(A) It shall be unlawful for any owner or possessor of any animal to allow such animal to run at large, whether wearing a collar and tag or not, within the city. Any and all such animals found running at large, whether wearing a collar and tag or not, may be immediately impounded by officers of the animal control unit or any police officer. The officers may pursue the animal onto private property to effect capture of such animal.
(B) It shall be the duty of every owner or custodian of any animal to exercise reasonable care and take all necessary steps and precautions to protect other people, property, and animals from injuries or damage which might result from the animal’s behavior. If the owner or custodian of any animal is a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor shall be jointly responsible for the minor’s violation of this chapter.
(C) It shall be the duty of every owner or custodian of any animal to ensure that the animal is kept under restraint and that reasonable care and precautions are taken to prevent the animal from leaving the real property limits of its owner, possessor, or custodian, and ensure that it is:
(1) Securely and humanely enclosed within a house, building, fence, pen, or other enclosure out of which it cannot climb, dig, jump, or otherwise escape on its own volition; and that such enclosure is securely locked at any time the animal is left unattended;
(2) Securely and humanely restrained by chain, cable, or trolley, or other tether of sufficient strength to prevent escape; or
(3) On a leash and under the direct control of a competent person while on public property or property open to the public; or off a leash and obedient to that person’s command and that person is present with the animal any time it is not restrained in areas designated as a dog park.
(D) The chaining of dogs is discouraged, but if it is done, the following is required.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any animal to be tethered between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; or to tether or confine an animal at a vacant structure or premises for any purpose or time when it is not monitored by a competent person who is present at the property for the duration of such tethering or confinement.
(2) The animal must have shelter from the weather, yet free from becoming entangled with the tether.
(3) The tether must be at least 12 feet in length with operational swivels on both ends. If the dog is attached to a trolley system, the running line must be at least 12 feet in length and the tether length must be greater than the height of the running line.
(4) The animal shall not be tethered by use of a choke collar nor by any rope, chain, or cord directly attached to the animal’s neck. The tether must be not of a weight heavy enough to cause physical damage to the animal’s neck or body.
(5) The tether must be attached in a manner so that it cannot wrap around vertical items such as a barrel, pole, or tree. It must be able to move freely in all directions.
(Ord. 11-2021, passed 10-12-2021) Penalty, see § 92.99