(A) Confinement. All vicious dogs shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed or muzzled as set forth in division (B) below. All structures erected to house vicious dogs shall comply with all zoning and building regulations of the town. All such structures shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(B) Leash and muzzle. No person owning, harboring, sheltering, or keeping a vicious dog may permit such dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless the dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four feet in length. No person may permit a vicious 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. A vicious dog on a leash outside the dog’s kennel may be muzzled with a device sufficient to prevent the dog from biting persons or other animals.
(C) Signage. All owners, keepers, or harborers of vicious dogs shall display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public, stating “danger - vicious dog.” A similar sign must be posted on the kennel or pen of the dog.
(D) Vicious dog determination. All complaints relating to vicious dogs shall be referred to the Town Police Department. Once notified of a formal complaint, the Town Council will schedule a hearing, giving notice and opportunity to be heard to the owner. The Town Council, upon a majority vote, shall make a determination as to whether such a dog is vicious, as defined in § 91.01. Upon a determination that a dog is vicious, the Town Council shall inform the owner, keeper, or harborer of the dog and shall provide such person with a copy of this section.
(E) Compliance or disposal. Within 15 days of a decision that a dog is vicious, as determined in division (D) above, the owner of the vicious dog shall either comply with all the provisions of this section or dispose of such dog.
(Ord. 2006-7, passed 9-11-2006) Penalty, see § 91.99