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(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.
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