A. No person may own, harbor, or keep within the city any dangerous animal, except according to the provisions of this section.
B. The owner or caretaker of a potentially dangerous animal shall keep such animal in a proper enclosure. If a potentially dangerous animal is not in a proper enclosure, it shall be directly accompanied by its owner or caretaker and confined or restrained in such a manner that, after investigation by law enforcement, animal control officer or designee, it is not a dangerous animal.
C. Law enforcement, animal control officer or designee may take possession of and impound any animal suspected of being dangerous, and may hold such animal for a necessary period of time to determine the extent of the danger such animal poses. Law enforcement, animal control officer or designee may dispose of any animal so determined to be dangerous.
D. Law enforcement, animal control officer or designee may use all necessary means to control a dangerous animal so as not to immediately jeopardize the health or safety of themselves or others. Law enforcement, animal control officer or designee may enter, search and investigate premises, take testimony from the owner and witness and seize, impound or euthanize a dangerous animal.
E. At the discretion of law enforcement, animal control officer or designee, a person may continue to own, harbor, or keep a dangerous animal only if law enforcement, animal control officer or designee provides the owner with written containment procedures and the animal is kept accordingly. If law enforcement, animal control officer or designee determines that a violation of the containment notice has occurred, the animal shall be seized and impounded immediately to be disposed of as set forth. The owner of the dangerous animal is subject to any civil or criminal penalties referenced in this chapter. (Ord. 749, 2014)