§ 6.24.130. Hunting and trapping of wild animals.

A.

Purpose and Findings. The town council of the town of Paradise does find that hunting and trapping of wild vertebrate animals within the town limits creates a significant hazard to the health, safety and welfare of its citizens. This section is enacted to protect the health, safety and welfare of persons within the town limits.

B.

Definition. For purposes of this section, the term "wildlife" means any and all vertebrate animals.

C.

Hunting and Trapping of Wild Animals Within the Town Limits Prohibited. It is unlawful within the town to shoot, trap, snare, capture, wound, poison, molest or kill any species of wildlife or to take or destroy the nests or eggs or young of any wildlife, with the exception of any poisonous reptiles, mice, rats, gophers, moles or insects; provided, however, that if it shall be determined by the health officer or the director of animal control services, or his or her authorized representatives, that wildlife has become a menace to any person's health, safety or property, the health officer or the director of animal control services, or his or her authorized designee, shall issue a permit authorizing a licensed pest control provider to trap such wildlife in a manner prescribed by the director of animal control services. In no event shall any person use or employ poison or deceased material to kill or capture wildlife. Because of their lesser danger to citizens, all permits authorizing trapping shall require the use of "live animal" trap which are approved by animal control. All traps shall be checked daily and used only on private property with the property owner's permission. All traps will be placed in a manner to protect the animal from rain or snow. All skunks will be disposed of in a humane manner, and in accordance with state and local laws. Any animal trapped, other than a skunk, will be released at the location where trapped.

D.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, it is lawful to trap feral cats, as defined under Food and Agriculture Code Section 31752.2, on private property with the prior permission of the private property owner without a permit. Only "live animal" traps shall be used, and traps shall be placed in such a manner to protect the animal from rain or snow. If a skunk is inadvertently trapped, it will be referred to a licensed pest control provider for disposal. If any other animal, including a cat displaying a tag containing the name, address and telephone number of the owner, is inadvertently trapped, it shall be released at the location where trapped. All trapped feral cats shall be either disposed in a manner as prescribed by state and local laws, taken to a veterinarian to be neutered, or adopted as a pet. All trapping, transportation, disposal and neutering shall be at the sole expense of the person conducting the trapping. (Ord. 334 §2, 1999: Ord. 325 §1, 1999: Ord. 154 §1, 1986)