It is unlawful for any person to maintain a public nuisance by permitting any dangerous dog or other animal to leave the premises of its owner when not under control by leash or other recognized control methods.
Guide dogs for the blind or hearing impaired, support dogs for the physically handicapped, and sentry, guard, or police owned dogs are exempt from this section; provided, an attack or injury to a person occurs while the dog is performing duties as expected. To qualify for exemption under this section, each such dog shall be currently inoculated against rabies in accordance with state law. It shall be the duty of the owner of such exempted dog to notify the chief of police of changes of address. In the case of a sentry or guard dog, the owner shall keep the chief of police advised of the location where such dog will be stationed. The chief of police shall provide police and fire departments with a categorized list of such exempted dogs, and shall promptly notify such departments of any address changes reported to him.
The city, or any citizen of the city in which a dangerous dog or other animal exists may file a complaint in the name of the city to enjoin all persons from maintaining or permitting such, to abate the same, and to enjoin the owner of such dog or other animal from permitting same to leave his premises when not under control by leash or other recognized control methods. Upon the filing of a complaint in the circuit court, if satisfied that this nuisance may exist, shall grant a preliminary injunction with bond in such amount as the court may determine enjoining the defendant from maintaining such nuisance. If the existence of the nuisance is established, the owner of such dog or other animal shall be in violation of this section, and in addition, the court shall enter an order restraining the owner from maintaining such nuisance and may order that such dog or other animal be humanely dispatched. (Ord. 1164, 9-17-1987)