(A) It shall be unlawful for a person, owner, or keeper to permit or cause an animal to create or maintain a nuisance.
(B) (1) Nuisance defined.
(a) Any act of an animal or its owner that disturbs the rights and privileges common to the public; or that diminishes enjoyment of private property; or that damages real or personal property; or that threatens the safety of a member of the general public; or that diminishes the general health and welfare of the public.
(b) Actions defined as a nuisance include, but are not limited to:
1. Allowing an animal to be at large;
2. Allowing an animal to cause damage or to soil the real or personal property of another;
3. Allowing an animal to habitually or repeatedly disturb, interfere with or annoy human beings;
4. Allowing an animal to chase, snap at, or otherwise molest persons or other animals;
5. Allowing an animal to loiter on public or private places; or
6. Keeping or harboring an animal that is diseased or unsafe to the health of the public without seeking the care of a licensed veterinarian.
(2) Also, see R.C. § 955.11 for definition of a dangerous dog and rules for transferring ownership of such.
(C) If the Zoning Officer or a law enforcement officer observes a violation of this section or the Zoning Officer receives a written, signed complaint from any other person alleging that any person, owner, or keeper is creating or maintaining a nuisance by keeping an animal, the Zoning Officer shall cause the owner or keeper of the animal in question to be notified that a complaint has been received; shall investigate the situation; and shall prepare a written report.
(D) The written report of the Zoning Officer shall include a decision by the Zoning Officer of whether a violation of this section has occurred.
(E) If the Zoning Officer determines that a violation of this section has occurred they shall issue a written order to abate the nuisance to the person who is keeping the animal. The person who is issued the order to abate shall have a period of ten days to abate the stated nuisance.
(F) If, after ten days as is designated in an abatement order, the nuisance is not abated, the owner or keeper may be issued a civil penalty or other appropriate legal remedy, which may include an order: to register for a permit; to remove the animal or animals from their property; to pay a fine; to restore, repair or pay for damage caused by the animal; or to take specific measures to mitigate the nuisance condition. Such order shall include a period within which such action must be completed, not to exceed 30 days.
(Ord. 12-2020, passed - -)