Animals at large: estrays: estray laws.

Existing law provides that, except as specified, state provisions relating to estrays, as defined, do not affect any law or regulation regarding estrays, the poundkeeper, or other pound officer within the limits of any city or county where laws regarding estrays are in force. This bill, instead, would provide that, except as specified, state provisions relating to estrays do not affect any law, ordinance, or regulation regarding estrays, the poundkeeper, or other pound officer, or a public animal control agency or shelter within the limits of any city or county where such laws, ordinances, or regulations are in force. Existing law requires the poundkeeper or other pound officer to immediately notify the Secretary of Food and Agriculture upon the impounding of any bovine animal, horse, mule, or burro. This bill would include a public animal control agency or shelter among those to which this provision applies. The bill would provide that the use of the term "animal control agency or shelter" is intended to update terminology and shall not be construed to expand the application of the provisions in this act to persons other than poundkeepers or pound officers. The bill would provide that a city, county, or city and county that establishes or has established laws, ordinances, or regulations regarding estrays may opt to follow those laws, ordinances, or regulations instead of state laws in the handling of estrays that are not bovine animals in accordance with the applicable laws, ordinances, or regulations of the city, county, or city and county.