sfgov | residents | business | government | visitors | online services

ARTICLE 7: ANIMALS AND BIRDS

Sec. 485. Trapping or Killing of Birds Prohibited; Exception.

Sec. 485.1. Sterilization of Birds Prohibited; Exceptions.

Sec. 486. Feeding Birds and Wild Animals Prohibited.

Sec. 487. Reduction of Roosting and Breeding Areas.

Sec. 488. Use of Steel-Jawed Traps Prohibited.

Sec. 490. Regulating Riding of Horses in Public Places.

SEC. 485. TRAPPING OR KILLING OF BIRDS PROHIBITED; EXCEPTION.

It shall be unlawful for any person to trap, capture, kill or otherwise destroy any wild bird within the City and County of San Francisco, except that pigeons and other wild birds which become a nuisance or a hazard to public health may be trapped or captured, in a humane manner, by, or with the permission of, the Director of Public Health.

It shall be the duty of the person who traps or captures pigeons or birds pursuant to the foregoing exception, to transport them in a humane manner and release them in some remote area.

(Amended by Ord. 235-72, App. 8/21/72)

SEC. 485.1. STERILIZATION OF BIRDS PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS.

It shall be unlawful for any person to sterilize or cause the sterilization of any wild bird within the City and County of San Francisco; provided, however, that pigeons or other wild birds which become a nuisance or a potential hazard to public health may be sterilized by the use of nontoxic sterilizants by or under the supervision of the Director of Public Health.

(Added by Ord. 235-72, App. 8/21/72)

SEC. 486. FEEDING BIRDS AND WILD ANIMALS PROHIBITED.

It shall be unlawful for any person to feed or offer food to any bird or wild animal in or on any sidewalk, street or highway of the City and County of San Francisco. It shall be unlawful to feed or offer food to any Red Masked Parakeet in any park of the City and County of San Francisco.

(Added by Ord. 268-64, App. 10/2/64; Ord. 133-07, File No. 070467, App. 6/15/2007)

SEC. 487. REDUCTION OF ROOSTING AND BREEDING AREAS.

The Director of Public Works is hereby authorized and directed to develop a humane plan to reduce the roosting and breeding areas for pigeons in or on all public buildings of the City and County and to work and cooperate in every reasonable way with other public agencies and private citizens toward the development of effective methods of reducing roosting and breeding areas for pigeons in or on other public and private buildings particularly in those areas where there is a high population density.

(Added by Ord. 268-64, App. 10/2/64)

SEC. 488. USE OF STEEL-JAWED TRAPS PROHIBITED.

It shall be unlawful for any person to set, trigger, activate or otherwise use, or cause to be set, triggered, activated or used any steel-jawed animal leg-hold trap, except as provided in California Health and Safety Code Section 1803.

(Added by Ord. 301-77, App. 7/8/77)

SEC. 490. REGULATING RIDING OF HORSES IN PUBLIC PLACES.

(a) Use and Place Designated. No person shall ride, drive or lead a horse unattached to a vehicle, for any purpose other than in the pursuit of a business or occupation, parade, show or similar exhibition for which a permit has been obtained under the provisions of this Code, in any public place in the City and County of San Francisco, except as hereinafter set forth in this Section:

(1) Upon unoccupied portions of the public beaches;

(2) Upon bridle trails and other equestrian paths designated for such purpose under the provisions of the Charter and Municipal Code of said City and County;

(3) Upon public roads, streets or highways when necessarily used for the sole purpose of entering or leaving such bridle trails, equestrian paths, or public beaches;

(4) Upon public roads, streets or highways when necessarily used in proceeding directly to or from a parade, show or similar exhibition, as hereinabove set forth, when engaged as a participant therein.

(b) Manner of Use. No person shall ride, drive or lead a horse as provided in Subdivision (a) of this Section:

(1) At a pace faster than a slow canter when passing any horse proceeding in the same direction, or at a pace faster than a walk when passing any horse standing or proceeding in the opposite direction;

(2) At a pace faster than a walk upon any pavement or crossing;

(3) At a pace faster than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the ground being traversed, and in no event at a rate of speed which endangers the safety of persons, animals or property at any other time or place permitted in this Section;

(4) While intoxicated.

(c) Two or More Riders. Two or more persons shall not ride any such horse simultaneously.

(d) Necessary Control. Any police or deputy animal control officer may demand custody of any such horse in the event the person having charge thereof fails or refuses to exercise control necessary for the safety of such horse, rider or any other person, animal or property. Such horse so taken into custody may be returned to its stable or impounded as if running at large. Refusal of any such person to exercise such control shall constitute a violation of this Section.

(e) Enforcement. The Chief of Police and deputy animal control officers duly appointed by The San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control shall enforce the provisions of this Section.

(f) Penalty. Each and every act which is a violation of any of the provisions of this Section shall be deemed a misdemeanor.

(Added by Ord. 4157, Series of 1939, App. 11/20/46; amended by Ord. 254-92, App. 8/7/92)