Pasadena Municipal Code Ch. 6.40 Restriction on Display of Animals on City Property

This chapter shall be known as the "Animal Display Ordinance."

(Ord. 6866 § 2 (part), 2001)

It is the intent of this chapter to control hazards to the physical and mental health of the public and to promote the protection of animals by restricting the display of animals for public entertainment or amusement in the city of Pasadena. See Table 6.40.020 following this section.

Table 6.40.020

ANIMAL DISPLAY ORDINANCE

(Ord. 6866 § 2 (part), 2001)

(Ord. No. 7348, § 2, 6-10-2019)

As used in this chapter the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

"Display" means to undertake any exhibition, act, circus, public show, trade show, photographic opportunity, carnival, ride, parade, petting zoo, race, performance or similar undertaking in which animals are required to perform tricks, fight or participate in performances for the amusement or entertainment of an audience. Display shall not include the use or exhibition of animals for educational or therapeutic purposes by institutions that are accredited by the American Zoological Association, by the Association of Sanctuaries, or the city poundmaster. "Displayed" means to be the subject thereof.

"Domestic animal" means any animal that is livestock, a companion animal, or both. "Livestock" means any species of animal commonly used for food, fiber, or draft purposes. "Companion animal" means any species of animal commonly kept by inhabitants as a pet or for companionship, excluding snakes, venomous reptiles or venomous amphibians.

"Wild or exotic animal" means any or all of the following animals, whether bred in the wild or in captivity, and also any or all of their hybrids with domestic species. It is not the intent of this section to include domesticated species such as horses, cows, sheep, or llamas among the animals listed below. The words in parentheses are intended to act as examples only and are not to be construed as being an exhaustive list or to otherwise limit the generality of each group of animals:

1. Nonhuman primates and prosimians (such as chimpanzees, monkeys);

2. Felids, except domesticated cats;

3. Canids, including wolf hybrids and except domesticated dogs;

4. Ursids (bears);

5. Elephants;

6. Marine mammals (such as seals, sea lions, dolphins, otters);

7. Crocodilians (such as alligators and crocodiles);

8. Marsupials (such as kangaroos and opossums);

9. Snakes and reptiles;

10. Ungulates (such as hippopotamus, rhinoceros, giraffes, zebra, deer);

11. Hyenas;

12. Mustelids (such as skunks, weasels, otters and badgers);

13. Procyonids (such as raccoons and coatis);

14. Endentates (such as anteaters, sloth and armadillos);

15. Viverrids (such as mongooses, civets, and genets);

16. Camels; and

17. Cetaceans.

"Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, joint venture, association, trust, estate or any other legal entity and any officer, member, shareholder, director, employee, agent or representative of same.

"Rodeo" shall mean a public performance featuring bronco riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, and bull riding.

(Ord. 6866 § 2 (part), 2001)

A. It is unlawful for any person to display animals for sale, adoption, barter, or exchange, whether for compensation or otherwise, on any public sidewalk within the city.

B. This prohibition shall not apply to government agencies; non-profit animal rescue organizations exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3); humane societies; permitted dog or cat shows; or permitted pet stores which sell or transfer animals within the store.

(Ord. No. 7348, § 3, 6-10-2019)

A. It is unlawful for any person to display or sponsor a display of wild or exotic animals on any public property within the city.

B. It is unlawful for any person to conduct or participate in rodeos within the city on public property.

(Ord. 6866 § 2 (part), 2001)

A. It is unlawful for any person to display domestic animals on public property unless such display is pursuant to a required statement of registration and approval by the public health department. The statement of registration must be filed with the public health department at least 14 days prior to the date on which the animals are scheduled for display.

B. The statement of registration shall include the following information:

1. Date and location of event where animal will be displayed;

2. List and description of each animal to be displayed at the event;

3. Description of what the animal will be used for during the event;

4. Type of housing, bedding and food to be provided for animals used in the event;

5. Special equipment required to handle the animal during the event;

6. Declaration of any animal registered with the California Department of Fish and Game, the federal government's Fish and Wildlife Department or any other governmental agencies;

7. List of past complaints, citations or investigations involving sustained allegations of cruelty to animals conducted by a local humane society or animal control agency while animals have been under the control of the registrant.

C. The statement of registration shall be stamped approved by the city poundmaster and returned to the registrant unless it is determined that:

1. The proposed use of the animal poses a threat to the public's health and safety, or would qualify as cruel or inhumane treatment of the animal in the reasonable and objective determination of the city poundmaster;

2. The registrant fails to file the statement of registration within the prescribed period before the event.

(Ord. 6866 § 2 (part), 2001)

A. It is unlawful for any person to display snakes or lizards on public property unless such display is pursuant to a required statement of registration and approval by the public health department. The statement of registration must be filed with the public health department at least 14 days prior to the date on which the animals are scheduled for display.

B. The statement of registration shall contain the same information required in Section 6.40.050(B).

C. It is lawful to display snakes or lizards when such display is related to authorized educational purposes and does not endanger public health or safety.

(Ord. 6866 § 2 (part), 2001)

Filming companies shall be required to disclose to the city's filming and special events office if any animals shall be used before scheduled filming begins, and to comply with the requirements of the American Humane Association regarding treatment of animals during filming.

(Ord. 6866 § 2 (part), 2001)

A registrant may appeal a denial of permission to display an animal by filing a written statement of appeal with the environmental health division manager, explaining the basis of the appeal. Within 7 days of a denial, the environmental health division manager shall conduct an informal office hearing with the registrant to consider the appeal, and issue a written decision on the appeal within 2 days of the hearing date.

(Ord. 6866 § 2 (part), 2001)

This chapter shall be enforced as provided in Chapter 1.26. Any person displaying or sponsoring a display of wild or exotic animals in violation of this chapter shall be assessed an administrative fine as provided in Section 1.26.060.

(Ord. 6866 § 2 (part), 2001)

The following displays of animals are exempt from this chapter:

A. A display of wild or exotic animals for educational or therapeutic purposes under the sponsorship of institutions accredited by the American Zoological Association, Association of Sanctuaries, or the city poundmaster;

B. Organized dog and cat exhibitions in city parks;

C. Horses used during Tournament of Roses Parade events.

(Ord. 6866 § 2 (part), 2001)

TITLE 6 FOOTNOTES

1. For statutory provisions regarding the dog catcher, see Agric. Code § 31106; for provisions regarding impounding of dogs, see Agric. Code § 31101.

Cross Reference: Claims Against the City, see Ch. 2.58.

2. For statutory provisions authorizing cities to seize and impound dogs found running at large, see Agric. Code § 31101.

3. For statutory provisions regarding dog license fees, see Gov. Code § 38792 and Agric. Code §§ 30501, 30502.

4. For statutory provisions regarding animals running at large, see Agric. Code § 17001 et seq.; for provisions regarding inhumane impounding, see Pen. Code § 5973.

5. For statutory provisions regarding rabies control, see Health & Saf. Code § 1900 et seq.