Santa Ana : Stiffer Animal-Control Law Tentatively OKd

People who violate the animal-control law could face misdemeanor charges under a city code amendment that received preliminary approval Monday.

The law currently considers animal-law violations infractions, punishable by maximum $100 fines.

Under the amendment, offenses would become misdemeanors, punishable by steeper fines as outlined in the amendment. The difference between an infraction and a misdemeanor is that an infraction is not punishable by imprisonment, nor is the person cited entitled to a jury trial, City Atty. Edward J. Cooper said.

Monday’s City Council action specifically targets people who violate dog leash laws. Dogs must be on leashes strong enough to support 40 pounds. The law also forbids dogs to trespass on private property. Penalties would be fixed at a minimum of $25 for a first offense and at least $100 for a second conviction within one year.

Leash-law violations currently carry penalties between $10 and $100.

Also facing stiffer fines are people who fail to shelter females in heat from other dogs. Existing $25 to $100 fines would increase to a minimum of $50 and at least $100 for subsequent offenses.

Cooper asked for the amendment because judges have refused to issue arrest warrants on people who receive citations and who fail to appear in court voluntarily.

Currently, he said, if judges issue warrants, “they may be ordering incarceration for non-incarceration offense, thereby subjecting the judge to individual civil rights liability.”

Since misdemeanor offenders are subject to imprisonment, “the judges should feel more comfortable in issuing arrest warrants if the (cited) person fails to voluntarily appear in court,” Cooper said.