505.01 DOGS RUNNING AT LARGE AND OTHER ANIMAL PROHIBITIONS.

   (a)   No person shall own, keep or harbor live cattle, sheep, geese, ducks, turkeys, chickens, pigs, goats or other farm-type animals within the municipal limits of the City of Fairfield, Ohio. This subsection shall not apply to the following:

      (1)   Animals which are located on premises which are three acres or more in size under the same contiguous ownership and are located on such premises with the consent of the property owners.

      (2)   Animals which are located on the premises of a public or non-public school which is chartered by the State of Ohio Department of Education and such animals are used in the instruction of students.

      (3)   Animals which are caged and/or confined during actual transport by vehicle in the City.

   (b)   The owner or keeper of every dog shall at all times keep the dog either confined on the premises of the owner or firmly secured by means of a collar and chain or other device so that is cannot stray beyond the premises of the owner or keeper. At all other times, the dog shall be properly kept on a leash and under the full and complete care of the owner or keeper.

   (c)   No owner, keeper or harborer of any female dog shall permit the female dog to go beyond the premises of the owner or keeper at any time the dog is in heat, unless the female dog is properly on leash.

   (d)   The running at large of any such animal in or upon any of the places mentioned in this section is prima-facie evidence that it is running at large in violation of this section.
(ORC 951.02)

   (e)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor for the first offense and a misdemeanor of the fourth degree for each subsequent offense. In addition to any other sentence that it imposes upon the offender for a second or subsequent offense under this section, the court may order a dog either destroyed or permanently removed from the City when, in the court's judgment, such dog represents a continuing threat of serious harm to human beings or other domestic animals. The fact that a dog has chased or approached in a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack or has attempted to bite or otherwise endanger any person while that dog was off the premises of its owner, keeper or harborer shall not control the court's discretion but shall be considered in favor of the destruction or permanent removal of the dog from the City. Any person found guilty of violating this section shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, boarding and veterinary expenses necessitated by the seizure of the dog, and such other expenses as may be required for the destruction or permanent removal from the City of any such dog.

(Ord. 76-06. Passed 5-22-06.)