(A) Manner of keeping dogs and animals. No person shall keep or maintain any dog or other animal in the city in such a manner so as to become a public nuisance or to disturb the peace, comfort, or health of any person residing within the city. The keeping of all animals within the city shall be subject to all pertinent regulations of the state and Logan County Health Department.
(B) Vicious dogs to be properly confined or leashed. The owner of a vicious dog shall:
(1) When a vicious dog is indoors, secure all means of egress so that the dog may not exit.
(2) Leash and muzzle. No person shall permit a vicious dog to go outside of its kennel, pen, or the owner’s property unless such animal is securely restrained with a leash or lead no longer than three feet in length and the leash or lead is physically controlled by a person 18 years of age or older who is in physical control of the leash. Such animals may not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings, and the like. In addition, all such animals on a leash or lead outside of the animal’s kennel, pen, or the owner’s residence must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent the animal from biting persons or other animals.
(3) Chains and tethers. It is prohibited to exclusively restrain a dog or puppy by a fixed-point chain or tether without adequate food and water.
(4) Confinement. All vicious dogs shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed and muzzled, as provided in division (B) above. Such pen, kennel, or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to its sides. A fenced-in yard by itself is insufficient to meet this standard. All structures used to confine such 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 to a depth of no less than two feet. All structures erected to house such animals must comply with all zoning and building regulations, and all such structures must be adequately lighted, ventilated, and be of appropriate size to allow the animal confined therein to move around, and must be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. The house or shelter for said animal shall be totally enclosed within the confinement structure. When being transported, the animal must be muzzled or caged.
(a) Signs. All owners of vicious dogs shall display on the kennel or pen and also in a prominent place on the premises a sign easily read by the public from adjoining public roads or streets using a sign stating the presence of a vicious dog by both symbol and words.
(b) Inspection. All owners of vicious dogs shall allow animal control officers and enforcement agents the freedom to inspect the area as necessary to assure that the health and safety needs of the animals and the public are being met.
(Ord. 2006-06, passed 10-9-06)