Chapter 2 · Animal Control and Regulation

Article 4. Keeping Certain Animals Prohibited

Sections 2-401 to 2-407 · 7 sections

2-401 Keeping of wild animals.

No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his or her premises any wild or dangerous animal for display or exhibition purposes whether gratuitously or for fee. This Section shall not be construed to apply to zoological parks, performing animal exhibitions or circuses, or the sale of exotic birds or animals held at any location approved by the governing body. No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild animal as a pet, including any such as may be purchased at such exotic bird or animal sale. The City Clerk or Control Officer may issue a temporary permit without fee for the keeping, caring and protection of an infant animal native to this area which is deemed to be homeless and shall have the power to release or order the release of any infant wild animal, in a proper place outside the City limits, kept under temporary permit, which is deemed capable of survival.

(Ord. 675)

2-402 Dangerous animals.

It shall be unlawful for any person within the City to keep, own or harbor any dangerous animal as determined by the control officer, using established departmental guidelines, unless such person shall conform to regulations for keeping such animals in Section 2-406 of this Article.

(Ord. 675)

2-403 Vicious animals

Any animal declared vicious by the animal control officer using established departmental guidelines must, in addition to the requirements in Section 2-402, be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such animal from biting persons or other animals without interfering with its vision or respiration, when on a leash outside an approved enclosure.

(Ord. 675)

2-404 Pit bull prohibitions.

It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor, own or in any way possess within the corporate limits of the City any pit bull dog as defined by administrative regulation; provided that pit bull dogs property registered with the City by July, 1990, and kept within the City continuously since that time, may remain within the City subject to the requirements set forth in Section 2-406 of this Article.

(Ord. 675)

2-405 Keeping livestock

It shall be unlawful to possess or maintain any livestock within any residential zone in the City. Livestock may be allowed in non-residential zones by special permit issued by the control officer. Persons applying for or holding such special permit shall comply with all livestock policies and regulations promulgated by the City and approved by the governing body.

(Ord. 675)

2-406 Keeping of dangerous animals.

The keeping of such animals as described in Sections 2-402 and 2-404, shall be subject to the following standards:

(a)Leash and Control. No person shall permit a dangerous animal to go outside its kennel or pen unless such animal is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four feet in length. No person shall permit a dangerous animal to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a responsible adult is in physical control of the leash. Such animals may not be leashed or chained to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings, etc.

(b)Confinement. All dangerous animals shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed as above provided. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. All structures used to confine dangerous animals must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure. Such structure must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen or the sides of the pen must be embedded in the ground no less than 18 inches. All structures erected to house dangerous animals must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City.

(c)Confinement Indoors. No dangerous animal may be kept in any part of a house or structure in a manner that would allow the animal to exit such building on its own volition. In addition, no such animal may be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the animal from exiting the structure.

(d)Signs. All owners, keepers or harborers of dangerous animals within the City shall display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words “Beware of Dog” or similar language. In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on eh kennel or pen of such animal.

(e)Reporting Requirements. All owners, keepers or harborers of dangerous animals must within 10 days of the incident, report the following information in writing to the City Clerk or control officer as required hereinafter:

(1)The new address of a dangerous animal should the owner move within the corporate City limits;

(2)The removal from the City or death of a registered pit bull dog; and

(3)The birth of offspring of a registered pit bull dog.

(f)Sale or Transfer of Ownership Prohibited. No person shall sell, barter or in any other way dispose of a dangerous animal to any person within the City unless the recipient person resides permanently in the same household and on the same premises as the registered owner of such animal; providing that the registered owner of a dangerous animal may sell or otherwise dispose of said animal, or the offspring of a registered pit bull dog, to persons who do not reside within the City.

(g)Animals born of Registered Pit Bull Dogs. All offspring born of pit bull dogs registered with the City must be removed from the City within six weeks of the birth of such animal.

(h)Failure to Comply. It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper or harbor of a dangerous animal to fail to comply with the requirements and conditions set forth in this Article. Any animal found to be the subject of a violation of this Article shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment. In addition, failure to comply may result in the revocation of the license of such animal resulting in the immediate removal of the animal from the City.

(Ord. 675)

2-407 Penalty

Any person violating or permitting the violation of Sections 2-402, 2-403, 2-404 and 2-405 shall, upon conviction in municipal court be fined a sum not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00. Any violation of 2-401 and 2-406 shall be subject to a fine of not less than $30.00 nor more than $250.00. In addition, the court may order the permit, license or registration of the subject animal revoked and/or the animal removed from the City. Should the defendant refuse to remove the animal from the City, the municipal judge shall find the owner in contempt and order the immediate confiscation and impoundment of the animal. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. In addition to the foregoing penalties, any person who violates this Article shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, handling, veterinary care and testimony necessitated by the enforcement.

(Ord. 675)