Chapter 7.16
LIVESTOCK

Sections:

7.16.010    Repealed.

7.16.020    Prohibition.

7.16.030    Public nuisance – Impounding.

7.16.040    Where impounded – Identifying animal.

7.16.050    Notice of Impounding – Publication – Copy to owner.

7.16.060    Repealed.

7.16.070    Sale of animal.

7.16.080    Proceeds of sale to owner.

7.16.090    Where permitted.

7.16.100    Violation – Penalties.

7.16.010 Definition.

Repealed by Ord. 1393. (Ord. 999 § 1, 1992).

7.16.020 Prohibition.

It shall be unlawful for the owner of livestock of any age to permit the same to run at large within the city limits during any hour of the day or night. (Ord. 999 § 2, 1992).

7.16.030 Public nuisance – Impounding.

Livestock so found running at large or trespassing in violation of Chapter 16.24 RCW as now or hereafter amended shall be declared a public nuisance and shall be impounded by the animal control officer. (Ord. 999 § 3, 1992).

7.16.040 Where impounded – Identifying animal.

When livestock of any kind is seized, the animal control officer shall cause the same to be transported to and impounded at the nearest public livestock market licensed under Chapter 16.65 RCW or at such place as approved by the animal control agency. (Ord. 999 § 4, 1992).

7.16.050 Notice of Impounding – Publication – Copy to owner.

A notice of impounding shall be published once in a newspaper published in the official newspaper of the city. The notice shall state the following:

(a) A description of the animal, including any brand, tattoo or other identifying characteristics;

(b) Information pertaining to when and where the animal was found;

(c) The place where the animal is impounded; and

(d) A statement declaring that if the animal is not claimed, it will be sold at a public livestock market sale. (Ord. 999 § 5, 1992).

7.16.060 Impounding fees.

Repealed by Ord. 1393. (Ord. 999 § 6, 1992).

7.16.070 Sale of animal.

In case the owner of the animal so impounded fails or neglects to claim the same within 10 days from the date of publication of the notice, the animal control officer shall determine the time and place for a public auction where such animals are to be sold. The proceeds from the auction shall be used to pay for the impounding fees, the costs of feeding and caring for the animal and the costs of advertising and selling the same. The balance of the proceeds, if any, shall be paid into the city treasury. If the owner of the impounded animal pays the impounding fee and all other expenses incident to the impounding of the animal before it is sold, he/she shall be entitled to redeem the animal. (Ord. 999 § 7, 1992).

7.16.080 Proceeds of sale to owner.

If the owner or owners of any animal sold under the provisions of this chapter shall make satisfactory proof of his ownership at any time within one year from the date of such sale, he/she shall be entitled to receive the net proceeds from the sale that were deposited with the animal control agency. (Ord. 999 § 8, 1992).

7.16.090 Where permitted.

(a) Shelter. Livestock shall be sheltered in structures. Structures, which provide confinement and feeding areas for such animals, shall be located not less than 30 feet away from any adjoining property line, and not less than 50 feet from any residential dwelling unit on adjoining property.

(b) Limitations. The minimum land area required to maintain any kind of livestock shall be either one acre or the sum of the required land areas for each animal as listed below, whichever is greater:

(1) Cattle, swine or oxen, one acre each;

(2) Horses or ponies, one-half acre each;

(3) Sheep, goats or llamas, one-quarter acre each; provided, that unweaned young will not be counted.

Example 1: The minimum land area required to maintain one goat and one horse shall be one acre. Although the sum of one-quarter acre for the goat and one-half acre for the horse equals three-quarters acres, the minimum land area to house any livestock is one acre.

Example 2: The minimum land area to maintain one pig, one horse and two sheep is two acres. This sum is reached by adding one acre for the pig, one-half acre for the horse and one-quarter acre for each of the two sheep. (Ord. 999 § 9, 1992).

7.16.100 Violation – Penalties.

Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and for each act herein prohibited of a continuing nature, each day shall be considered a separate offense. A monetary penalty of $52.00 shall also be imposed for failure to respond to the citation or pay the monetary penalties imposed by the citation. (Ord. 1393 § 2, 2005; Ord. 999 § 10, 1992).