(A) If, at the time of the issuance of a civil citation for a dangerous animal, the owner agrees to confine the animal pursuant to this chapter and submits to the Animal Protection Officer or designee written proof of current rabies vaccinations, microchip and city license, and the Animal Protection Officer or designee does not believe the public is at risk, the animal may return to the custody of the owner.
(B) An animal declared dangerous shall be confined within a securely locked pen, kennel or structure which contains adequate shelter. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the side walls at least six feet in height and at least six feet taller than any internal adequate shelter and a secure bottom, floor or foundation secured to the side walls of the pen, kennel or structure.
(1) While outside the enclosure, the animal must be secured with a leash no longer than four feet in length and wearing a muzzle and under physical protection of a person 18 years of age or older. A muzzle shall be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the animal or interfere with its vision or respiration, but shall prevent it from biting a human or animal.
(2) No animal declared potentially dangerous or dangerous shall be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings or any other object or structure.
(3) An animal declared potentially dangerous or dangerous which is found, at any time, not to be confined as required by this section shall be seized and transported to the Clinton Humane Society or other city-designated animal welfare agency until such time adjudicated by the court or not contested as a dangerous animal by the owner.
(4) An owner of an animal alleged to be dangerous or found to be dangerous, as a condition of keeping the dangerous animal, shall provide the City Clerk, within 30 days of being declared dangerous, proof of insurance via a certificate of insurance with a minimum liability of $100,000 for the injury or death of any person or for damage to property of others and for acts of negligence by the owner or his or her agents. The certificate or proof of policy must be issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in the state, and shall require notice to the city. If a certificate is not immediately available, a binder indicating coverage may be accepted for up to 30 days subsequent to the determination that the animal is dangerous; however, if after 30 days a certificate of insurance or a policy has not been submitted, the animal shall be impounded. Said proof of insurance shall be provided annually at the time of license renewal as a condition of renewal.
(5) If, at the time of the issuance of a civil citation for dangerous animal, the animal has caused serious injury to a human or other domestic animal, the owner does not agree to confine the animal pursuant to this chapter, or the animal is not licensed per this chapter, the animal shall be seized and transported to the Clinton Humane Society or to another city-designated animal welfare agency until such time as the animal is adjudicated by the court as a dangerous animal or not contested as a dangerous animal by the owner. If at any time prior to court proceedings, the animal deemed dangerous is in violation of this chapter, the animal may be seized until such time adjudicated by the court or not contested as a dangerous animal by the owner.
(Ord. 2485, passed 11-27-2012; Ord. 2571, passed 4-10-2018; Ord. 2657, passed 10-13-2020) Penalty, see § 10.99