(A) A guide dog for a blind or hearing impaired person or a support dog for a physically handicapped person may be kept, harbored or boarded within the person’s home or as otherwise permitted by this chapter, anywhere within the municipality. The owner or custodian of the dog shall keep the Administrator or animal control warden informed of the address where the dog is kept. At all times when a guide dog or support dog is released from confinement, it shall be restrained on a leash and under the direct control of the owner or custodian.
(B) When a person has been bitten by a guide dog or support dog, the dog may continue to perform its duties for the handicapped owner or custodian, and any period of observation required by the Administrator or animal control warden may be fulfilled under the supervision of the handicapped person. A guide dog or support dog found running at large and not under the supervision of the owner or custodian shall be returned to the owner or custodian immediately. Owners or custodians of guide dogs or support dogs are exempt from all fines or fees for the apprehension and return of the escaped dogs; however, owners of these dogs may be held liable for any personal injury or property damage caused by the dogs.
(C) Teasing/striking/tampering with a guide dog or support dog is prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully and maliciously taunt, torment, tease, beat, strike or administer or inject any desensitizing drugs, chemicals or substance to any dog used by a handicapped person to guide or support themselves, or when the dog is placed on a restraint or leash, or within a kennel or pen, or to interfere or meddle with any dog or handler thereof.
(D) Injuring or killing guide dogs or support dogs is prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully or maliciously torture, mutilate, injure, disable, poison or kill any dog used by a handicapped person to guide or support themselves, or when the dog is placed on a restraint or leash, or within a kennel or pen. However, a licensed veterinarian may perform a humane termination of the dog at the owner’s request to prevent undue suffering and pain to the dog.
(1986 Code, § 6.16.050) (Ord. 1514, passed - -1999) Penalty, see § 90.999