Whenever in this chapter the words defined in this section are used they shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the following definitions:
“Animal” means and includes any domestic bovine animal, horse, mule, burro, sheep, goat, swine or other domestic animal except a dog or cat.
“At large” means off the premises of, and not under physical restraint, by, the owner or other person having charge of an animal.
“Fowl” means and includes any chicken, duck, turkey, goose or other domestic fowl.
“Health officer” means the health officer of the county of Riverside or his or her duly authorized representative. (Ord. 534.6 § 1, 2007; Ord. 534.5 § 1, 1991)

No person owning or having charge of any animal or fowl shall permit the same to be at large on any highway, street, sidewalk, lane, alley or other public place, or upon any private property other than that of the person owning or having charge of such animal or fowl unless such owner or person having charge of such animal or fowl has the consent of the owner of the private property. (Ord. 534.5 § 2, 1991)

This chapter shall not prohibit leading, driving, riding or conducting animals under adequate supervision along a public highway. (Ord. 534.5 § 3, 1991)

Subject to the provisions contained in Section 6.04.140 of this chapter, it shall be the duty of the health officer to take up and impound all animals found at large upon any highway, street, sidewalk, lane, alley or other public place, or upon any private property. The health officer may contract with any person to keep, feed and care for any such animal at reasonable rates for not more than twenty (20) days. (Ord. 534.6 § 2, 2007: Ord. 534.5 § 4, 1991)

If it shall appear to the health officer from the report of a licensed veterinarian or other qualified person that an animal is afflicted with rabies, he shall humanely destroy such animal, and shall take such other action as may be required by law and as he or she deems necessary to prevent the spread of such disease. He or she may humanely destroy any sick, disabled, infirm or crippled animal found at large if he or she is unable to identify and locate the owner. (Ord. 534.5 § 5, 1991)

Upon impounding of any bovine animal, horse, mule or burro, the health officer shall comply with Food and Agriculture Code Section 17003 and immediately notify the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. (Ord. 798 § 2M, 1999: Ord. 534.5 § 6, 1991)

If any animal other than a domestic bovine animal, horse, mule or burro, and except an animal afflicted with rabies, impounded by the health officer, is not reclaimed within two days thereafter, it shall be sold by the health officer after giving notice of sale in accordance with Section 6.04.080. (Ord. 534.5 § 7, 1991)

The notice of sale shall contain a description of the animal, including any identifying marks or brands; the date and place where the animal was taken up; and the time and place of sale. At least five days prior to the sale of any impounded animal, the health officer shall cause a copy of the notice to be published in a newspaper circulated in the area where the animal was found, and shall mail a copy of the notice to the owner or person entitled to possession of the animal at his or her residence or place of business, if known. (Ord. 534.5 § 8, 1991)

At the time and place set forth in the notice of sale, the health officer shall sell the impounded animal at public sale, to the highest bidder, for cash. If no bid is offered for such animal, the health officer may sell such animal at private sale or humanely destroy such animal, or otherwise dispose of it as permitted by law. (Ord. 534.5 § 9, 1991)

The proceeds of such sale, after first deducting fees and charges of the health officer, including costs of sale, shall be paid by the health officer to the county treasurer who shall pay then over to the owner of such animal sold if claimed within one year thereafter. If not so claimed, they shall be transferred into the general fund of the county. (Ord. 534.5 § 10, 1991)

The owner or person entitled to possession of any animal impounded, may at any time before the sale or other disposition thereof, redeem the same by paying the health officer all fees and charges thereon. (Ord. 534.5 § 11, 1991)

The health officer shall charge and collect from each person redeeming an unaltered impounded animal an impounding fee of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) for the first offense, fifty dollars ($50.00) for the second offense and one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the third offense, plus the actual costs of transporting the animal to impound, the actual costs of veterinary and related services rendered to the animal while impounded, the actual costs of sale incurred, and the actual costs of any extraordinary measures required in or for the handling and maintenance of the animal while impounded, and in addition thereto, the following fees set forth in subsections A through H of this section.
The health officer shall charge and collect from each person redeeming an altered impounded animal an impounding fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense, forty dollars ($40.00) for the second offense and ninety dollars ($90.00) for the third offense, plus the actual costs of transporting the animal to impound, the actual costs of veterinary and related services rendered to the animal, the actual costs of sale incurred, and the actual costs of any extraordinary measures required in or for the handling and maintenance of the animal while impounded, and in addition thereto, the following fees set forth in subsections A through H of this section:
A. For the maintenance of swine, goats and sheep: per animal, for each day of impoundment - twelve dollars ($12.00);
B. For the maintenance of horses and cattle: per animal, for each day of impoundment - twenty dollars ($20.00);
C. For the maintenance of ponies: per animal, for each day of impoundment - twenty dollars ($20.00);
D. For the maintenance of fowl: per animal, for each day of impoundment - five dollars ($5.00);
E. For the taking up of large-sized animals, such as horses, cattle, and ponies: per animal - seventy-five dollars ($75.00);
F. For the taking up of medium-sized animals, such as swine, goats, and sheep: per animal - sixty dollars ($60.00);
G. For the taking up of small-sized animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs: per animal - five dollars ($5.00);
H. For the taking up of animals after normal business hours - ninety dollars ($90.00) per hour. This after hours fee is in addition to any other applicable fees set forth in this chapter.
The fees set forth in this section shall be in effect until the board of supervisors shall by ordinance fix some other fee upon the basis of a cost analysis as determined by the county auditor-controller. (Ord. 534.6 § 3, 2007: Ord. 534.5 § 12, 1991)

Notwithstanding any provisions contained in this chapter relating to the entry upon private property for any purposes hereunder, no such entry may be conducted: (a) without the consent of the property owner or the person having lawful possession thereof; or (b) unless an inspection warrant has been issued and the entry is conducted in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1822.50 through 1822.56, inclusive; or (c) except as may otherwise be prescribed by law. (Ord. 534.5 § 13, 1991)

At least three working days prior to the impoundment of any animal, notice shall be given in person to, or by mail to the last known address of, the owner or person entitled to possession thereof of his or her right to a hearing as to whether or not such impoundment is justified. If the owner or person entitled to possession thereof requests a hearing prior to impoundment, no impoundment shall take place until the conclusion of the hearing except as provided herein. If in the opinion of the health officer, immediate impoundment is necessary for the preservation of the public health or safety, the pre-impoundment hearing may be dispensed with; provided, however, in such cases the owner or person entitled to possession thereof shall be given three working days notice as provided herein of his or her right to a hearing. If a hearing is requested, the hearing shall be held within five days of the request, and the animal shall not be sold, destroyed or otherwise disposed of prior to the conclusion of the hearing. Notice of the time, date and place of the hearing shall be given to the owner or person entitled to possession thereof. If, at the end of the hearing, the impoundment is found to be unjustified, the animal shall be returned to the owner or person entitled to possession thereof without charge. (Ord. 798 § 20, 1999; Ord. 534.5 § 14, 1991)

A. Upon the conviction of a person of a violation of this chapter, all animals lawfully seized and impounded with respect to the violation by a peace officer or an animal control officer, shall be adjudged by the court wherein the conviction took place to be forfeited and shall thereupon be awarded to the impounding officer for disposition in accordance with the written policy on disposition of impounded animals adopted by the board of supervisors.
B. Any animals adjudged forfeited under the provisions of Penal Code Section 597, shall be disposed of in accordance with the written policy on disposition of impounded animals adopted by the board of supervisors. (Ord. 534.6 § 4, 2007; Ord. 798 § 2Q, 1999; Ord. 534.5 § 15, 1991)