Laguna Niguel Municipal Code has no ordinance named 'animal hoarding,' but several rules apply: the four-or-more dog/cat license trigger (Section 10-1-76), the detailed animal care requirements (Section 10-1-38), and public-nuisance rules (Section 10-1-48). California Penal Code Section 597 also criminalizes the neglect hoarding involves.
Laguna Niguel has no standalone hoarding ordinance, but hoarding is reachable through the city code and state law. The four-or-more animal rule in Section 10-1-76 caps ordinary keeping: four or more dogs or cats over four months requires an additional animal license under Section 10-2-309. Section 10-1-38 (Animal care requirements) imposes extensive duties, requiring wholesome food and water, sanitary conditions, adequate housing, veterinary care when ordered, and a bar on injurious conditions, directly reaching the neglect typical of hoarding. Section 10-1-48 declares animals causing a public nuisance unlawful. Mission Viejo Animal Services (Section 10-1-2) can inspect (Section 10-1-35), investigate complaints (Section 10-1-36), and impound animals (Article 7). California Penal Code Sections 597 and 597.1 also criminalize cruelty.
Hoarding conduct is enforced through the additional-animal license trigger (Section 10-1-76), the animal care requirements (Section 10-1-38), public-nuisance rules (Section 10-1-48), and impoundment (Article 7). Serious neglect is prosecutable under California Penal Code Sections 597 and 597.1.
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