§ 6.04.010. Definitions.


Latest version.
  • As used in this title:

    "Altered," for a female, means having had the ovaries and uterus surgically removed: an ovariohysterectomy. "Altered," for a male means having had the testicles surgically removed.

    "Animal" includes but is not limited to, birds, fishes, reptiles and nonhuman mammals.

    "Animal use operation" means any commercial, noncommercial or hobby breeder operation as further described in this title.

    "At large" means being on any private property without permission of the person who owns or has a right to possess or use the property; or unrestrained by a leash on either public property, unless expressly permitted by law, or private property open to the public or in any place or manner which presents substantial risk of imminent interference with animal or public health, safety or welfare.

    "Business day" means any day that the department is open to the public as determined by the board of supervisors.

    "Cat" means a felis catus of either sex, altered or unaltered.

    "City" means the incorporated area of Arroyo Grande.

    "Commercial animal use operation" means any lot, building, structure, enclosure or premises whereon or wherein animals are kept or maintained for any commercial purpose, such as breeding, selling, advertising for sale, boarding or rental of animals; provided, that if more than one species of animal is kept for sale, barter or trade, the classification shall be that of a pet shop; and provided, further, this definition of "commercial animal operation" shall not be construed as applying to a duly licensed veterinary hospital or any public pound. The operation must be consistent with current zoning.

    "County" means the county of San Luis Obispo.

    "Animal shelter" means a premises selected by the director of animal control officer as a suitable facility for the requirements of this title.

    "Department" means the department of animal regulation, the chief animal control officer, and/or his or her duly authorized representative(s).

    "Dog" means a canis familiaris of either sex, altered or unaltered, or any other member of the canis genus, if owned, kept or harbored.

    "Dog license" means a properly completed certification issued by the county, including the dog owner's name, address and telephone; the dog's name and description, including breed, color, sex, year of birth; rabies vaccination date, rabies expiration date; license tag number and expiration date.

    "Health officer" means the San Luis Obispo County health officer or his or her appointed agents or deputies.

    "Hobby breeder operation" means any lot, structure, enclosure, building whereon or wherein a person is offering for sale, barter or trade household pets in a manner that is accessory to residential use. A person is considered to be operating a hobby breeder operation when:

    1.

    Offspring from any female is being offered for sale in an amount in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00) per animal;

    2.

    The owner is offering more than one litter for sale, barter or trade in a calendar year; and

    3.

    The owner is offering for sale, barter or trade more than one household pet of a species that bears single offspring for sale in one calendar year.

    In the case of dogs, each dog shall be individually licensed as provided in Section 6.16.160.

    "Household pets" means, but is not limited to, cats, dogs, canaries, parrots, fish, hamsters, rabbits, turtles, lizards, snakes, and other kindred animals usually and ordinarily kept as household pets.

    "Leash" means any rope, leather strap, chain, or other material being held in the hand of a person capable of controlling and actually controlling the animal to which it is attached.

    "License tag" means a piece of metal or other durable material inscribed with a number which has been issued by the county as the licensing agency.

    "Livestock" means horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and all other domestic or domesticated animals other than household pets.

    "Noncommercial animal operation" means any lot, building, structure, enclosure or premises whereon or wherein four or more dogs or cats are kept for noncommercial use, including, but not limited to, hunting and herding livestock.

    "Owner" means any person who is legal owner, keeper, harborer, possessor, or the actual custodian of an animal. Ownership is also established by a person registering as the owner of a license or other legal document or by a person claiming ownership and taking possession of an animal.

    "Pet shop" means any lot, building, structure, enclosure or premises whereon or wherein is carried on the business of buying and selling or bartering household pets. This definition shall not be construed as applying to the business or activities of a duly licensed veterinary hospital, nor to the business or activities of any public pound. The operation must be consistent with current zoning.

(Prior code § 6-1.11)