approved dog kennel or veterinary facility within the City or at the owner’s or custodian’s residence provided that the owner or custodian:
1. Shall not remove the dog or other animal from the kennel, veterinary facility or residence without the prior written approval of the General Manager or the General Manager’s authorized representative; and
2. Shall make the dog or other animal available for observation and inspection by Department personnel or members of law enforcement or their authorized representatives.
(c) The General Manager or the General Manager’s designated representative may have a dog or other animal, impounded or confined as provided in (a) or (b) above, permanently identified by means of photo identification prior to release from impound or confinement.
(Added by Ord. No. 181,930, Eff. 12/11/11.)
(a) Following a hearing in accordance with Section 53.18.5 or Section 53.34.4, if the Hearing Examiner determines that the bite, attack or injury was the result of improper or negligent training, handling or maintenance, and that the owner or custodian is able and willing to properly train, handle or maintain the dog and that a similar incident is not likely to occur if the terms, conditions and restrictions are followed, the Hearing Examiner may recommend that a Restricted Dog Permit be issued as part of the terms, conditions or restrictions pursuant to Subsection (l) of Section 53.18.5, to include, but not limited to, some or all of the following additional terms, conditions or restrictions to protect the public health, safety and welfare:
1. That in addition to the dog license tax and fee, the owner shall pay a Restricted Dog Permit fee of $120.00 annually, which is subject to reassessment in accordance with Section 53.12 (a).
2. That the dog owner obtain and maintain liability insurance in an amount not less than $100,000 or in an amount determined by the City’s Risk Manager, provide proof of insurance and notify the City at least thirty (30) days prior to cancellation or non-renewal of the insurance coverage.
3. Post warning signs at all property entrances and notify the occupants of the adjacent property and/or within a 150 foot radius of the Restricted Dog Permit.
4. That the dog not be transferred or placed in the custody of another person without the written consent of the General Manager, except in a licensed dog kennel or with a California licensed veterinarian. The dog owner must notify any transferee, kennel, veterinarian or other custodian that the dog is subject to a Restricted Dog Permit.
5. Other terms, conditions and restrictions may include but are not limited to the training, handling and maintenance of the dog, the wearing of a muzzle, properly securing the owner’s or custodian’s property and that the dog only be walked by the owner or another responsible adult.
6. That the dog owner and custodian, if separate from the owner, sign a declaration that they will abide by the terms, conditions and restrictions of the license and the Restricted Dog Permit.
(b) A Restricted Dog Permit shall not be issued for a dog that has fatally injured a human being or to a dog owner if any current or previously owned dog of that owner has fatally injured a human being.
(c) A Restricted Dog Permit may be rescinded by the General Manager if the owner demonstrates that measures taken by the owner or changed circumstances have mitigated the danger to the public, including the permanent removal of the dog from the City.
(d) The Department may amend or revoke a Restricted Dog Permit and the dog license following a hearing if the owner has failed to comply with the terms, conditions or restrictions of the Permit or of the dog license.
(Added by Ord. No. 162,537, Eff. 8/8/87.)
(b) Dangerous Animal – Declared. The Department, after a hearing, may declare any dog or other animal to be a dangerous animal whenever it has bitten, attacked or caused injury to any human being or other animal.
(c) Determination of Dangerous Animal – Evidence. In making a determination that a dog or other animal is or is not dangerous, evidence of the following shall be considered:
1. Any previous history of the dog or other animal attacking, biting or causing injury to a human being or other animal;
2. The nature and extent of injuries inflicted and the number of victims involved;
3. The place where the bite, attack or injury occurred;
4. The presence or absence of any provocation for the bite, attack or injury;
5. The extent to which property has been damaged or destroyed;
6. Whether the dog or other animal exhibits any characteristics of being trained for fighting or attack or other evidence to show such training or fighting;
7. Whether the dog or other animal exhibits characteristics of aggressive or unpredictable temperament or behavior in the presence of human beings or dogs or other animals;
8. Whether the dog or other animal can be effectively trained or retrained to change its temperament or behavior;
9. The manner in which the dog or other animal had been maintained by is owner or custodian;
10. Any other relevant evidence concerning the maintenance of the dog or other animal;
11. Any other relevant evidence regarding the ability of the owner or custodian, or the Department, to protect the public safety in the future if the dog or other animal is permitted to remain in the City.
(d) Dangerous Animal – Disposition.
1. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, harbor or keep any dog or other animal declared by the Department, after a hearing, to be dangerous.
2. Any dog or other animal declared by the Department to be dangerous, if not already impounded by the Department, shall be immediately surrendered to the Department, and it is the duty of the Department to take up and impound any such dog or other animal.
3. (Amended by Ord. No. 164,477, Eff. 3/27/89.) Any dog, or other animal, declared to be a dangerous animal shall be humanely destroyed. The General Manager shall sign an order authorizing the destruction of the dog or other animal within two (2) days after the time for appeal as provided in Section 53.18.5(q)3 has passed without an appeal being filed.
In the event the Board has received and heard an appeal and made a determination that the dog or other animal is a dangerous animal, copies of that Board action shall be served upon the General Manager and appellant. Upon expiration of five days after completion of said service, the General Manager shall sign an order authorizing destruction of said dog or other animal.
(e) Dog or Other Animal – Not Dangerous – Procedure. (Amended by Ord. No. 162,748, Eff. 9/24/87.) If it is determined that the dog or other animal is not dangerous, but that the bite, attack or injury was the result of improper or negligent training, handling or maintenance, the dog license or animal permit may:
1. Be revoked if it is determined that the owner or custodian is unable or unwilling to properly train, handle or maintain the dog or other animal and a similar incident is likely to occur in the future without proper training, handling or maintenance, or
2. Be reissued with reasonable terms, conditions or restrictions imposed for the training, handling or maintenance of the dog or other animal to protect the public health, safety and welfare if it is determined that the owner or custodian is able and willing to properly train, handle or maintain the dog or other animal and a similar incident is not likely to occur in the future with proper training, handling or maintenance.
(f) Revoked License – Previously Impounded or Confined.
1. If a dog or other animal has been impounded or confined pursuant to Section 53.34.2 and its license or permit has been revoked pursuant to (e)1 above and the owner or custodian wishes to reclaim and remove it from the City of Los Angeles, the Department shall release it provided that the notice provisions of Section 53.18.5(p) are complied with prior to its release and further provided that the dog or other animal is taken to its new location immediately and directly upon its release from impound or confinement. Failure to remove the dog or other animal immediately and directly from the City upon release from impound or confinement is a misdemeanor.
2. Any dog or other animal which has previously been impounded or otherwise confined and which has not been claimed within five (5) calendar days of service of a notice of revocation of its license or permit shall be deemed abandoned and shall be disposed of by the Department in accordance with this article. Notwithstanding the above, the owner may enter into a written agreement with the Department to take additional time to remove, or to cause the dog or other animal to be removed, to a new location outside the City. Such additional time shall not exceed ten (10) days. For each additional day agreed to, the pound fees required by Section 53.12 shall be paid prior to the release of the dog or other animal.
(g) Animal Identification. Any dog or other animal subject to this section must be permanently identified by the Department by the use of photographs or permanent marking, or both, prior to its release from impound or confinement.
(h) New License Prohibited. (Amended by Ord. No. 165,507, Eff. 3/25/90.) Any person whose dog or other animal has been declared dangerous or whose license or permit has been revoked pursuant to this section shall not have the privilege to own, posses, control or be in charge of any animal of the species whose license or permit has been revoked or whose animal has been declared dangerous for a period of three (3) years from the date the decision becomes final and the Department shall not issue, re-issue or renew any license or permit except that a dog license may be issued as provided by Section 53.18.5(r).
No person shall transport or carry on the running board of any motor vehicle or outside of the portion of any motor vehicle designed for passengers or of the tonneau or body thereof any animal unless such animal is protected by a framework or other device which will prevent such animal from falling off or being thrown from such motor vehicle during the operation thereof.
No person shall hinder, resist or oppose the General Manager or employees or representatives of the Department or any police officer in the performance of their duties under this article, or conceal or secrete any unlicensed dog from any such officer or person. (Amended by Ord. No. 133,983, Eff. 4/10/67.)
The provisions of Sections 53.15 and 53.15.3 shall not apply to any dog owned by, or in charge or care of, any person who is a non-resident of this City and either traveling through this City or temporarily residing in this City for a period not to exceed thirty days or to any dog brought temporarily to this City for the exclusive purpose of entering the animal in a bench show or dog exhibition and kept exclusively at such bench show or dog exhibition while in this City. (Amended by Ord. No. 162,538, Eff. 8/27/87.)
(Amended by Ord. No. 133,983, Eff. 4/10/67.)
No person shall have, keep or maintain any wild, exotic, dangerous or non-domestic animal or reptile without first applying to and receiving from the Department a permit so to do.
Provided, however, that the keeping or maintenance of such animals shall conform to the zoning regulations set forth in Article 2, Chapter 1 of this Code.
(Amended by Ord. No. 133,983, Eff. 4/10/67.)
The Department is hereby invested with the authority to issue permits to any person for the keeping or maintaining of any wild, exotic, dangerous or non-domestic animal or reptile when, in the opinion of the General Manager, any such animal or reptile may be kept or maintained without menacing the safety of any person or property; provided, however, that the Department may require any such animal or reptile to be properly caged or secured or may make additional rules or regulations regulating the keeping or maintaining of any such animal or reptile, and may revoke any such permit for any violation of any of the provisions of this article or of any of the rules and regulations of the Department, or when, in the opinion of the General Manager, the safety of any person or property is menaced by the keeping of any such animal or reptile.
Provided further, that the Department shall also have authority to issue permits for the keeping or maintaining, on a temporary basis, of all types of wild animals or reptiles in connection with a circus, amusement enterprise or animal exhibition when located in a zone wherein such uses are permitted pursuant to Article 2, Chapter 1 of this Code.
Revocation of permits shall follow the procedure outlined in Sec. 22.02 of this Code.
(Added by Ord. No. 186,556, Eff. 4/14/20.)
(a) Definitions.
1. Circus or Performing Animal Show. An exhibition in which a Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal is required to perform tricks, give rides, or participate as accompaniment for the entertainment, amusement, or benefit of a live audience, whether or not a fee is charged.
2. Conservation or Educational Presentation. A presentation by a Zoo, wildlife conservation center, qualified professional animal handler, educator, or scientist pursuant to a permit issued by the Department in accordance with this section that includes a Wild or Exotic Animal or a Dangerous Animal, the purpose of which is to educate and teach respect and responsible behavior for the conservation and protection of wildlife and the environment, animal behavior, habitat, and life cycle, as well as the humane treatment of Wild or Exotic Animals and Dangerous Animals. A presentation with a Wild or Exotic Animal or with a Dangerous Animal is not permitted in any location with amplified music, where alcohol is available, or where the Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal is to perform tricks or behaviors that does not naturally occur in the wild for that animal.
3. Dangerous Animal. A Wild or Exotic Animal belonging to, but not limited to, the mammalian, amphibian, or reptilian families that is potentially dangerous by nature as a species and poses an inherent risk of harm to human health or safety because of its strength, size, physical characteristics, instinctual behavior or risk of disease transmission, including, but not limited to, Order Felidae: Panthera (lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars), mountain lions, cheetahs, and any hybrid thereof, Order Carnivora (Canidae: Wolves, Ursidae: Bears, Hyaenidae: Hyena), elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, moose, bison, giraffe, and certain nonhuman primates such as a gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan, baboon, macaque, as well as non-venomous reptiles over 8 feet in length, and venomous reptiles.
4. Filming. Filming pursuant to a City film permit, and a permit to film with animals issued by the Department pursuant to Section 53.50
of this Code.
5. Wild or Exotic Animal. An animal of a non-domesticated order or family, whether the animal was bred in the wild or in captivity, and any hybrid of a Wild or Exotic animal belonging to, but not limited to, the mammalian, amphibian, or reptilian families and any hybrid thereof.
6. Zoo. An entity that exhibits a Wild or Exotic Animal and possesses the requisite permits from the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Fish & Wildlife, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, and all other required City, State, and Federal permits.
(b) Exhibition of a Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal. It shall be unlawful for any person to exhibit a Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal beyond the location specified in a permit issued pursuant to Section 53.50
of this Code, except in compliance with an off-site exhibition permit authorized by this section, available only for Filming or a Conservation or Educational Presentation. Public contact with a Dangerous Animal in connection with a Conservation or Educational Presentation is prohibited.
(c) Permit Application. A permit issued by the Department shall be required for the off-site exhibition of a Wild or Exotic Animal or a Dangerous Animal. The application shall include the following:
1. The applicant shall provide a copy of all required Federal, State, and local permits, including, if applicable, a film permit or an animal rental permit.
2. The applicant shall describe the safeguards for the humane treatment and safe transportation of each animal and for the safety of the public.
3. The applicant shall attest that each animal owner, handler, and anyone connected with or responsible for the exhibition of the Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal has not been convicted of animal abuse, neglect, or cruelty.
4. If applicable, the applicant shall provide the names and contact information for the owner and/or the rental company from which each Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal was obtained.
5. For Filming, the applicant also shall provide the Department with a copy of the City film permit; a copy of the Department film permit issued pursuant to Section 53.50; the date, time, and location of the Filming; the age, type, and number of Wild or Exotic Animals and Dangerous Animals; and a description of the scenes where the Wild or Exotic Animal and/or Dangerous Animal will be used.
6. For a Conservation or Educational Presentation that includes a Dangerous Animal, the applicant also shall provide the Department with the date time, location, and purpose of the exhibition; the age, type, and number of Dangerous Animals to be exhibited; and the age, type and number of any other animals present. The applicant shall submit the completed application at least ten calendar days prior to the Conservation or Educational Presentation. Upon good cause, the Department may approve an application submitted within fewer days.
7. The applicant shall provide proof of insurance in an amount and form acceptable to the City’s risk manager.
8. The applicant shall provide any additional information requested by the Department, including, but not limited to, information requested by the Department following the Department’s consultation with governmental agencies, such as the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department, federal or state agencies.
(d) Permit Duration. The Department may issue an annual off-site permit pursuant to this section for a Conservation or Educational Presentation that does not include a Dangerous Animal. A permit for an off-site Conservation or Educational Presentation with a Dangerous Animal shall be limited to the date, time, and location of the Conservation or Educational Presentation. A filming permit issued by the Department for Filming shall be limited to the date, time, and location of the scenes involving the Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal.
(e) Prohibition – Circus or Performing Animal Show. No person shall exhibit, and the Department shall not issue a permit for, a Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal in connection with a Circus or a Performing Animal Show.
(f) Prohibition – Loud or Unruly Gathering. No person shall exhibit a Wild or Exotic Animal or a Dangerous Animal for, or in conjunction with, a house party or loud or unruly gathering as defined in Section 41.58.1 of this Code. The Department shall not issue a permit under this section to any person who in the prior two years has been convicted, pleaded no contest, failed to appear, or forfeited bail in connection with a violation of Section 41.58.1. The Department shall not issue a permit under this section for the exhibition of a Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal on any property used in the last two years for, or in conjunction with, a house party or loud or unruly gathering as defined in Section 41.58.1.
(g) Rules and Regulations. The General Manager may promulgate additional definitions, rules, and regulations necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this article.
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