Appendix 4428. Sale of commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores-prohibition.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to sell any dog, cat or rabbit in any pet store, retail business or other commercial establishment located in the unincorporated areas of the County, unless the dog, cat or rabbit was obtained from an animal shelter or a humane society located in the County of Ventura or a non-profit rescue and humane organization registered with the Division. For purposes of this Section, a rescue and humane organization is defined as a California non-profit public benefit corporation exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) that participates in the early spay/neuter of animals, complies with State and local laws regarding the humane treatment of animals, and whose mission and practice is, in whole or in significant part, the rescue and placement of dogs, cats and/or rabbits.

(b)

Any person selling a dog, cat or rabbit in violation of Section 4428 shall be given a notice of violation which shall quote pertinent provisions of Section 4428. If the person fails to comply with Section 4428 by ceasing to sell animals in violation of Section 4428(a) within sixty (60) days of receipt of the notice of violation, an Animal Control Officer, as defined in Section 4493-2, may issue an administrative citation assessing a civil penalty to that person in accordance with, and the person shall be subject to the administrative enforcement provisions set forth in, Article 8. The civil penalty for violation of Section 4428 shall be up to one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first violation, two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the second violation, and five hundred dollars ($500.00) for the third and following violations, or such other sums approved by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Every person who violates Section 4428 is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(c)

Section 4428 will become operative one (1) year after its effective date.

(Ord. No. 4457, § 1, 12-10-2013)