(a) Definitions. As used herein:
(1) "Vicious" dog, as the term is used in this section means:
A. Any dog with a propensity, tendency or disposition, to attack, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or other domestic animals; or
B. Any dog which attacks a human being or another domestic animal one or more times without provocation.
(2) "Pit Bull Terrier", as used herein, means any American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog, or any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the breed of American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier and is identifiable as such under the breed standards accepted by either the American Kennel Club (AKC), the American Dog Breeder’s Association (ADBA), the National Kennel Club (NKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC).
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall own, keep or harbor a vicious dog or a Pit Bull Terrier within the corporate limits of the City.
(c) A Pit Bull Terrier as defined herein may be owned, kept or harbored within the corporate limits of the City of Ashtabula if the animal meets all of the following qualifications:
(1) It was adopted or obtained from the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League (APL), and has been determined by that organization to be neither people-aggressive or animal-aggressive;
(2) It has had an APL microchip implanted, and it displays an APL tag on its collar;
(3) It is current with respect to rabies vaccinations and has been spayed or neutered, and the owner or keeper has documentation to establish same; and
(4) It has a current dog tag or license issued by the Ashtabula County Auditor.
(d) Whoever violates any provision of this section is guilty of misdemeanor of the third degree on a first offense and a misdemeanor of the first degree on any subsequent offense. In addition, any person found guilty of violating any provision of this section shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, veterinary expenses for identification or certification of the breed of the animal or boarding and veterinary expenses necessitated by the seizure of any dog for the protection of the public, and such other expenses as may be required for the elimination of any such dog. Each day that such violation continues shall be considered a separate violation.
(e) Immediately following a conviction of any violation of this Section, the Court shall hold a hearing to determine whether or not the animal involved should, in the interests of public safety, be euthanized. There shall be a presumption in favor of euthanizing the animal if there is substantial credible evidence that the animal has been involved in a prior attack or attacks on a person or another domestic animal.
(Ord. 2012-127. Passed 8-20-12.)