(A) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
DOG. All dogs, male, female and unsexed, and with no exception for size or breed.
OWNER. When applied to the proprietorship of a dog, means every person who keeps or harbors such dog or has it in his care, and every person who permits such dog to remain on or about any premises occupied by him.
RUNNING AT LARGE. Any dog appearing within the city that is not within an enclosure sufficient to restrain him at all times and/or any dog not accompanied by his owner or custodian under leash.
(C) Common law liability. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed as limiting the common law liability of the owner of a dog for damages committed by it.
(D) Confinement required. Except when the dog is under the reasonable control of its owner or custodian by a leash, every dog shall at all times be confined upon the premises of its owner or custodian or within the passenger compartment of a vehicle while being transported by its owner or custodian.
(E) Acts prohibited. The following acts are prohibited:
(1) Running at large. No person who is the owner or custodian of a dog shall permit the dog to run at large in the city, nor shall the dog be permitted upon any public street, alley, sidewalk, parking lot or other public place within the city unless leashed in compliance with division (F) of this section and accompanied by the owner or person having custody thereof; and
(2) Public parks and public places. No person shall take or permit a dog to remain in any public park in the city, except pursuant to rules adopted by the City Council, unless the dog is leashed in compliance with division (F) of this section. No person shall take or permit a dog to remain in any area of any city park or other public property in which playground equipment is installed or where signs are posted indicating that dogs are prohibited.
(F) Dogs on leashes. It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, keeps, or harbors a dog, to walk the dog on any public street, alley, sidewalk, parking lot or other public place unless the dog is restrained by a leash of adequate strength and of limited length.
(1) Leashes of a non-reel-in type shall not be longer than six feet.
(2) Leashes of a reel-in type may be extended temporarily longer than six feet, provided the leash is reeled in to six feet or less whenever other persons or other persons with leashed dogs are approached.
(3) This section shall not apply to dogs which have been specially trained for and are used as guide dogs for the blind while such dogs are being used for such purpose.
(G) Exemptions for specially trained dogs. This section shall not apply to dogs trained to assist persons with disabilities when being used by such persons for the purpose for which the dog was trained or to a trained police dog working under direction of a sworn police officer in the performance of duties for which the dog was trained.
(Ord. passed 7-10-2006(2); Ord. 2010-01, passed 1-11-2010)