(A) (1) No person shall keep or maintain any dog that has been declared a vicious and/or dangerous dog unless such dog is kept in an enclosure or on a run line located within a fenced area. The fencing material shall not have openings of more than two inches. Wooden fences shall not have openings of more than two inches. Any gates shall be securable and of such design as to prevent the entry of small children or the escape of the animal and shall be kept secured. Kennels shall have double walls to prevent the insertion of fingers, hands or other objects. The enclosure must not be located nearer than ten feet to adjoining property lines or public rights-of-way. The floor of the enclosure must consist of concrete or a similar material that will prevent the animal from digging its way out of the enclosure.
(2) The run-line shall consist of a chain or cable having a tensile strength of at least 300 pounds which does not allow the dog to get closer than ten feet from adjoining property lines or public right-of-way. In addition, if the dog is kept on a run-line within a fenced area, the dog shall be muzzled at all times. If the dog is confined indoors, it shall not be confined on a porch, patio or in a structure with open windows, screen windows or screen doors.
(B) If a vicious dog is not within an enclosure or on a run-line within a fenced area, the dog shall be either within the owner’s residence or muzzled and restrained with a chain or cable leash having a minimum tensile strength of at least 300 pounds that is no more than four feet in length. If the dog is on a leash, the leash must be controlled by an adult who can control the dog.
(C) No person shall keep, use or maintain any dangerous or vicious dog on any premises unless the premises is posted to warn of the presence of dangerous or vicious dogs. Said warning shall consist of a sign placed at each entrance/exit for the premises in a position to be legible from the sidewalk or ground level adjacent to the sign. If the premises are not enclosed by a fence and the dog is kept within an enclosure, a sign shall be posted on every side of the enclosure in a position to be legible from the sidewalk or ground level.
(D) No person shall sell, exchange, transfer or give a vicious dog to another person.
(E) Owners and custodians of vicious dogs shall post their property with conspicuous signs warning of the presence of a vicious dog.
(F) A vicious dog must be neutered or spayed.
(G) A vicious dog that inflicts bodily injury on a person or other animal by biting after it has been declared vicious, or a vicious dog not kept or maintained in compliance with this section, constitutes a public hazard and may be seized and destroyed.
(H) This section shall not apply to police canines and guard dogs. Guard dogs must be registered with the humane society and licensed and are restricted to property zoned non-residential. The annual fee for registration of a guard dog shall be $10. The registration form shall include the dog’s location by address; the dog’s gender and general description; the dog’s current city license number; the dog’s current rabies vaccination number; and the name of an emergency contact person who is available 24 hours a day. Guard dogs shall be confined to a fenced in area that is adequate to prevent the dog from escaping the fenced area. The fenced area shall be clearly posted with warning signs.
(I) Any dog declared vicious must have an identification microchip inserted by a veterinarian and to have at least two color photographs taken of said dog to be placed on file with the animal control office. This shall be done within ten days of the dog being declared vicious and at the expense of the dog’s owner or custodian.
(J) A violation of any of the provisions of this section may be charged as a simple misdemeanor offense. Additionally, any animal control or police officer shall have the right to seize and impound the dog if any of the conditions and specifications established by this section for the keeping of vicious dogs are not being met.