Chapter 8.09
WORKING ANIMAL PROTECTION ACT
Sections:
8.09.040 Rules and regulations.
8.09.010 Purpose and intent.
The Working Animal Protection Ordinance would establish a right to conduct any legal animal enterprise utilizing working animals in commerce, service, legal hunting, agriculture, husbandry, transportation, ranching, entertainment, education, exhibition, or competition. (Ord. 1090 Sec. 1, 2022)
8.09.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
A. “Working animals,” as used in this chapter, means bovines, goats, sheep, swine, camelids, poultry, Accipitridae, dogs and equines kept by humans and trained to perform tasks of specific duty and/or function.
B. “Owner/caretaker” means one who has the rightful title or guardianship to a working animal.
C. “Working” means a specific task, duty, function, or assignment, often being a part or phase of some larger activity including, but not limited to, commerce, service, legal hunting, agriculture, husbandry, transportation, ranching, entertainment, education, exhibition, or competition. (Ord. 1090 Sec. 1, 2022)
8.09.030 Care and welfare.
A. No person shall cause any working animal to be overdriven, overloaded, driven when overloaded, overworked, tortured, tormented, or deprived of necessary sustenance, drink, shelter; or to be cruelly beaten, mutilated, or cruelly killed.
B. Working animals must be in good physical health. If a working animal has an open wound(s), broken bone(s), lameness, abnormal skin condition and/or bacterial infection, such animal must be removed from working until cleared to return to working status by a licensed veterinarian or an Animal Control Officer. (Ord. 1090 Sec. 1, 2022)
8.09.040 Rules and regulations.
A. Working Animal.
1. Confinement at Facilities. Each working animal that is working at a spectator event must be confined by a sound fence (wood, brick, pipe corral and/or chain link) when working, resting, and feeding.
2. Confinement on Public Right-of-Way. Each working animal working in the public right-of-way must be contained by one of the following:
a. Working animal with a carriage: working harness.
b. Working animal with a rider: headstall or bridle attached to reins and/or halter attached to lead rope.
c. Working animal being walked: collar/harness and lead rope for dogs.
d. Working animal for display: cage for poultry.
e. Working animal at liberty: dogs and Accipitridae are allowed while under immediate control by owner/caretaker.
B. Deceased Animal. Carcass must be removed by a licensed deceased animal removal service to an approved site location. (Ord. 1090 Sec. 1, 2022)
8.09.050 General conditions.
A. No person shall interfere with another person’s right to use a working animal in commerce, service, legal hunting, agriculture, husbandry, transportation, ranching, entertainment, education, exhibition, or competition. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the right to utilize a working animal for the foregoing purposes is guaranteed.
B. This section does not supersede State laws or rules that regulate animal care, public health, or public safety, including, without limitation, Penal Code Section 597. (Ord. 1090 Sec. 1, 2022)
8.09.060 Violation.
It is unlawful for any person to subject any working animal to needless suffering, or inflict unnecessary cruelty upon the animal, or in any manner abuse any working animal, or fail to provide the working animal with proper food, drink, or shelter or protection from the weather, or drive, ride, or otherwise use a working animal when unfit for labor. (Ord. 1090 Sec. 1, 2022)