A. Limits: No more than four (4) animals (any combination of dogs, cats and potbellied pigs) may be kept at one residence.
B. Kennel - Residential: Owners with five (5) but not more than seven (7) cats or dogs or potbellied pigs or any combination thereof shall be considered as a private residential kennel. Such owner may qualify by paying an annual registration fee at the shelter and permit access to property for periodic inspections by shelter or animal control to ensure that such owner complies with the provisions of this chapter.
1. Permits may be revoked for serious or repeated violations of the requirements of this chapter.
2. There is no provision for more than seven (7) animals to be kept at any private residence. Veterinary clinics, pet shops, and city licensed businesses who deal in animals are excluded.
C. Mating Season: Keepers of female dogs or cats in heat must confine the animal(s) within a building or enclosure in such a way as to prevent attack by male dogs or cats and so as not to constitute a nuisance by attracting male animals.
D. Restraint Of Animals: A person owning or having charge, custody, care, or control over a dog or cat shall keep the animal upon his own premises by either a secure dog run or kennel, an enclosure surrounding the perimeter of his property, or (for a dog only) on a chain not less than twelve feet (12') in length anchored with a swivel device and a second swivel device attaching the chain to the animal's nonabrasive collar or harness. Area must be clear of obstacles which many entangle animal and chain. No chain or tether shall weigh more than one- eighth (1/8) of the dog or puppy weight.
E. Off Premises: When off the premises, dogs must be restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet (6') in length. An exception is when the owner or keeper physically carries or holds said animal in his hands. Nothing in this section shall be construed as allowing any animal under physical restraint to commit any act defined as unlawful in this chapter.
F. Pet Shops: City licensed pet shops and animal related businesses may carry animals and birds providing the stock does not include species not allowed in the City (i.e., wild animals, reptiles, roosters, ratites, and crossbreeds with wild animals). Pet shops and animal related businesses shall be subject to ordinance compliance inspections.
G. Animal Disposal: Within twenty four (24) hours of death of an animal, the owner shall dispose of the carcass by burial at least three feet (3') underground in a suitable location, or by other means approved by the animal control unit. There will be a fee if animal control is called to pick up the dead animal for disposal. (See current animal shelter fee schedule.) (Ord. 1067, 9-9-2002)