Ordinance 3903-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

ORDINANCE NO. 3903-22 An ORDINANCE Relating to Animal Control, AMENDING Chapter 6.04 EMC and EMC 6.08.025 WHEREAS, A. Chapter 6.04 EMC of the Animal Control code has not been updated since 2011. Several revisions are needed to be consist with State Law. Several other changes are also needed in order to keep our code consistent with neighboring communities and to reflect community values. B. It is appropriate to update punishments for violations of the Animal Control code to be consistent with State Law, including adding new crimes which have been adopted by the State, and to issue civil infractions (tickets) instead of non-jailable misdemeanor citations where a ticket is appropriate rather than criminal charges. It is also appropriate to add a bond requirement consistent with State Law for the long-term holding of animals seized with probable cause as part of a cruelty investigation. C. Although no retail pet stores currently sell cats, dogs, or rabbits in Everett, it is appropriate to prohibit the sale of cats and dogs consistent with changes to State Law. Due to the overpopulation of rabbits in our community and the financial burden this places on the Everett Animal Shelter, it is also appropriate to prohibit retail pet stores from selling rabbits. D. City Council finds that the City should encourage, secure, and enforce those animal control measures deemed desirable and necessary for the protection of human health, safety, and welfare and to prevent injury to property and cruelty to animal life. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF EVERETT DOES ORDAIN: Section 1. EMC 6.04.020 is amended as follows, with strikeouts removed and underlining added: 6.04.020 Definitions. As used in this chapter, the terms defined in this section shall have the defined meanings unless the context requires otherwise: “Adult dog or cat” means any dog or cat over the age of six months. “Animal” means any live vertebrate and invertebrate creature, reptile, amphibian, or bird, except Homo sapiens nonhuman mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian. Animal at Large. Any animal off the property of its owner, unless restrained by leash, tether, or other physical control device not to exceed eight feet in length and under the physical control of a responsible person, whether or not the owner of such