(A)
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly harbor or keep any nuisance animal. A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any animal on his premises in such a manner as to endanger the public health, to annoy neighbors by the accumulation of animal wastes which cause foul and offensive odors or are considered to be a hazard to any other animal or human being, or by continued presence on the premises of another.
(C) Animals defecating in public places.
(1) It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in control of any animal to permit, cause to permit, suffer or allow such animal to defecate upon the sidewalk, parkway, or upon the floor of any common hall in any entranceway, stairway or wall immediately abutting on a public office building or any area open to or used in common by the public.
(2) Responsibility of owner. The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the immediate removal of any excrement deposited by their animal on public walks, roadways and other rights-of-way, recreation areas or private property. Further every animal owner must have on their person the tools for removal of excreta if their animal is observed defecating while being walked or exercised.
(D) Maximum number of dogs and cats.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any residence to keep or harbor more than either four adult dogs, four adult cats, or four adult dogs and cats in any combination. A residence shall be permitted to keep only one litter of dogs or cats per residence until the litter is of sufficient weaning age (depending on species).
(2) Multi-pet permit. Any person desiring to keep more than four adult dogs and/or cats or more than one litter of puppies or kittens at their residence may apply with the Animal Services Division for a multi-pet permit. The applicant shall pay an application fee at the time of filing.
(3) The Animal Service Division is authorized to issue such a permit if the following conditions are met:
(a) An applicant provides the Animal Services Division with information concerning the maximum number of animals to be kept at any one time at such premises and a record search indicates that no enforcement action for violations of this chapter has been necessary within the preceding 12 months; and
(b) The Animal Services Division inspects the property; inspection to include interviews with occupants of all immediately adjacent properties, and at the sole discretion of the city as represented by the animal services division deems it appropriate for housing multiple pets based on criteria including, but not limited to:
1. Facilities shall be of sufficient size as to allow each animal to move about freely. Size of the facility shall be in proportion to the size of the individual animal’s height and weight.
2. Adequate food and water must be provided so that each and all animals kept shall be maintained in good health and free of malnutrition and/or dehydration.
3. The said premises shall be kept in a sanitary state and reasonably free of conditions that may be a hazard to the animal’s health and/or to the health of the general public.
4. The animals and the facility must be kept free of odor which is offensive to a person of ordinary sensibilities.
5. The animals must be maintained in a manner which does not pose a danger to the health of the animals themselves or adjacent animals.
6. The animals must not cause noise which is offensive or disturbing to a person of ordinary sensibilities on adjoining or adjacent premises.
7. All animal must be vaccinated and must wear current tags at all times in accordance with this chapter.
(4) Such permit contemplated by this section may be revoked at any time by the Animal Services Division if the conditions listed in division (D)(3) are not met and/or a citation has been issued to the permit holder for any violation of this chapter.
(E) Animal at large. It is hereby declared to be a public nuisance that an owner of an animal or other person permits an animal to run at large.
('68 Code, § 5-11) (Ord. 3-1989-10, passed 3-21-89; Am. Ord. 09-2016-47, passed 9-27-16; Am. Ord. 07-2021-32, passed 7-13-21)
Penalty, see § 91.999