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For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
IMPOUNDMENT. The taking or picking up and confining of an animal by any police officer, animal control officer or any other public officer under the provisions of this subchapter.
MUZZLE. A device constructed of strong, soft material or of metal, designed to fasten over the mouth of an animal to prevent the animal from biting any person or other animal.
OWNER. Any person, partnership, corporation or other legal entity owning, harboring or possessing any pit bull, or in the case of a person under the age of 18, that person’s parent or legal guardian. A pit bull shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for three or more consecutive days. This definition shall not apply to any veterinary clinic or boarding kennel.
PIT BULL. Any of the following dogs:
(1) The bull terrier breed of dog;
(2) The Staffordshire bull terrier breed of dog;
(3) The American pit bull terrier breed of dog;
(4) The American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog;
(5) Dogs of mixed breed or of other breeds than above listed which breed or mixed breed is known as pit bull, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers; and
(6) Any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of dogs known as bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, and any other breed commonly known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers; or a combination of any of these breeds.
PREDOMINANTLY. Knowledge through identification procedures or otherwise, or admission by owner, keeper or harborer, that the dog is more than 50% pit bull. PREDOMINANTLY also means that the dog exhibits the physical characteristics of a pit bull more than that of any other breed of dog.
SANITARY CONDITION. A condition of good order and cleanliness to minimize the possibility of disease transmission.
UNDER RESTRAINT. The dog is secured by a leash, led under the control of a person physically capable of restraining the dog and obedient to that person’s commands, or securely enclosed within the real property limits of the owner’s premises.
(Ord. 732, passed 10-22-2012)
It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor, own or in any way possess a pit bull dog within the corporate limits of the city; provided, however, that, persons owning such dogs at the time this chapter is adopted shall be allowed to keep them; provided that, they comply with all of the provisions of this subchapter, including § 90.47 of this chapter, within 30 days of the effective date of this subchapter.
(Ord. 732, passed 10-22-2012) Penalty, see § 90.99
The following standards and requirements apply to pit bull dogs located within the corporate limits.
(A) Registration. Each owner, keeper, harborer or possessor of a pit bull dog shall register such dog with the city.
(B) Leash. No person having charge, custody, control or possession of a pit bull shall permit the dog to go outside its kennel, pen or other proper enclosure unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four feet in length. No person shall permit a pit bull dog to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person of suitable age and discretion is in physical control of the leash. Such dogs may not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings or structures.
(C) Muzzle. It is unlawful for any owner or keeper of a pit bull to allow the dog to be outside its kennel, pen or other proper enclosure unless it is necessary for the dog to receive veterinary care. In such cases, the dog must wear a properly fitted muzzle sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals. Such muzzle shall not interfere with the dog’s breathing or vision.
(D) Confinement. Except when leashed and muzzled as provided in this section, all pit bull dogs shall be securely confined indoors or confined in a locked pen, kennel or other secure enclosure that is suitable to prevent the entry of children and is designed to prevent the dog from escaping. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. All structures used to confine pit bull dogs must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure and the structure must have a secure floor attached to the sides of the pen or the sides of the pen must be embedded in the ground no less than two feet. All structures erected to house pit bull dogs must comply with zoning and building ordinances and regulations of the city. The enclosure shall include shelter and protection from the elements and shall provide adequate exercise room, be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(E) Confinement indoors. No pit bull dog may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such building on its own volition. In addition, no such dog may be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacles preventing the dog from exiting the structure.
(F) Signs. All owners, keepers, harborers or possessors of pit bull dogs shall display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words “Beware of Dog”. In addition, a similar sign must be posted on the kennel or pen of such animal.
(G) Insurance.
(1) All owners, keepers, harborers or possessors of pit bull dogs must provide proof to the city of public liability insurance in a single incident amount of $100,000 for bodily injury to or death of any person or persons or for damage to property owned by any persons which may result from owning, possessing, keeping or maintaining of such animal.
(2) Such insurance policy shall provide that no cancellation of the policy will be made unless ten days’ written notice is first given to the city.
(H) Identification photographs. All owners, keepers, possessors or harborers of pit bull dogs must provide to the city two color photographs of the dog clearly showing the color and approximate size of the animal.
(I) Reporting requirements. All owners, keepers, possessors or harborers of pit bull dogs must, within ten days of the incident, report the following information in writing to the city as required hereinafter:
(1) The removal from the city or death of a pit bull dog;
(2) The birth of offspring of a pit bull dog; or
(3) The new address of a pit bull dog owner should the owner move within the corporate limits of the city.
(Ord. 732, passed 10-22-2012) Penalty, see § 90.99
No person shall sell, barter or in any other way transfer possession of a pit bull dog to any person within the city unless the recipient person resides permanently in the same household and on the same premises as the owner of such dog; provided that, the owner of a pit bull dog may sell or otherwise dispose of a pit bull dog or the offspring of such dog to persons who do not reside within the city.
(Ord. 732, passed 10-22-2012) Penalty, see § 90.99
All offspring born of pit bull dogs within the city must be removed from the city within six weeks of the birth of such animal.
(Ord. 732, passed 10-22-2012) Penalty, see § 90.99
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