Filed 12/15/15 City of Victorville v. Superior Court CA4/2

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS

California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION TWO

CITY OF VICTORVILLE,

Petitioner, E064620

v. (Super.Ct.No. CIVDS 1503260)

THE SUPERIOR COURT OF OPINION

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY,

Respondent;

RUBEN VARELA,

Real Party in Interest.

ORIGINAL PROCEEDINGS; petition for writ of mandate. John M. Pachecho,

Judge. Petition granted.

Graves & King, Harvey W. Wimer III and Dennis J. Mahoney for Petitioner.

No appearance for Respondent.

No appearance for Real Party in Interest.

1 In this matter we have reviewed the petition and invited real party in interest to file

opposition; none has been received.

We have determined that resolution of the matter involves the application of

settled principles of law, and that issuance of a peremptory writ in the first instance is

therefore appropriate. (Palma v. U.S. Industrial Fasteners, Inc. (1984) 36 Cal.3d 171,

178.)

Plaintiff cannot recover damages based on petitioner’s alleged failure to capture

and remove the dogs that allegedly attacked him unless petitioner’s failure constituted the

breach of a mandatory duty. (Gov. Code, § 815.6.) Plaintiff identified no such duty.

The governing ordinances authorized petitioner’s employees to capture or remove vicious

or dangerous animals, but in language which clearly conferred discretion and did not

impose any duty. (See County of Los Angeles v. Superior Court (2012) 209 Cal.App.4th

543.)

Accordingly, the trial court erred in overruling petitioner’s demurrer and the

petition for writ of mandate is granted.

DISPOSITION

Let a peremptory writ of mandate issue, directing the Superior Court of San

Bernardino County to vacate its order overruling petitioner’s demurrer, and to enter a

new order sustaining the demurrer. In light of plaintiff’s failure to respond in this court,

the demurrer shall be sustained without leave to amend.

2 Petitioner is directed to prepare and have the peremptory writ of mandate issued,

copies served, and the original filed with the clerk of this court, together with proof of

service on all parties. Petitioner to recover its costs, if any.

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS

CODRINGTON

J. We concur:

KING

Acting P. J.

MILLER

J.

3