f:\atty\muni\strpts\mjm\animalsamend. doc
CityCouncilMeeting8-3-04 SantaMonica, California
TO: MayorandCityCouncil
FROM: CityStaff
SUBJECT: OrdinanceAmendingSantaMonicaMunicipalCodeSections4.04.150 and4.04.160, andAddingSections4.04.155, 4.04.165, 4.04.166and
4.04.415totheMunicipal CodeRestrictingAnimalsAtLarge, Regulating DogsonPublicProperty, Prohibiting DogsinSpecifiedAreasandFeeding inOff-LeashAreas, andModifyingProvisionsonViciousDogs
Introduction
Theattachedproposedordinance wouldrevise, updateandclarifycertainMunicipal Codeprovisions applicable todogsandanimalsatlarge. Amongotherthings, the ordinancewouldpermitdogsonleashes inallbutspecified areasofCityparks, prohibit allowinganimals tobeinunenclosed areasofprivateproperty, createcertain exceptions tolocationrestrictionsondogs, imposenewrestrictions uponfeedingdogs inoff-leashareas, restrictfeedingotheranimalsonstreetsandsidewalkandinparks, andprovideforreviewofspecifiedAnimalControlOfficerdeterminations. The ordinance wouldalsoeliminatecertainantiquated provisions, includingthepresumption thatpitbullsarevicious, andwouldeliminateoverlapping provisions. Theattached ordinance ispresented totheCityCouncilforfirstreading.
Background
Staffhasreceivedcomplaints andsuggestions foramendments totheMunicipal Code provisionsondogsandotheranimals. MuchofthisinputcomesfromCityresidents. 1 DogparkusershavecomplainedtoCommunity andCulturalServices staffandAnimal Controlthatbringingfoodintotheoff-leashareasposesrisks. Dogsoftendescend uponthefoodenmassewhichcreatesasignificant likelihood ofaggression and conflict. Alsosomedogsmustadheretostrictdiets, whichpreclude ingestion of unauthorized ?treats? offeredorleftbehindbywell-meaning parkvisitors.
Additionally, someresidents havesuggested enhancing theiropportunities forusing publicspacewiththeirdogs. Otherresidents havecomplained thatdogsshouldnotbe allowedtowanderontotheirprivateproperty. Otherresidentshaveaskedabout changingthelicensecyclesothatalllicenseswouldnotbeissuedinJanuaryand changing therequirement ofarabiesshoteverythreeyears.
CityAnimalControlofficershavealsomadesuggestions. Specifically, theyhave suggested prohibiting dogsonthePierandtheThirdStreetPromenade inorderto protecthealthandsafety. Thoseareasareoftencrowdedwithpedestrians and, even leasheddogsmayoccupyorrequireawideberth. Moreover, toddlers, whoareoften curiousandtendtograbthingstheywishtoexplore, mayencounterdogs ?headto head?. Moreover, thePromenade andPieraffordnoappropriate placefordogsto urinateordefecateandwastetendstobewashedintostormdrains. Finally, itisdifficult tokeepdogsonthePromenade andPieroutoftheoutdoordiningareas.
AnimalControlofficershavealsosuggested prohibiting feedinganimalsonallstreets andsidewalks (aprohibition whichpresentlyonlyappliestotheThirdStreet Promenade) andinCityparks. Thissuggestion reflects concerns aboutsanitation and rodentinfestations.
2 staffhasalsosuggested thatcertainMunicipalCodesections shouldbechanged because theyareoutdated, confusing andsomewhatvague. In particular, Animal Control officersnotethattheprovision requiringthatpitbullsbemuzzled conflictswithstate lawthatprohibitsdesignating abreed asvicious, that MunicipalCodesectionsgoverning animalsatlarge anddogsoverlap, and thattheprocedure forappealing adetermination thatadog isvicious isunclear. Community andCulturalServicesstaffnotes thattheCode provision prohibiting dogsinpublicparksisinconsistentwiththeCity practice ofallowing leashed dogsinparks. Discussion
The
proposed ordinancewouldaddressmostofthesecomplaintsandsuggestions; others arepresented hereforCouncildiscussion andpossible direction tostaff. The proposed ordinancewouldprohibitfoodinoff-leash areas. Properly taggedandlicensed dogsonleasheswouldbepermitted inCityparks, public sidewalksandotherpublic spaceswithsomeexceptions. The exceptionswouldbelimited toschoolgrounds, public buildings, totlots, playing fields, tennis andbasketballcourtsandothergame courts, and thebeachsands. Dogs wouldnotbeallowed inthese areas. However, guide orservice dogswouldbeallowed inallpublicplaces. Also, properly licensed andtaggeddogsnotonleasheswouldcontinuetobeallowed inoff-leash dogparks andvehicles; and animalrestrictionswouldbesubjectoanexception forpermitted CommunityEvents. Animals onprivatepropertywouldberequired tobeenclosed.
The proposed ordinancewouldalsoprohibitfeedinganimalsandbirdsonallCity streetsandsidewalksandwouldprohibithavingfoodonthegroundinparks. 3 Under
proposal, people could stillfeedbirdsandanimalsinparksbutcouldnotleavefood behind. Theproposed
ordinancewouldalsoaddnewlanguage authorizing theissuanceofcitationsfor allowingananimaltostrayontoothers? property. The proposed ordinancewouldseparate the ?atlarge? section, which applies toallanimals fromtheprovisions applicable only todogs. Additionally, a new provisionwouldestablishthatownerswhose animals havebeendetermined tobedangerousmayfileanadministrative appealwith theChiefofPolice. Theproposed
ordinance doesnotaddress staff?ssuggestionthat leasheddogsshouldnotbe permitted onthePierorThirdStreetPromenade. TheCouncil maywishtoreceive public commentonthissuggestion, discuss it, anddirect staffonfurtheroutreach. Or, language could beaddedtotheproposed ordinance inSection4.04.160 ifthe Council decides toimplement staff?ssuggestionthrough thisordinance. Theproposed ordinance doesnotincludechanges tothelicensing cycleortherequirementof arabies vaccination everythreeyears. Theannual cyclefacilitates enforcement. New tags inanewcolorareissuedatthebeginning ofeachyear. Thisallows Animal Controlofficerstoquicklyandeasily ascertain ifalicense iscurrent. Thethree year requirement tracksCountyandstatehealthstandards. Financial/Budget ImpactExisting staff
wouldenforcetheamendments, andnosignificant financial impactsareanticipated. 4 Recommendation
It
respectfully
recommended thatheaccompanying ordinance beintroducedforfirstreading. PREPARED BY:
Marsha
Jones Moutrie, CityAttorneyBarbara Stinchfield, Director ofCommunity andCulturalServicesElainePolachek, Open
SpaceManager TrinieGarcia-Valdez,
CommunityUse Administrator JamesT. Butts,
Chiefof Police DonnUmber, Animal
ShelterManager ATTACHMENT: ProposedOrdinance
5 f:\atty\
muni\
mjm\ animalsamend-1.doc CityCouncil Meeting 8-
3-04Santa Monica, California ORDINANCE NUMBER _________ ( CCS) City CouncilSeries) AN
ORDINANCEOFTHE
CITYCOUNCIL OFTHECITYOFSANTA MONICAAMENDING SANTA
MONICAMUNICIPALCODESECTIONS 4.04.150, 4.
04.160, 4.04.170, 4.04.390AND 4.04.410, ADDINGSECTIONS 4.04.155, 4.04.166AND
4. 3.
04.415TOTHEMUNICIPAL CODE, ANDREPEALING SANTA MONICA MUNICIPALCODESECTION
04.110RESTRICTING ANIMALS ATLARGE, REGULATING DOGSON
PUBLIC PROPERTY, PROHIBITING DOGSINSPECIFIED AREASANDFEEDING
INOFF-LEASH AREAS, ANDMODIFYING PROVISIONSON VICIOUSDOGS WHEREAS, manySantaMonica
residents enrichtheirlivesbysharingtheirhouseholds withdogs, catsand otheranimal companions; andWHEREAS, theCity Council
wishes toprovidethoseresidents withopportunities tousepublic spacewiththeir animal companions; andWHEREAS, animals roving at
large onpublic andprivatespaceposeriskstohealth, safety, andcommunityquality oflife; andWHEREAS, theCity Council
wishes toprotectagainsttheserisksandtostrikethebestpossible balance between opportunities available toresidentswithanimals, theirneighbors, andthe community asawhole, 6
WHEREAS, disbursing food
to
inpublicparksandpublicstreetsposesriskstosafetyandwelfare; andWHEREAS, feeding dogsindog
parks cancausefightsandotherwise threaten dogs? health; andWHEREAS, leavingfood inthe
ground inpublicparksattracts rodents anddiminishesparkaesthetics, NOW, THEREFORE, THE
CITYCOUNCIL
OF THE CITYOFSANTA MONICADOESHEREBY ORDAIN ASFOLLOWS: SECTION
1. Santa MonicaMunicipal
Code Section 4.04.150ishereby amended toreadasfollows: Deleted:
fowl, dogorother Deleted: same Deleted: orrun,
orbe
at atlarge, in or Section 4.04.150 Animals large. upon any public street, or other public place within theCity and such fowl, dog or other animals found
atlarge inany such place shall be
impounded No person having control, charge
orcustodyofanyasherein provided. Dogswhich are properly licensed and tagged for thecurrent calendar year, may be
animal, shall permit theanimal tostray, orrunatlargeinorpermitted onanypublic street, public parkorother public place within theCity not specifically prohibited in
upon anyprivate property of another, anyunenclosed privateSection 4.04.160hereof, ifthedog isin thecustody and control of
a
acompetent person and restrained by
property orany public property, exceptasauthorized bythis chainorleashofa fixed length of sixfeetorless inlength, attached toacollaror harness; orif
or
confined within Chapter. Any animalfound straying atlargeinorupon anautomobile; oronany duly designated off-leash public park area, ifthe dog isduly
licensed and tagged public propertyor private property maybeimpounded bythebytheCityofSanta Monica forthecurrent calendar year, and if the dog is inthe custody and
controlofaCity. Any person violating this Section shallbeguiltyofancompetent person. Anyperson violating this Section shallbe guilty ofaninfraction, which shall be
infractionwhich shall bepunishable byafineofnotless thanpunishable byafineof notless than fifty dollars per violation. Each such person shallbe guilty of
aseparate Fifty Dollars ($50) per violation witheach day orpartialdayoffense foreachandevery day during any portion of which any violation ofthis Section iscommitted, continued
separate offense. orpermitted bysuchperson
of
and shall
violation counting
by
as
punished accordingly
a
7 In
addition tothe
penalties
above provided, anycondition causedorpermitted to
existinviolation oftheprovisionsofthisSectionshallbe
deemedapublicnuisance andmaybe, bythisCity,
summarilyabated as such, andeach daysuchcondition continues shall beregarded asanewandseparate offense. SECTION 2.
Section4.04.155
isherebyaddedtotheSanta MonicaMunicipalCodetoreadasfollows: Section
4.04.155. Dogson
Public Property. No person having control, charge or
custodyofanydog shallpermit thedogto
beuponanypublicproperty, unless thedogis: a) in
thecustodyandcontrol
of acompetentperson; andeitherb) confinednan
automobile or
c) restrained byachainor
leash sixfeetorlessinfixedlength. Anyperson violating this Section shall
beguiltyofaninfraction whichshallbepunishable by
afineofnotlessthan8
FiftyDollars ($50) perviolation
with
dayor partial dayofviolation countingasaseparate offense.
Notwithstanding theabove, thisSection shallnot
applytodogs inanyareadesignated
byresolutionoftheCityCouncilforusebydogsif
thepersonhavingcustodyorcontrolofthedogisincompliance
withposted rules governing theuseofthedesignated area.
SECTION 3.SantaMonicaMunicipalCodeSection
4.04.160isherebyamended toreadasfollows: Deleted: RestrictedSection
4.04.160Dogs--
ProhibitedPublic
areas. Exceptas expressly permitted bythis Chapter,
noDeleted: samepersonhaving control, charge or
custodyof
anydogshall Deleted: goDeleted: nypermitthedog tobe
inor
uponaschoolground, publicDeleted: ground, recreational areaorplayground, or publicpark, including, but notlimited topark building,
tot lot, playing field, tennis court, basketball court, Deleted: sDeleted: sother gamecourt, orthe beachsands lyingwesterlyofthatDeleted: sDeleted: streetcommonly known as OceanfrontWalk or northerlyofsFormattedDeleted: sthewesterly prolongation of the
centerline
ofCaliforniaDeleted: andDeleted: sAvenue. Anyperson violatingthis Sectionshall
beguiltyofDeleted: uponDeleted: aninfraction, whichshall bepunishable by
afine ofnotlessDeleted: ThePromenadeDeleted: uponthebeach sandslying than fiftydollars ($50) per violation with eachdayor partial Deleted: Eachsuchpersonshallbeguilty ofaseparate offense for each day of violation counting asaseparate
offense. Inaddition, andeverydayduringany portion of which any violation ofthis Section is committed, continued, or permitted bysuch person
and shall be punished accordingly 9
any such dog found in
any
such
placemaybeimpounded asherein provided. Deleted: Inaddition to thepenaltieshereinabove provided,
anycondition caused orpermitted to
exist inviolation of
the provisionsofthisSection shall
bedeemed apublic nuisance and
may be, by this City, summarily
abated assuch, and each day such
condition continues shallbe regarded as
anew and separate offense. Deleted:
The provisions ofthis Notwithstanding the
above,
thisSection shall notSection shallnotapply:¶ 1) Todogswhich are being used by disabled personsas guide orapply to:
service dogs, while such dogs are beingused for such purposes;¶ 2) Todogs inany area designated by
Resolution ofthe City Council for1)
dogswhich are being used by disabled
persons usebydogsiftheperson havingcustody or controlofthe dog isin compliance with posted rules as guide or service
dogs, while such dogs
arebeingused forgoverning theuseofthedesignated area. such purposes. 2) dogs inanyarea designated
byresolution
of theCityCouncilforusebydogsifthe
person havingcustodyorcontrolofthedogisincompliance with postedrules governing theuseofthedesignated area. SECTION
4.Section 4.04.166ishereby
addedtotheSanta Monica Municipal Codetoreadasfollows: Section 4.04. 166. Exception forPermittedCommunity
Events. Notwithstanding the prohibitions contained inMunicipal Code Sections
4.04.150, 4.04.
155, and4.04.160, animals maybepresent onpublic property in accordance 10Formatted: BulletsandNumbering
withtheterms
and
conditions ofaCommunity
Permit issuedbytheCity. SECTION 5.SantaMonica Municipal CodeSection 4.04.
170ishereby amended toreadasfollows: Section 4.04.170Licensing ofdogs. Everyperson
who harborsadogwithin theCity
shallpaytotheCityanannual licensetaxin
anamount tobeestablished byresolution oftheCityCouncil. TheCity shallfromtimetotimedelivertothepersonmaking
suchpaymentalicensewhichshalldescribe thedog, togetherwith asealormetallicplatehaving thereon thenumberofsuch
license, andfiguresindicating paid, provided thepersonmakingthe paymenthasfiledwith theCityacertificateindicating
thedoghasbeenvaccinated inaccordancewiththisChapter
andstatelaw; otherwise, areceiptforpaymentshall
beissued. Duplicates shall beissuedforlosttagsfor
one dollarandfiftycentsuponthefilingofproofof
suchloss. Suchmetallic tagsshallbeattached toacollar or harnessandsuchcollarorharnesswiththeattached tagshall
bekeptonsuchdogatalltimes, excepting asotherwise provided intheCode. 11
The licensefeehereinmentioned shallbe
due
and
onthe2nddayofJanuary eachyearand
shallexpireonthe31stdayofDecembernextensuing. Where
adogisacquired afterthe2nddayof January, the
license feethereonshallbedueonthedate ofacquisition of
suchdogforsuchcalendar yearandthereafteronthe2ndday
ofJanuaryofeachsucceeding year. Intheeventthatany
personshallfail, neglector
refuse topaytherequired licensetaxbefore the1st
dayofAprilofeachyear, apenaltywillbeassessed, in
addition totheprescribed license fee, intheamount offivedollars foreveryneuteredmale orspayedfemaledogandtendollars
foreveryun-neuteredmaleorunspayed femaledog. The
provisionsofthisSectionshallnotapplyto: 1)
Anydognotmorethanfourmonthsofage.
2) Ownersofdogscertifiedasassistance dogsbythe
Animal Control Division pursuantostatelaw. SECTION 6.
SantaMonicaMunicipalCodeSection4.04.390
isherebyamended toreadasfollows: Deleted: FSection 4.04.390 Restrictionsuponfeeding of
Deleted: pigeons
andotherbirds and animals andbirds in specifiedareas. 12 Deleted: in
the
area described inSection 3.36.
150
this Code, A) Noperson shall
doanyofthe following inor on anydesignated off-leasharea, public streetorsidewalk: Deleted: pigeon, oranyother Deleted: upon anypublicstreet, 1)
Feedany bird or animal,
or sidewalk, mallorway
2) Disperse anyfood materialor other matter Deleted: pigeons, or and otheredible byanybirdoranimal
soas to make such
materialor Deleted: pigeons, matteravailabletootherbirdsoranimals foringestion; or, Deleted:
3) B) Nopersonshallleaveanyfoodor other
matter Deleted:
Permit Deleted: pigeons, orediblebyanybirdoranimal toremain onthe ground
after Deleted: otherDeleted: sdispersing ordroppingthesameinor onany park, designated off-leasharea, publicstreetorsidewalk. Deleted: 4) C) Anyperson violating any oftheprovisionsof
this Section
shall beguiltyofaninfraction. Anypersonconvicted of
aninfraction undertheprovisionsofthis Sectionshallbe
punishable byafineofnotless thanfivedollarsand
notmore thantwenty-fivedollars. Eachsuchperson shallbeguilty ofaseparate offensefor eachandeverycommission of
anyviolation ofanyprovision ofthisSection andshall
bepunished accordingly. SECTION 7.Santa MonicaMunicipalCodeSection4.04. 410is
hereby amendedtoreadasfollows: Section4.04.410Viciousdogs. 13 Formatted: Bullets andNumbering
Deleted: ba) ACity Animal
Control Officer mayissuea
ThisSection
shall apply toanydogforwhichtheAnimal ControlOfficer has issued, based upon the written notice toaperson owning
or harboring adog tokeep viciousorpredatorynature ofthedog, awritten noticetothe person owning or harboring such dog to keep the thedog muzzled and leashed
ifthe Animal Control Officerdog muzzled andleashedinaccordancewiththisSection. determines, basedupon clear and convincing evidence, that thedog isvicious
or predatory innature. Deleted: ab) No
person owningorharboring anydogthatDeleted:
pitbull
or anyotherDeleted: subjectothisSection has beendetermined tobe viciousor predatoryshall allow or pursuant
tosubdivision (b) Deleted: within thelimitsoftheCitypermit such dog to be uponthepublic streets, public Deleted: whether
licensed ornot, sidewalks, publicparks, oranyother public place within the City, or upon anyprivate propertywhichisnotfullyenclosedby
fence orotherbarrier, exceptwhenmuzzled andheldunderleash byanablebodiedperson. Deleted: c) Forpurposesof
thisSection, "pitbull" meansanypit
bull terrier ofthe Staffordshire Bull
Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog or
any mixed breed of
dog which contains asanelementof
its breeding c) Any person violating any
ofthe provisionsofthis the breed
of StaffordshireBullTerrier, American StaffordshireTerrier, orAmericanPit Bull Terrier astobeSection shallbeguilty of
aninfraction. Any person convicted identified as
partiallyofthebreedofStaffordshireBull Terrier, AmericanStaffordshire Terrier, orAmerican Pitofaninfraction under the provisions of
this Section shallbe Bull
Terrier. punishable byafineofnotlessthanfivedollars and not morethantwenty-fivedollars. Eachsuchpersonshallbeguiltyof aseparate offense foreach andeverycommission ofany
violation ofanyprovision ofthisSectionandshallbe
punished accordingly. 14
SECTION 8.Section4.04.415ishereby added
tothe
Santa
Municipal Code toreadasfollows: Section 4.04.415. Appeals. Anyanimalowner whoisaggrieved bya
decision oftheAnimal Control
Officermadepursuant toMunicipalCodeSection 4.04.280
or4.04.410mayobtainreview ofthat
determination byfilinganotice ofappealwiththeChiefofPolicewho shall, afterproviding notice andanopportunity tobeheard, render afinaldecision. SECTION 9.SantaMonica MunicipalCode Section
3.04.110isherebyrepealed
initsentiretyasfollows: Deleted: Section3.04.110Dogs.¶ Noperson having control, chargeorcustody
ofany dog shall permit the
same togoupon any public
parking lot, by except within avehicle.
The provisions ofthis Section shall not
apply todogs which have been SECTION
10. Any provision ofthe Santa
Monica Municipal Code or appendices especially
trainedand usedforblindpersons toaidandguidethem intheir movements while such dogs are thereto inconsistent with theprovisions ofthis Ordinance, tothe extent of such
beingusedforsuchpurposes; allotherdogs found inanypubliclot parking shall beimpounded. inconsistencies and nofurther, is hereby repealed or
modified tothat extent necessary
toeffecttheprovisions ofthisOrdinance. SECTION 11. Ifanysection, subsection, sentence, clause, orphraseofthisOrdinance
isfor any reasonheld tobeinvalid orunconstitutional bya decisionofanycourtofcompetent jurisdiction, suchdecisionshallnotaffectthevalidityofthe remaining portionsofthis Ordinance. TheCityCouncilhereby declares thatitwould havepassedthisOrdinance and eachandeverysection, subsection, sentence, clause, 15 orphrasenotdeclaredinvalidorunconstitutional withoutregard towhether any portion
theordinance wouldbesubsequently declared invalidorunconstitutional. SECTION 12. TheMayor shallsignandtheCityClerkshallattesttothe
passageof thisOrdinance. TheCityClerkshallcausethesametobepublished onceintheofficial newspaper within15daysafteritsadoption. ThisOrdinance shallbecome effective 30daysfromitsadoption. APPROVED ASTOFORM: MARSHA JONES MOUTRIE CityAttorney16