(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess, or maintain an animal in such a manner as to constitute a public nuisance or a nuisance to neighbors. By way of example and not of limitation, the following acts or actions of an owner, harborer, or possessor of an animal are hereby declared to be a public nuisance and are therefore unlawful if substantiated by Animal Control:
(1) Maintaining an animal that habitually or repeatedly chases, snaps at, attacks, or barks at pedestrians, joggers, or dogs walked on a leash by owners, bicycles, or vehicles;
(2) Permitting an animal to damage the property of anyone other than its owner including but not limited to, turning over garbage containers or damaging gardens, flowers, or vegetables;
(3) Maintaining property that is offensive, annoying, or dangerous to the public health, safety, or welfare of the community because of the number, type, variety, density, or location of the animals on the property;
(4) Maintaining an animal that is diseased or dangerous to the public health;
(5) Allowing unsanitary conditions in enclosures or surroundings where the dog or cat is kept or harbored; or
(6) Failing to confine to a secure enclosure or building a female dog while in estrus.
(B) It shall be the duty of anyone reporting an alleged nuisance under this section to reveal his or her identity to Animal Control or the investigating law enforcement agency. Anonymous reports of alleged nuisances under this section shall not be investigated solely on the basis of the anonymous report.
(C) Upon investigating an alleged nuisance, the complaining witness must be willing to testify in court to the alleged nuisance. The complainant must also sign a copy of the investigative report. If the complainant is unwilling to do so, the investigation may be dismissed and no further action taken.
(D) The determination of a nuisance under this section is solely at the discretion of the county.
(Ord. passed 9-9-2013) Penalty, see § 90.99