Chapter 11.05
ANIMAL CONTROL

Sections:

11.05.010    Authority to adopt animal control regulations.

11.05.015    Exceptions to SMC 11.05.010.

11.05.020    Adoption of administrative rules.

11.05.030    Adoption of certain other laws.

11.05.040    Reference to hearing bodies.

11.05.050    Bond or bail schedule.

11.05.010 Authority to adopt animal control regulations.

Pursuant to RCW 35.21.180, 35A.11.020, and 35A.21.160, the City adopts by reference Title 11, Animal Control, of the King County Code, as presently constituted or hereinafter amended, as the animal control regulations of the City. A copy of KCC Title 11 has been filed with the City clerk. (Ord. O99-13 § 1)

11.05.015 Exceptions to SMC 11.05.010.

(1) Except that Section 11.04.230, Nuisances defined, of the King County Code shall be adopted as it pertains to the City of Sammamish to read as follows:

11.04.230 Nuisances defined. For purposes of this chapter, nuisances are violations of this chapter and shall be defined as follows:

(A) Any public nuisance relating to animal care and control known at common law or in equity jurisprudence;

(B) A dog running at large in the City;

(C) Any domesticated animal, whether licensed or not, that runs at large in any park or enters any public beach, pond, fountain or stream or upon any public playground or school ground. However, this subsection shall not prohibit a person from walking or exercising an animal in a public park or on any public beach when the animal is on a leash, tether or chain not to exceed sixteen (16) feet in length. Also, this subsection shall not apply to any person using a trained service animal, to animal shows, exhibitions, or organized dog-training classes if at least twenty-four hours advance notice has been given to the animal care and control authority by those persons requesting to hold the animal shows, exhibitions or organized dog-training classes;

(D) Any domesticated animal that enters any place where food is stored, prepared, served or sold to the public, or any other public building or hall. However, this subsection shall not apply to any person using a trained service animal, to veterinary offices or hospitals or to animal shows, exhibitions or organized dog-training classes if at least twenty-four hours advance notice has been given to the animal care and control authority by those persons requesting to hold the animal shows, exhibitions or organized dog-training classes;

(E) Any female domesticated animal, whether licensed or not, while in heat and accessible to other animals for purposes other than controlled and planned breeding;

(F) Any domesticated animal that chases, runs after or jumps at vehicles using the public streets and alleys;

(G) Any domesticated animal that habitually snaps, growls, snarls, jumps upon or otherwise threatens persons lawfully using the public sidewalks, streets, alleys or other public ways;

(H) Any animal that has exhibited vicious propensities and constitutes a danger to the safety of persons or property off the animal’s premises or lawfully on the animal’s premises. However, in addition to other remedies and penalties, the provisions of this chapter relating to vicious animals shall apply;

(I) Any vicious animal or animal with vicious propensities that runs at large at any time is off the owner’s premises not securely leashed on a line or confined and in the control of a person of suitable age and discretion to control or restrain the animal. However, in addition to other remedies and penalties, the provisions of this chapter relating to vicious animals shall apply;

(J) Any domesticated animal that howls, yelps, whines, barks or makes other oral noises, in such a manner as to disturb any person or neighborhood to an unreasonable degree;

(K) Any domesticated animal that enters upon a person’s property without the permission of that person;

(L) Animals staked, tethered or kept on public property without prior written consent of the animal care and control authority;

(M) Animals on any public property not under the control by the owner or other competent person;

(N) Animals harbored, kept or maintained and known to have a contagious disease unless under the treatment of a licensed veterinarian; and

(O) Animals running in packs.

(2) Except that Section 11.08.020, Definitions, of the King County Code shall be adopted as it pertains to the City of Sammamish to read as follows:

11.08.020 Definitions. In construing the provisions of this chapter, except where otherwise plainly declared or clearly apparent from the context, words used in this chapter shall be given their common and ordinary meaning; in addition, the following definitions shall apply:

(A) “At large” means to be off the premises of the owner and not under control of the owner by leash; provided that an animal within an automobile or other vehicle of its owner shall be deemed to be on the owner’s premises.

(B) “Lawful training” means to be engaged in training on the premises of the owner or on land of another person by permission, or on public land that is set aside or is open to hunting or trapping; provided, that the dog is accompanied afield by the owner or trainer. A “no shooting” area shall not be interpreted to mean a “no training” area.

(C) “Leash” includes a cord, thong or chain not more than sixteen (16) feet in length by which an animal is physically controlled by the person accompanying it.

(D) “Restraint.” An animal is considered to be under restraint if it is maintained and remains within the property limits of its owner or keeper.

(Ord. O2009-255 § 2)

11.05.020 Adoption of administrative rules.

Hereby further adopted by reference are any and all implementing administrative rules now in effect regarding KCC Title 11, Animal Control, that have been adopted either pursuant to Chapter 2.98 KCC, Rules of County Agencies, KCC Title 23, Enforcement, or elsewhere in the King County Code, except that unless the context requires otherwise, any reference to the “county” or to “King County” shall refer to the City of Sammamish, and any to “county staff” shall refer to the City manager or his/her designee. (Ord. O99-13 § 2)

11.05.030 Adoption of certain other laws.

To the extent that any provision of the King County Code, or any other law, rule, or regulation referenced in the animal control regulations of KCC Title 11 is necessary or convenient to establish the validity, enforceability, or interpretation of the animal control code, then such provision of the King County Code, or other law, rule, or regulation, is hereby adopted by reference. (Ord. O99-13 § 3)

11.05.040 Reference to hearing bodies.

To the extent that the animal control regulations of KCC Title 11 refer to planning commissions, board of appeals, hearing examiner, or any other similar body, the City council may serve in all such roles, but retains the right to establish any one or more of such bodies, at any time and without regard to whether any quasi-judicial or other matter is then pending. (Ord. O99-13 § 4)

11.05.050 Bond or bail schedule.

All infractions or offenses of SMC Titles 7 and 11 shall use the bond or bail schedule for infractions and offenses as used by the King County District Court for similar provisions of King County laws and regulations. (Ord. O2009-255 § 3)