A. Definition: "Owner" or "keeper" as used herein shall mean any person having a right of property in a dog or cat or who keeps or harbors a dog or cat or who has a dog or cat in his or her care or acts as a custodian of a dog or cat or who knowingly permits a dog or cat to remain on or about any premises occupied by him or her.
B. Animals At Large:
1. Prohibited: No dog or cat shall be permitted or allowed to run at large within the city and shall be confined at all times on the owner's or keeper's premises, or on a leash or on the owner's or keeper's premises under the control of a person physically able to control such dog or cat.
2. Declared Nuisance: If found running at large, the dog or cat is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be taken up and impounded by the animal control officer or member of the police department in accordance with the provisions of this article.
3. Subject To Impoundment: Every dog or cat running at large within the city is subject to impoundment by the animal control officer.
4. Prima Facie Evidence: When any dog or cat shall be found running at large in violation of the provisions herein, it shall be prima facie evidence that the owner or keeper of said dog or cat allowed and permitted the animal to run at large.
C. Penalty: Any person owning or keeping and permitting any dog or cat to run at large and not keeping such animal confined at all times, except as otherwise provided herein, on the owner's or keeper's premises shall be subject to penalty as provided in section 1-4-1 of this code. (1997 Code)