No person owning, keeping or harboring a vicious animal shall:
(a) Suffer or permit such animal to go unconfined on the premises of such person, or
(b) Suffer or permit such animal to go beyond the premises of such person unless such animal is secured, securely leashed and muzzled or otherwise securely restrained.
(c) Public law enforcement agencies or members thereof; or a duly licensed private law enforcement agency or members thereof; shall be exempt from the provisions of this section and shall not be convicted of any violation thereof so long as such animal is owned by the agency and being utilized for law enforcement purposes.
(d) A guard dog trained to attack trespassers on commercial or industrial premises shall not be considered a vicious animal while such dog is on such premises and secured. A guard dog that is not on such premises and is not secured as provided in this subsection shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
(e) Subsections (a), (b), and (c) hereof are necessary controls on the restrained activity of vicious animals which threaten the safety and pleasantness of streets, parks, sidewalks, yards and all areas of the City, and lack of knowledge or lack of intent is not a defense to a violation thereof.
(Ord. 2002-114. Passed 11-6-02.)