§ 6.04.020. Definitions.  


Latest version.
  • For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions apply:

    "Agricultural activities" means those activities related to the growing and harvesting of crops, the rearing and managing of livestock, or the production of plants and animals useful to humankind.

    "Allow" means to permit. No element of knowledge or intent is required.

    "Animal" means any living creature, except humans.

    "Animal regulation unit" means (1) the entity established within the Shasta County Sheriff's Office (hereinafter referred to as the "Sheriff's Office Animal Regulation Unit"); (2) the county's contract agency; or (3) both, charged with enforcing the provisions of the animal regulation ordinance and exercising those powers and performing those duties as set forth in this chapter,

    "Animal regulation officer" means the following:

    1.

    The supervisor of the sheriff's office animal regulation unit and all non-clerical employees of the sheriff's office animal regulation unit; and

    2.

    The chief executive officer of the county's contract agency and all non-clerical employees of the county's contract agency including, but not limited to, humane officers employed by the county's contract agency.

    An "animal regulation officer" shall be deemed an "animal control officer" as provided in Penal Code section 830.9.

    An "animal regulation officer" employed with the sheriff's office animal regulation unit shall also be deemed an "animal control officer" as provided in Penal Code section 11165.7 and a "public officer or employee" as provided in Penal Code section 836.5.

    "Board of supervisors" means the Shasta County Board of Supervisors.

    "Code" means the Shasta County Code.

    "Commercial animal establishment" means any location where the labor and activity of buying, selling, bartering, training, renting, or boarding of any number of animals, including but not limited to dogs, cats, wild animals, domestic animals, or fowl is conducted for commercial purposes. This definition, shall not apply to:

    1.

    Full-time agricultural activities,

    2.

    Business activities of a duly licensed veterinary hospital,

    3.

    Training facilities where owners are instructed on how to handle their own pets,

    4.

    A person who is currently licensed as a guide pursuant to Chapter 5 of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code (commencing with section 2535),

    5.

    A person who does not regularly sell, trade or barter dogs or cats (for the purposes of this subdivision, "regularly" means three or more occasions within any twelve-month period), or

    6.

    Any public agency.

    "Commercial purposes" means to manage, conduct, or carry on any business, function, activity, or enterprise for commercial, retail, industrial, or professional purposes. Commercial purposes shall include, but not be limited to, the trade of goods, commodities, or services.

    "Contract agency" means any humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals that has entered into a contract or agreement with county to enforce the provisions of the animal regulation ordinance and/or exercise those powers and perform those duties as set forth in this chapter,

    "County" means the County of Shasta.

    "County administrative officer" means the County Administrative Officer of the County of Shasta.

    "Current vaccination" means the period of time a vaccination is effective.

    "Dog hobbyist" means any person who owns or possesses, within or adjoining a private residence, not more than twenty dogs over four months old for non-commercial purposes, which are limited to hunting, tracking, exhibition in dog shows, obedience trials, field trials, dog sledding, or to enhance or perpetuate a given breed. A dog hobbyist shall include, but not be limited to, any person who owns or possesses not more than twenty dogs over four months old who is currently licensed as a guide pursuant to Chapter 5 of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code (commencing with section 2535).

    "Health Officer" means the Shasta County Health Officer or the Health Officer's designee.

    "Humane officer" means a person qualified and appointed pursuant to California Corporations Code section 14502, who is an employee of the County's contract agency. Humane officers shall have the authority to issue notices to appear in court pursuant to Chapter 5c (commencing with section 853.5) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code for violations of state or local animal control laws. This authority is based on section 14503 of the California Corporations Code.

    "Keeper" means a person who is in possession of an animal.

    "Law" includes, but is not limited to, statutes of the State of California, the California Code of Regulations, and the Shasta County Code. Any reference to the Fish and Game Code, Food and Agricultural Code, Government Code, or Penal Code shall be deemed a reference to California statutory provisions.

    "Licensed dog" means any dog for which a license and metallic license tag have been issued and are current, which is currently vaccinated, and to which the metallic license tag is securely fastened to a collar worn by the dog.

    "Livestock" means bovine and ruminant animals, horses, mules, burros, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, gnus, emus, ostriches, swine, domestic fowl, mink, rabbits and other useful animals commonly kept or raised on farms or ranches as an agricultural activity. "Livestock" does not include dogs, cats, and other common household pets.

    "Non-commercial dog sanctuary" means a residence, building, lot, area, or location where more than twenty dogs over four months old are kept for non-commercial purposes.

    "Non-commercial purposes" means purposes other than a commercial purpose, and includes, but shall not be limited to, philanthropic and charitable purposes.

    "Owner" means any person who owns, possesses, keeps, or harbors an animal except a veterinarian or an operator of a commercial kennel or a pet shop engaged in the regular operation of said business.

    "Possess" means to have custody, control, or dominion either actually or constructively.

    "Ranch dog owner" means any person who owns or possesses within or adjoining a residence, building, lot, or area which is zoned for full-time agricultural uses under Chapter 17 of this code, not more than twenty dogs over four months old for personal, recreational, or noncommercial purposes, or purposes related to agricultural activities, including, but not limited, to the control, herding, and protection of livestock.

    "Stray" means to be at large off the premises of the owner or possessor and not at all times under the immediate control or direction of the owner or possessor. (Ord. 98-9 § 1 (part), 1998)

(Ord. No. 2011-02, § 1, 7-19-2011)