§ 6-1.37. Enforcement.

(a)

Responsibility. The Police Department under the direction of the City Manager shall supervise the administration and enforcement of this chapter and of the laws of the State of California pertaining to the control of animals and shall have charge of the City's animal shelter, employees and facilities.

(b)

Agreements. The City Council may enter into written agreements with any veterinarian or any organized humane society or association, which will undertake to carry out the provisions of this chapter and maintain and operate an animal shelter, and which will license, take up, impound and dispose of animals. Any such veterinarian or society or association which shall enter into such agreement shall carry out all of the provisions of this chapter in the manner herein prescribed.

(c)

Interference with officer. It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with, oppose or resist any officer or person empowered to enforce the provisions of this chapter while such officer or person is engaged in the performance of his duties as provided herein.

(d)

State law. Nothing in this ordinance shall prevent the Animal Control Officer from acting, when he or she deems it appropriate to do so, under the applicable provisions of California Penal Code, Section 597, et. seq.

(e)

Violation. Unless otherwise stated in this ordinance, any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction. Each day of a violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense.

(f)

Recoupment of enforcement costs. The intent of this section is to authorize the recoupment of administrative costs reasonably related to the enforcement of this chapter. In furtherance of this intent the City shall be entitled to recover costs, including staff time in the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.

(g)

Records of costs. The Animal Control Officer or his designee shall maintain records of all administrative costs incurred in the processing of violations in the enforcement of this chapter and other applicable chapters and may recover such costs from the violator and/or property owner or property occupier as provided herein.

(§ 1, Ord. 666, eff. April 6, 2002)