The keeping of vicious dogs will be subject to the following standards.
(a) Leash and muzzle. No person shall permit a vicious dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four (4) feet in length. No person shall permit such a dog to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person is in physical control of the leash. Such dogs may not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings, etc. In addition, all such dogs on a leash outside of the animal’s kennel must be muzzled with a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals.
(b) Confinement. All vicious dogs shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed and muzzled as above provided. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to sides. All structures used to confine such dogs must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure. The structure must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen or the sides of the pen must be embedded in ground to a depth no less than two (2) feet. All structures erected to house the dogs must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City. All such structures must be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(c) Confinement indoors. No vicious 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 animal may be kept in a house or structure where window screens or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the dog from exiting the structure.
(d) Signs. All owners, keepers or harborers of vicious dogs within the City shall within ten (10) days of the effective date of this ordinance display in a prominent place of their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words “BEWARE OF DOG.” In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on the kennel or pen of the animal.
(e) Insurance. All owners, keepers or harborers of vicious dogs must, within ten (10) days of the effective date of this ordinance provide proof to the City of Flint of public liability insurance in a single incident amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for bodily injury to or death of any person or persons which may result from ownership, keeping or maintenance of such animal. Such insurance policy shall provide that no cancellation of the policy will be made unless ten (10) days written notice is first given to the City Clerk of the City of Flint.
(f) Identification photographs. All owners, keepers or harborers of vicious dogs must, within ten (10) days of the effective date of this ordinance provide the City Clerk with two color photographs of the registered animal clearly showing the color and approximate size of the animal.
(Ord. 3040, passed 7-27-1987)