It is the intent of the Board of County Commissioners in adopting this Resolution that the Pet Animal Owners be responsible for their Pet Animals conduct, that they exercise control with respect to their Pet Animals in a manner which recognizes the rights, health and safety of others in the community, and that they be held strictly liable for conduct of their Pet Animals which violates the provisions of this Resolution.
Table of Contents
Section 2. Definitions
For the purposes of this Resolution, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
2.1 "ABANDON" means a) to fail to provide any necessary care for any Pet Animal, whether on public or private property, for any period of 24 hours or longer or b) to deposit, leave drop off or otherwise dispose of any Pet Animal on public or private property without providing necessary care. For the purposes of this Resolution, any Pet Animal is presumed to be abandoned if, after the posting or personal service of written notice describing deficiencies and such deficiencies are not corrected within 24 hours of such notice by any person other than an Animal Control officer.
2.2 "ANIMAL" means any living dumb creature.
2.3 "ANIMAL CONTROL" means the personnel and equipment of the Summit County Animal Control and Shelter Department assigned primarily to duties related to the enforcement of this resolution. Regular deputies of the Summit County Sheriff's Department may perform any of the functions of Animal Control.
2.4 "ANIMAL SHELTER" means any and all facilities and premises authorized by Summit County to care for Animals impounded pursuant to the provisions of this and other applicable laws enforced by Animal Control.
2.5 "ATTACK" means aggressive behavior resulting in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death to another person or Animal.
2.6 "BITE" means the piercing, laceration, or breaking of the skin by the teeth or jaws of any Animal.
2.7 "BODILY INJURY" means any physical injury that results in severe bruising, muscle tears, skin lacerations or physical pain requiring professional treatment.
2.8 "CAT" means any Animal of the species Felis catus or any hybrid thereof.
2.9 "CONTROL" means supervision of, or influence over, any Animal sufficient to prevent such Animal from being in violation of any of the provisions of this Resolution.
2.10 "COUNTY" means the County of Summit, State of Colorado, except for the incorporated municipalities within Summit County.
2.11 "CONVICTION" means a finding of guilt by a court or acknowledgement of guilt by payment of fine pursuant to the penalty assessment procedure.
2.12 "DANGEROUS ANIMAL" means any Animal that has inflicted bodily injury or serious bodily injury upon or has caused the death of a person or Animal.
2.13 "DOG" means any animal of the family Canidae, regardless of sex and including but not limited to those related to the wolf, fox, coyote or any other domestic canid hybrid thereof.
2.14 "HABITUAL OFFENDER" means any Animal Owner who has pled guilty to, or been found guilty of, violating any provision of this Resolution three times within any eighteen month period. For the purposes of this Resolution, any disposition of charges involving probation or deferred judgment and sentencing shall be considered to be convictions.
2.15 "HUMANE TRAP" means any live traps which are designed not to cause bodily harm to the Animal intended to be captured or bodily harm to any Animal or person coming in contact with such trap.
2.16 "IMMEDIATE CONTROL" means control of an Animal by the physical presence of a responsible person, within (ten) 10 feet of the Animal and such responsible person does exhibit voice control over the Animal so as to prevent it from being a Public Nuisance or from being in violation of any part of this Resolution.
2.17 "KENNEL-COMMERCIAL" means any location or Premises where quantities of more than 4 dogs, or 6 cats, or any combination of more than 8 dogs and cats, which are of the age of three months or more, are kept, Owned, possessed, or otherwise allowed to reside. The purpose or outcome of keeping said animals is to provide compensation, gains or a profit, or practice for a business venture in order to constitute a "Kennel-Commercial". A Kennel under such definition, if not currently licensed as a Pet Animal Facility pursuant to Part 1, Article 80 of Title 35, C.R.S., shall be licensed as such under this Resolution and pay an annual licensing fee as determined by the Board of County Commissioners. Any veterinary hospital which boards pet animals for the purpose of veterinary care only and does not actively solicit boarding in any way is exempt from this licensing requirement.
2.18 "KENNEL - NON-COMMERCIAL" means any location where quantities of more than 4 dogs, or 6 cats, or any combination of more than 8 dogs and cats, which are of the age of three months or more, are kept, Owned, possessed or otherwise allowed to reside. The purpose or outcome of keeping said animals shall provide for the personal recreation, enjoyment or use by the Owner not resulting in compensation, profit, gains or practice for a business venture shall constitute a Kennel - Non-Commercial. A Kennel under such definition, if not currently licensed as a Pet Animal Facility pursuant to Part 1, Article 80 of Title 35, C.R.S., shall be licensed as such under this Resolution and pay an annual licensing fee as determined by the Board of County Commissioners.
2.19 "MISTREATMENT" means every act or omission which causes, or unreasonably permits the continuation of, unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering.
2.20 "NECESSARY CARE" for a Pet Animal includes but is not limited to providing food, water, protection from the weather, socialization, and removal of waste from the Animal's enclosure.
2.21 "NEGLECT" means failure to provide food, water, protection from the weather, opportunity for exercise, socialization, or other care consistent with the needs of the species of the Animal in question.
2.22 "OWNER" means a person, firm, corporation, or organization possessing, keeping, having financial or property interest in, or having control or custody of any Animal including any parent, guardian or legal custodian of any unemancipated minor child under eighteen years of age who owns, possesses or keeps any animal.
2.23 "PET ANIMAL" means Dogs, Cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, ferrets, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, or any species of wild or domestic or hybrid Animal sold, transferred, or retained for the purpose of being kept as a household pet, except livestock, and includes any other Animal specified in 35-80-102(10), C.R.S., as that may be amended from time to time. As used herein, "livestock" includes cattle, horses, mules, burros, sheep, poultry, swine, llama, goats, and any other animal, when used for working purposes or raised for food or fiber production on a farm or ranch. "Pet Animal" does not include an Animal used for working purposes on a farm or ranch or a Working Dog in the process of being worked.
2.24 "PET ANIMAL FACILITY" means any facility licensed as such pursuant to the provisions of Part 1 Article 80 of Title 35, C.R.S., not including those Kennels as otherwise defined herein.
2.25 "PHYSICAL CONTROL" means control of an Animal by means of a Tether, or a leash attached to the Animal and held by a responsible person; or, confinement within a locked vehicle or locked enclosure sufficient to prevent the Animal from escaping or making contact with other persons or Animals.
2.26 "POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ANIMAL" means any Pet Animal or Working Dog that when unprovoked:
-
Inflicts any laceration or bruising upon a human or another Animal, or,
-
Chases or approaches a person on any property other than the Owner's in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack.
-
Is a venomous Animal, or,
-
Is an Animal possessing physical characteristics or demonstrated tendencies that would cause a reasonable person to conclude that the Animal is likely to inflict injury or cause the death of any person or another Animal.
2.27 "PREMISES" means property owned, leased, or expressly permitted for use by an Owner. "Premises" includes any confined area or locality such as a residence, business, room, shop, building, motor vehicle, including the open bed of a truck when the Animal's presence is authorized by the owner of such confined area or locality.
2.28 "PROTECTIVE CUSTODY" means the taking of an Animal into custody by Animal Control to prevent the Mistreatment, Neglect, or Abandonment of such Animal; or, impoundment of an Animal because of the Owner's inability to care for the Animal due to incarceration, incapacitation, or transport to a medical treatment facility.
2.29 "PROVOCATION" means harassment, teasing, threatening, tormenting, abusing, striking at, attacking, or inflicting injury upon an Animal, or its Owner in the Animal's presence, by either a person or another Animal.
2.30 "PUBLIC NUISANCE" may mean an Animal infected with rabies, or a stray Pet Animal, or a repeatedly or continuously barking Dog which disturbs the peace of humans, or a Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Dog not properly enclosed or restrained, or an unconfined female Dog in estrus, or a Dog or Cat that deposits excrement on public or private property other than that of the Owner and such excrement is not promptly removed by the Owner or person responsible for the Dog or Cat.
2.31 "QUARANTINE" means the confinement of an Animal for observation to detect symptoms of disease.
2.32 "RABIES REGISTRATION" means the vaccination of an Animal with an anti-rabies vaccine administered under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, and the retention of a certificate of rabies vaccination by the Animal Owner.
2.33 "SECURE ANIMAL ENCLOSURE" means a structure which is suitable to prevent the escape of the Animal and prevents the entry of persons, including children, and other Animals; having a top, bottom, all sides, and is locked. A Secure Animal Enclosure for a Dangerous Animal(s) shall be posted with signs on all sides which are visible and legible to passersby, warning of the presence of a Dangerous Animal.
2.34 "SERIOUS BODILY INJURY" means such injury which, either at the time of the actual injury or at a later time, involves a substantial risk of death, a substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement, a substantial risk of protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body, or breaks, fractures or burns of the second or third degree.
2.35 "SOCIALIZATION" means activities that enable a Pet Animal to develop or improve its ability to get along well with other Pet Animals, the Owner, or other people.
2.36."TETHER" means to tie, chain, or leash any Pet Animal upon an Owner's property, or on any inanimate object other than upon the Owner's own property.
2.37 "TRESPASS" means the entry of an Animal upon any private property other than that of the Animal's Owner or upon public property which is posted as not permitting Pet Animals.
2.38 "WORKING DOG" means a Dog which is actually in the process of working livestock, locating or retrieving wild game in season for a licensed hunter, assisting law enforcement officers, assisting in rescue efforts, is a recognized service dog or is in the process of being trained for these purposes.
Table of Contents
Section 3. Vaccination of pet animals required
3.1 Owners of Pet Animals and Working Dogs which are harbored, kept, or maintained in Summit County, for which Animals the United States Department of Agriculture has licensed a rabies vaccine, shall (i) have vaccinated by or under the supervision of, a licensed veterinarian, (ii) maintain the duration of effectiveness of the vaccination, and (iii) maintain proof of current Rabies Registration for their Pet Animals and Working Dogs.
3.2 Pet Animals and Working Dogs shall be vaccinated when the animal reaches the age of three months or is licensed (if applicable), whichever occurs first, and the vaccination shall be repeated as necessary in accordance with the recommendations of the United States Department of Agriculture or vaccine manufacturer to maintain duration of the vaccination as determined valid by a licensed veterinarian.
Table of Contents
Section 4. Annual licensing of dogs and kennels
All Dogs Owned, harbored, kept, or maintained in Summit County shall be individually licensed, except for those dogs kept as part of the operation of a licensed Pet Animal Facility under the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act or a Kennel as defined herein which shall be licensed separately.
4.1 All Dogs over the age of three months shall have a valid Summit County Pet Animal license after the Dog has been Owned, kept, maintained, or harbored in the County for any consecutive fourteen day period or immediately upon citation for any violation of this Resolution.
4.2 A Dog license shall be valid for one year or three years depending upon duration of the rabies vaccination and is to be specified at the time of the purchase of said license. An Owner shall obtain the renewal of said Dog license or Kennel license prior to the expiration of the current Dog license or Kennel license.
4.3 A valid Dog license tag shall be attached to a collar or harness and shall be worn by the Dog at all times. If any Dog is unable to wear a collar or harness because of a permanent medical condition certified by a veterinarian, or because a Dog is worked in a capacity that makes the wearing of a collar or harness hazardous to the Dog, the Owner of the Dog must have the animal tattooed for identification purposes, or identified by implanted microchip, or in a manner approved by the Animal Control Department.
4.4 A dog license shall be comprised of and evidenced by a written license form and a current Dog license tag. A Kennel license shall be comprised of a written approved license form issued by the Animal Control Department.
4.5 The Summit County Animal Control Department and/or any agency or person designated by the Board of County Commissioners may issue a Dog license upon the receipt of the executed application and evidence of current Rabies Registration and payment of any license fees as applicable.
4.6 A Kennel License may be issued upon receipt of the proper application, proof of current Rabies Registration for all Pet Animals kept, owned or maintained at the Premises, and receipt of payment of applicable fees as determined by the Board of County Commissioners for the type of kennel operated. Prior to issuance of the Kennel License, the applicant's Premises, Kennel areas or locality where Pet Animals are maintained shall be inspected by an agent of the Animal Control Department for the purpose of determining that there is compliance with all other aspects of this Resolution as stated herein.
Table of Contents
Section 5. Voluntary cat identification
Owners of cats harbored, kept or maintained in Summit County are entitled to obtain an identification tag suitable to be worn on a collar or harness. Cat identification tags will be available from the Animal Control Department, and/or any agency or person designated by the Board of County Commissioners upon the receipt of the executed application and payment of the identification tag fee.
Table of Contents
Section 6. Failure to control a pet animal
It shall be unlawful, considered a failure to Control a Pet Animal, when:
6.1 A Pet Animal is off the Owner's Premises without the presence of a person having Control as defined in this Resolution;
6.2 A Pet Animal becomes a hazard to any person or property;
6.3 A Pet Animal is Tethered upon any public or private property without the permission of the person owning, leasing, or otherwise controlling the property in question;
6.4 Any Pet Animal reaches past the perimeter of the Owner's Premises with its teeth or claws causing or threatening Bodily Injury or property damage to another;
6.5 A Pet Animal is allowed to defecate on public or private property and the Owner or responsible person does not remove the waste in a timely manner;
6.6 A female Pet Animal, during estrus, is not under Physical Control, confined indoors or confined within a Secure Animal Enclosure;
6.7 A Pet Animal is not under Physical Control in areas posted by any agency of the Federal government, the County, State of Colorado, or any political subdivision of the State as requiring the animal to be on a leash;
6.8 Any Pet Animal is kept or left in circumstances which constitute Mistreatment, Abandonment or in any circumstance requiring Protective Custody; or
6.9 Any pet animal is otherwise determined to be a Public Nuisance.
Table of Contents
Section 7. Interference with an owner's control of a pet animal
It shall be unlawful for any person to perform any act which interferes with, prevents, or hinders the efforts of an Owner to Control any of the Owner's Pet Animals.
Table of Contents
Section 8. Interference with an animal control officer
8.1 No person shall interfere with, molest, hinder, prevent, or obstruct an Animal Control Officer in his/her performance of duty pursuant to this Resolution.
8.2 No person shall remove any animal from the Public Custody without the consent of an Animal Control Officer.
Table of Contents
Section 9. Designation of dangerous and potentially dangerous animals
9.1 Animal Control Officers or the Court shall have the authority to and shall designate any Pet Animal or Working Dog as Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous when the preponderance of evidence is that the animal displays any of the characteristics set forth in Sections 2.12 or 2.26 of this Resolution.
9.2 When an Animal has been designated by an Animal Control Officer as a Dangerous or a Potentially Dangerous Animal, the Owner has the right to request an administrative hearing to show cause as to why the animal should not be considered a Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Animal. Such request must be made in writing within 30 days after the designation. The burden of proof shall be on the Owner to demonstrate that the behavior of the animal does not support the designation of Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous. The Board of County Commissioners or its designee shall preside at such hearing. Written requests must be made in writing and submitted by mail or personal delivery to: The Summit County Board of County Commissioners, Attn: Public Safety Director, P.O. Box 68, Breckenridge, Co. 80424.
9.3 Affirmative defenses. Except with respect to an Animal trained for or that has engaged in Animal fighting as that is described in §18-9-204, C.R.S., an affirmative defense to the declaration of a Potentially Dangerous or Dangerous Animal shall be that:
-
The Animal attacked was trespassing upon the Premises of the Owner, and the attack began, although it did not necessarily end, upon such Premises;
-
The Animal attacked was biting or otherwise threatening or attacking the Owner or the Owner's animal;
-
The person attacked was committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense other than a petty offense not including third degree criminal trespass as defined in 18-4-504 of the C.R.S, against a person on the Owner's Premises or against the Premises itself, and the attack which did not cause Serious Bodily Injury began, although did not necessarily end, upon such Premises;
-
The person attacked had tormented, provoked, abused, or inflicted injury upon the animal.
9.4 When an Animal Control Officer or Peace Officer reasonably believes that an Animal is Potentially Dangerous or Dangerous and is not under Proper Control, that Officer may use any available means to prevent the endangerment of any person or other animal. Such means shall include impounding the animal or immediate destruction of the animal after making every reasonable attempt to seize and impound the animal, including solicitation of assistance from the Owner if such Owner is known and available. If the Officer reasonably determines that said animal cannot be seized and impounded without exposing the officer or other persons to danger of Bodily Injury or Serious Bodily Injury, it shall be lawful for the officer to destroy said animal without notice to the Owner.
Table of Contents
Section 10. Control of dangerous and potentially dangerous animals
Owners of Dangerous Animal(s) or Potentially Dangerous Animals shall at all times exercise Proper Control over such animal(s).
10.1 "Proper Control of a Dangerous Animal" is:
-
While on the Owner's Premises, a Dangerous Animal shall be confined indoors or in a Secure Animal Enclosure; and
-
While off the Owner's Premises, a Dangerous Animal shall be under the Physical Control of the Owner or other responsible person.
10.2 "Proper Control of a Potentially Dangerous Animal" is:
-
While on the Owner's Premises, a Potentially Dangerous Animal shall be controlled by a chain, leash, or other confinement suitable to prevent the animal from leaving or reaching outside the Owner's Premises; and
- While off the Owner's Premises, a Potentially Dangerous Animal shall be under the Physical Control of the Owner or other responsible person.
Table of Contents
Section 11. Duty to report animal bites and injury caused by animals
It shall be unlawful for any medical personnel who provide treatment to a person or animal for an animal bite or injury caused by a Pet Animal to fail to report to the Summit County Animal Control Department any information known regarding the animal bite or injury. The report shall be made within 24 hours after such information is received, and shall include with the report the name, address, and telephone number of the person making the report. The report may be made by telephone to the Animal Control Office or left on voice mail or communicated by other electronic means.
Table of Contents
Section 12. Duty to produce biting animal for inspection or quarantine
Upon the request of an Animal Control Officer, an Owner shall make available for inspection and/or Quarantine any Pet Animal or Working Dog which has bitten a person or is suspected of biting a person.
12.1 If the Quarantine of a Pet Animal is deemed necessary, the location and place of Quarantine shall be determined by the Animal Control Department.
12.2 All costs of a Quarantine shall be the responsibility of the Owner.
12.3 If the Quarantine of a Pet Animal is deemed necessary, the disposition of the Animal will be at the discretion of the Animal Control Department in accordance with the requirements set forth in 16.1 - 16.2 and 16.5 of this Resolution.
Table of Contents
Section 13. Failure to comply with certain terms of a sales or adoption agreement or contract
It shall be unlawful to fail to comply with any of the terms of an adoption or fostering agreement or contract when the Animal is obtained from the Summit County Animal Shelter pursuant to such agreement or contract.
Table of Contents
Section 14. Impoundment of animals
14.1 An Animal Control Officer may impound any Animal that is not under Control as required by this Resolution, or when it and/or its Owner is in violation of any of the provisions of this Resolution.
14.2 An Animal Control Officer may impound any Potentially Dangerous or Dangerous Animal that is not under Proper Control. An Animal Control Officer may perform such impoundment prior to notifying the Owner, if such Owner is not immediately present to exercise Proper Control of such Animal.
14.3 As soon as practical after the impoundment of any Animal, an Animal Control Officer shall make a reasonable effort to notify the Owner of the animal's location by telephone, posting of a notice at the Owner's residence, or by written notice mailed to the Owner's last known address, if the identity of the Owner is known. If needed to establish the identity of the Owner, information contained on any identification, rabies, or license tag found attached to the animal shall be used.
Table of Contents
Section 15. Owner's duty to redeem animal and pay fees
15.1 The Owner of any impounded Animal shall be held responsible for all the costs of impoundment, including medical treatment and boarding, and such costs shall be fully paid prior to the release of the Animal. In addition, prior to release the Owner shall pay for the rabies vaccination or provide proof of current Rabies Registration.
15.2 Prior to release of any impounded Dog, the Owner shall pay for a Summit County Dog license or provide proof of current licensure in Summit County or in the place the Animal regularly is kept.
15.3 It shall be unlawful for any Owner to fail to make arrangements for the redemption, surrender, or disposition of any Animal impounded pursuant to the provisions of this Resolution, or to fail to pay any fees associated with the redemption, surrender, or disposition of such animal.
Table of Contents
Section 16. Disposition of impounded animals
16.1 Any Pet Animal impounded pursuant to the provisions of this Resolution, shall become the property of the Summit County Animal Control after 5 days of impoundment, after which the Animal Control Department may humanely euthanize the animal. For purposes of this section, a "day" means a 24-hour period beginning at the time of the day at, and on the date on, which the Animal was taken into Public Custody.
16.2 An impounded Pet Animal which is sick, seriously injured, or possibly contagious to other animals and is not identifiable to an Owner is not subject to a minimum impoundment period and may be euthanized immediately.
In the event an impounded Pet Animal which is sick, seriously injured or possibly contagious to other animals is identifiable to an Owner, Summit County Animal Control shall diligently attempt to contact the Owner within 24 hours after the impoundment after which time the animal may be euthanized if it is still unclaimed.
16.3 After the required time period, in lieu of having an Animal destroyed, the Summit County Animal Control Department may release any Pet Animal which is not diseased to a bona fide humane society, rescue group or to a person having no previous ownership interest in the Animal. Upon release of the Animal, the recipient shall pay a fee as established by the County, including but not limited to fees for adoption, rabies vaccinations, Dog License, and sterilization costs.
16.4 All Animals adopted from the Summit County Animal Shelter are required to be sterilized at the time of adoption unless such surgery would be dangerous to the Animal due to its age or physical condition, as determined by the selected veterinarian of record. Transfer of Ownership shall not occur until sterilization of the Animal has been performed, although possession may be given to the adopting Owner upon his or her promise to have the sterilization performed by a specified date.
16.5 Nothing in this section or this Resolution shall be construed to prevent any Animal Control Officer, Animal Shelter Staff, or Peace Officer from taking whatever action is reasonably necessary to protect himself or others from Bodily Injury or Serious Bodily Injury by any animal.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 17. Threatening of livestock or wildlife
17.1 It shall be unlawful to fail to control any Pet Animal so as to prevent such Animal from endangering, chasing, pursuing, biting, attacking, or in any other way harassing, tormenting or threatening livestock or wildlife.
17.2 Any Animal threatening livestock or wildlife may be immediately destroyed at the discretion of any Animal Control Officer. If not destroyed, the Animal shall be immediately impounded.
17.3 A violation of this section shall require a mandatory court appearance by the Owner. Upon conviction, if the Animal was not destroyed at the time of the incident, the court may order it destroyed under the supervision of the Animal Control Department; if the court does not order the animal destroyed, the court shall deem the animal a Dangerous Animal, and possession shall be returned to the Owner subject to the regulations applicable to Dangerous Animals under this Resolution and other state law. Upon a second conviction of a violation of this section with respect to a specific Animal, the court shall order the destruction of the animal under the supervision of the Animal Control Department.
17.4 Upon conviction of any violation of this section, the Owner shall be required by the court to pay restitution for any livestock or wildlife injured or killed by the Owner's Animal.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 18. Nuisance animal noise and feces
18.1 It is unlawful for any Owner to fail to prevent his Pet Animal from disturbing the peace of any other person by habitual or persistent barking, howling, yelping, or whining, or any other unprovoked noise, whether the Animal is on or off the Owner's property.
18.2 It is unlawful for any Owner to permit the accumulation of a Pet Animal's feces on the property on which the Animal is kept such that it is detectable visually or odoriferously by neighbors.
18.3 It is unlawful for any Owner to fail to confine Pet Animal feces, and any part thereof, within the perimeters of the property on which the Animal is kept, regardless whether such failure to confine is the result of natural causes, such as surface water flow, or other causes.
18.4 No person shall be charged with a violation of this section unless a written warning for a separate violation has been given at least forty eight hours prior to the issuance of the citation. The name and address of the complainant shall appear on the written warning.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 19. Habitual offender
It shall be unlawful for any person to become a Habitual Offender as defined in this Resolution. Any person may be charged as a Habitual Offender in addition to any other charges brought pursuant to the provisions of this Resolution. Upon the conviction of an Owner as a Habitual Offender, the Owner's offending Animal(s) may be ordered removed from Summit County, along with any other penalties imposed by the Court.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 20. Enforcement
Animal Control Officers have the authority to issue a Summons and Complaint or penalty assessment to any alleged violator of this Resolution. The provisions of this Resolution may be enforced by the County Sheriff and respective deputies, the Summit County Animal Control Officers, or by any peace officer. The fine or other penalty shall be as provided in the Summit County Animal Control Resolution or as otherwise provided by law.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 21. Penalties
The following fines shall apply to any such violation and shall be applied either through the penalty assessment procedure of § 16-2-201, C.R.S., or by the court after conviction, in which case the court shall also assess the appropriate court costs:
-
For all violations not involving a Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Animal:
First offense: $ 50.00
Second offense within the 18 months: $100.00
Subsequent offense within the 18 months: $200.00
-
For all violations involving Potentially Dangerous Animal violations:
First offense: $100.00
Second offense within the 18 months: $200.00
Subsequent offenses within the 18 months: Mandatory court appearance and minimum fine of $300.00
-
For all violations involving a Dangerous Animal, a Habitual Offender charge, failing to redeem an Animal, failure to pay fines or fees, or threatening of livestock or wildlife:
Any offense: Mandatory court appearance
Minimum fine upon conviction of $300.00 plus all associated costs and restitutions.
The above-stated fines are minimum penalties and all violations are subject to the general fine and imprisonment provisions of § 30-15-102, C.R.S.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 22. Power of court
In addition to any penalties which may be provided for in this Resolution, the court shall have the authority, upon making a finding that an Animal constitutes a Public Nuisance or that any Pet Animal constitutes a real and present danger to the citizens of the County, to order that the Animal be destroyed in a humane fashion.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 23. Liability for accident or subsequent disease from impoundment
The Board of County Commissioners, its employees, agents and persons authorized herein to enforce the provisions of this Resolution, shall not be held responsible for any accident or subsequent disease which may be suffered by a person or an Animal as a result of the administration or implementation of this Resolution.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 24. Notice and evidence of warnings
An Owner shall be deemed to have been issued and received an appropriate notice or warning as herein referred if the warning is personally served upon the Owner, posted on the Owner's Premises, or placed in the U. S. Mail, postage prepaid and addressed to the Owner according to the last address given by the Owner to obtain a Dog License or cat identification tag, or to such other address as may be on file for the Owner with any government agency.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 25. Hot pursuit
An Animal Control Officer in hot pursuit of any Animal in apparent violation of this Resolution may enter onto private property for the purposes of enforcing this Resolution, including for the purpose of effecting an impoundment, removing the Animal from the property, ascertaining the identity of the Animal and/or the current status or existence of Dog tags, or issuing a citation. This section, however, does not grant any Animal Control Officer authority to enter into any dwelling without permission of the Owner, search warrant or Order of the Court.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 26. Animal control officers
26.1 There is hereby created the position of Summit County Animal Control Officer who shall be employed by the County and appointed as such by the Board of County Commissioners, acting directly or through the County's chief administrative officer, at such compensation and such qualifications as from time to time shall be fixed by order of the Board.
26.2 Pursuant to §30-15-105, C.R.S., personnel engaged in animal control, however titled or administratively assigned, may issue citations or summonses and complaints enforcing this Resolution. Personnel so engaged shall be included in the definition of "Peace Officer or Fireman" in §18-3-201 (2), C.R.S., and, to the extent such personnel are empowered to do so by the laws governing the state bureau of animal protection, are hereby authorized to carry out the enforcement of the laws for the prevention of cruelty to animals pursuant to § 35-42-101, C.R.S. et seq. Nothing herein is intended to vest authority in any person so engaged to enforce any resolution or statute other than this Resolution.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 27. Disposition of fines and forfeitures
All fines and forfeitures for violation of any provisions of this Resolution and all moneys collected by the County for licenses or other related costs shall be deposited in accordance with procedures as approved by the County Treasurer upon receipt.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 28. Captions
The captions and paragraph headings used throughout this Resolution are for the convenience of reference only, and the words contained herein shall in no way be held or deemed to define, limit, describe, explain, modify, amplify or add to the interpretation, construction or meaning of any provision to or the scope of this Resolution.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 29. Terms
For convenience, defined terms usually have been capitalized within this Resolution. Words used herein shall have their natural meaning, their statutory meaning if applicable, or the meaning set forth in the definitions, according to the context in which they appear, regardless of capitalization.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 30. Severability
If any provisions of this Resolution or the application thereof to any party or circumstance shall to any extent be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Resolution and the application of such provision to parties or circumstances other than those to which it is invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each provision of this Resolution shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 31. Repealer
Upon the effective date of this Resolution, the Summit County Animal Control Resolution of 1983, Resolution No. 83-14, shall be repealed and replaced by this Resolution. That repeal shall not affect any offense or act committed or done or any penalty or forfeiture incurred or any right established or occurring before the effective date of this Resolution.
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 32. Title
This Resolution shall be known as the "Summit County Animal Control Resolution of 1996".
Table of Contents
Back to Local Regulations
Section 33. Effective date
All provisions of this Resolution shall be effective on ______ of _______, 1996.
MOVED, READ AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Summit at it's regular meeting held the _____ day of ________ 1996.
|