Ordinance No. 1053

ARTICLE II—ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Section 3.5       Animal Control Officers: Powers and Duties.

            a.         All Animal Control Officers shall enforce all of chapter 3, and any other provisions of this code, the Healdsburg Zoning Ordinance, or the laws of this state relating to the care, control and keeping of animals and investigate complaints of violations thereof.  Animal Control Officers are authorized to issue warnings or citations of the aforesaid ordinance and state laws.

            b.         Animal Control Officers shall issue all licenses and permits, and collect all fees and charges as authorized by this chapter.

            c.         The Animal Control Officer shall not be deemed to be a Police Officer, but pursuant to Penal Code Section 830.9 he/she may exercise the powers of arrest of a Police Officer as specified in Penal Code Section 836 and the power to serve warrants as specified in Penal Code Sections 1523 and 1530 during the course and within the scope of his employment.

            d.         Pursuant to Penal Code Section 12031, the Animal Control Officer shall be authorized to carry firearms during the course and within the scope of his employment.  Such firearms shall be limited to those approved by the city council and supplied by the city.

Animal Control Officers shall enforce all state laws relating to rabies control.

            e.         The Animal Control Officer shall have the right to enter upon and inspect any premises where an animal is kept or harbored when such entry is necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter or state laws relating to the care, control and treatment of animals, or to save an animal, or to protect the public health, safety and welfare.  All entries and inspections shall be carried out in accordance with applicable laws, including, but not limited to, the laws pertaining to search warrants and inspection warrants.

            f.          A search warrant is not required when there is probable cause by an Animal Control Officer to believe that the keeping or maintaining of an animal on private property is so hazardous or dangerous as to require immediate inspection and/or impoundment of the animal in order to safeguard the safety of the animal, other animals or the public safety.

            g.         Animal Control Officers may seize, impound, and humanely destroy any animal when authorized by provisions of this chapter or the laws of this state relating to the care, control and keeping of animals.