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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
There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any dog registered within the city as a pit bull dog or any of those breeds defined by § 90.45 of this chapter is in fact a dog subject to the requirements of this subchapter.
(Ord. 732, passed 10-22-2012)
It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper, harborer or possessor of a pit bull dog within the city to fail to comply with the provisions of this subchapter. Any dog found to be the subject of a violation of this subchapter shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment. In addition, failure to comply will result in the revocation of the license of such animal resulting in the immediate removal of the animal from the city.
(Ord. 732, passed 10-22-2012) Penalty, see § 90.99
Any person violating any provision of this chapter for which no specific penalty is prescribed shall be subject to § 10.99 of this code of ordinances.
(Ord. 486, passed 4-1-1993; Ord. 494, passed 9-2-1993; Ord. 732, passed 10-22-2012; Ord. 832, passed 4-22-2019)