(A) Authority: Each animal control officer shall have, and is hereby vested with the authority of a public officer. The animal control officers may, in the performance of their duties, enter upon any property pursuant to law, to ascertain if any of the provisions of this Chapter or any State laws relating to disease, care, treatment, or cruelty to animals are being violated. Each animal control officer may issue citations for the violation of the provisions of this Chapter, any State law, or City ordinance in the manner prescribed by the ordinance, and remove animals from said premises if they deem necessary. The authority to issue citations in the manner prescribed by the City shall be alternative to any other authority provided by law.
(B) Police Powers: Any animal control officer of the City shall have police powers in the enforcement of this Chapter and no person shall interfere with, hinder, molest or abuse any animal control officer of the City in the exercise of such powers.
(C) Animal Control Devices: In the performance of duties for the control of animals, the Animal Control Officer shall have the authority to employ the use of the tranquilizer gun or other animal control devices in common use within the State of California.
(D) Quarantine Of Suspected Animal: Whenever the owner of any animal shall observe or learn that the animal has rabies; has symptoms of rabies; has been exposed to rabies or has acted in a manner which would lead him to suspect that it might have rabies, the owner shall immediately notify the Pound Master and shall allow the Pound Master to make an inspection or examination of the animal. Whenever it appears to the Pound Master that the animal has rabies or has been exposed to rabies, he shall quarantine the animal until it shall be established to his satisfaction that the animal has or does not have rabies.
(E) Destruction Of Rabid Animals: If it appears to the Pound Master that an animal has rabies, he shall cause same to be destroyed in a lawful manner, which may include destroying the animal immediately if this is the only method available to contain the animal. (Ord. 97-5, 8-18-1997)