(a) No owner, keeper or person in charge of a dog or cat shall permit such animal to run at large or shall fail to control such animal anywhere within the City. Testimony that an animal was not on the property of its owner, keeper or person in charge, or was not held securely in leash by a person accompanying such animal when found shall be prima-facie evidence that the animal was not under control. For purposes of subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) hereof, strict criminal liability is contemplated herein.
(b) Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree and each subsequent violation of subsection (a) hereof within a period of three (3) years of the first violation shall be a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(c) Notwithstanding the above, a violation of subsection (a) hereof shall be a misdemeanor of the second degree when such animal is found to have attacked or bitten a person either while at large, or when leashed and not on the property of its owner, keeper or person in charge, and a misdemeanor of the third degree when such animal is found to have attacked or bitten another domestic animal while at large, or while leashed but not under control as described herein.
(d) Each subsequent violation of subsection (c) hereof within a period of three (3) years shall be a misdemeanor of the first degree in the event a human being is attacked or bitten and a misdemeanor of the second degree in the event a domestic animal is attacked or bitten.
(Ord. 94-2019. Passed 11-4-19.)