Domestic Animals — Methods of Disposal — Auction
San Diego Municipal Code § 44.0321
in effect§44.0321 Domestic Animals — Methods of Disposal — Auction
Whenever the Poundmaster shall discover, or be notified by any persons that any such animal is grazing or pasturing or running at large or is picketed or staked out so as to permit it to cross or trespass upon the lands of adjoining owners, or upon any traveled street or sidewalk, or is improperly cared for in violation of this article, it shall be his duty and he is hereby directed to immediately take said animal and impound it in the City Pound. Within twenty–four (24) hours thereafter, unless said animal be claimed, he shall, in his discretion, dispose of the animal in accordance with Section 44.0313(d), or he shall notify, by registered mail, the owner or reputed owner, if the name and address of such owner or reputed owner be known to him, and shall cause a notice to be posted in each of three (3) conspicuous public places in The City of San Diego, and shall likewise publish for three (3) consecutive days in the official newspaper of the City, a notice describing such animal so impounded, giving marks or brands, or other distinguishing points thereof, and fixing an hour, date, and place for public auction thereof, which date shall be not less than five (5) nor more than ten (10) days after the first publication of such notice.
Unless the owner thereof comes and claims the same prior to sale thereof and proves ownership of said animal and pays all lawful charges thereon, as hereinafter provided, said Poundmaster is hereby authorized and it is his duty to expose said animals for sale at public auction at the time and place fixed in said notice to the highest bidder for cash. All proceeds of such sale, together with all fines, charges, fees and other expense chargeable against said animal, according to the schedule of charges hereinafter specified, shall be delivered to the Treasurer of The City of San Diego, together with a full description of the animal sold as aforesaid, and said Poundmaster shall deliver to the purchaser of any animal sold as aforesaid, a bill of sale therefor, which shall vest title to said animal in the purchaser.
In the event the animal is not claimed by the owner, and there are no bidders at the aforesaid sale, the owner’s interest in said animal shall be foreclosed; and the Poundmaster may dispose of said animal by any method provided for by Section 44.0313.
(Renumbered from Sec. 44.31.3 on 2–10–1953 by O–5486 N.S.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter04/Ch04Art04Division03.pdf#page=11Fetched: 10/28/2026