8.02.100 DANGEROUS ANIMAL PERMIT REQUIREMENTS (County Code § 6.04.100).

(a) Any Owner of a Dangerous Animal shall ensure compliance with the following rules and regulations which shall be mandatory requirements for any Dangerous Animal permit:

(1) When the animal is off the property of its Owner, ensure that the animal is not kept upon any unenclosed premise unless said animal is leashed and muzzled with a cage or basket muzzle, or any other muzzle approved by the Animal Control Officer. The leash shall not exceed four (4) feet in length and having a minimum tensile strength of 300 pounds and shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Owner or a Person of such age, size, and strength as can easily control such animal. Extraordinary care shall be taken by the Owner and/or Caretaker to ensure that such restraint is sufficient to control the animal in a manner which it will not endanger other Persons or animals.

(2) Ensure said animal is never kept on any unenclosed premises even if tethered, tied or staked.

(3) Ensure said animal is kept in a fenced yard, kennel, dog run or other enclosure, sufficient to prevent the escape of the animal or entry of young children, as approved by the Animal Control Officer or peace officer. An electric or invisible fence is not an acceptable means of enclosure for the purpose of this requirement.

(4) Maintain the animal so that it is not a threat to any mail carrier, sanitation worker, meter Person, or other Person who has the lawful right to enter the property.

(5) Ensure that all structures used to confine the animals are locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the fenced yard, kennel, run or enclosure.

(6) Regularly inspect the fenced yard, kennel, dog run or enclosure to ensure that it is secure to maintain the animal and keep young children out.

(7) Allow inspections by any Animal Control Officer or peace officer at any reasonable hour of the premises or premises upon which the animal is maintained.

(8) Pay permit and property inspection fees as set forth in section 8.02.350 within (10) ten calendar days of the permit issuance or renewal.

(9) Obtain and post approved sign(s) from the Animal Control Program after payment of a non-refundable fee as set forth in Section 8.02.350 of this Chapter. Sign(s) shall be conspicuously posted in a manner visible to the public at all entrances to the property where the animal is kept, warning Persons of the presence of a Dangerous Animal as directed by the Animal Control Officer or peace officer. Such sign(s) must be surrendered in the event of the revocation of the permit, death of animal, or approved relocation of the animal.

(10) Advise all members who reside in the same household and on the same premises of the conditions established by the permit for keeping or maintaining said Dangerous Animal.

(11) Ensure said animal wears, at all times, a separate Dangerous Animal tag issued by the Animal Control Program in addition to complying with license requirements as defined in Section 8.02.040.

(12) Ensure said animal be microchipped and inform the Animal Control Officer with the microchip number within thirty (30) calendar days from the date the Dangerous Animal permit was issued.

(13) Within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date the Dangerous Animal permit was issued, unless this period is extended by the Animal Control Program Manager or City representative at their sole discretion, said animal shall be spayed or neutered by a California licensed veterinarian, at Owner expense, and within those forty-five (45) days, the Owner shall also present written proof to the Animal Control Officer that the surgery was performed. In the event an animal cannot be safely altered, due to a medical reason, the Owner shall present the Animal Control Program Manager and Animal Control Officer with a written request from a California licensed veterinarian stating the medical reason(s) that the animal should not be altered. The County Health Officer or designee will approve or deny the request. If said request is denied, the animal shall be altered by a California licensed Veterinarian within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of notification that the request was not approved, and within those fifteen (15) calendars days provide such written proof to the Animal Control Officer that the surgery was performed.

(14) Notify an Animal Control Officer and the Animal Control Program Manager of the animal's death within twenty-four (24) hours and produce the animal's body for verification upon request.

(15) Notify an Animal Control Officer and the Animal Control Program Manager immediately in the event the animal becomes lost, stolen, or escapes from its fenced yard, kennel run, or enclosure.

(16) Pay all reoccurring of additional fees within ten (10) calendar days of service of the invoice or annual permit. Non-payment of fee may result in the permit being revoked unless a payment plan has been approved by the County or City.

(17) Comply with all other permit conditions or requirements imposed by an Animal Control Officer, peace officer, or hearing officer pursuant to this Chapter.

(18) Comply with all local and state laws regarding the care, use, control, and maintenance of animals.

(b) Any Owner of a Dangerous Animal shall ensure compliance with the following additional requirements, if directed to do so by an Animal Control Officer, peace officer and/or hearing officer:

(1) Prove financial responsibility by posting a bond or certificate of insurance for an amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) per animal within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the Dangerous designation. Bond or certificate of insurance will be provided to the Animal Control Program Manager annually prior to expiration of said bond or certificate.

(2) Provide private behavioral and obedience training to the animal, at the Owner's expense and within the time set forth by the hearing officer or an Animal Control Officer following the issuance of a Dangerous Animal permit. Proof of participation, a report of behavioral assessment, and/or a certificate of satisfactory completion from an animal behaviorist or organization approved by an Animal Control Officer shall be provided to the Animal Control Officer and Animal Control Program Manager within seven (7) calendar days following the completion of the mandatory training, but not more than ninety (90) calendar days from the date of the Dangerous designation.

(3) Comply with any other permit requirements determined to be reasonably necessary to protect the public's health or safety and/or the health or safety of other animals.

(c) No more than two Dangerous Animals may be kept by any Person(s) at any one household, residence, business, or other location, without prior written approval of the designee of the appropriate jurisdiction.