§ 610.07 KEEPING OF VICIOUS DOGS.

   (a)   For the purposes of this section, VICIOUS DOG means:

      (1)   Any dog with a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, to cause injury to, or to otherwise endanger the safety of, human beings or other domestic animal ;

      (2)   Any dog which has previously attacked or bitten a human being or other domestic animal other than under the type of circumstances that would be justifiable; or

      (3)   Any dog which has behaved in such a manner that the owner thereof knows or should reasonably know that the dog is possessed of tendencies to attack or bite human beings or other domestic animal other than under the type of circumstances that would be justifiable.

   (b)   The keeping of vicious dogs will be subject to the following standards.

      (1)   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 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 and the like. In addition, all such dogs on a leash outside the animal’s kennel must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals .

      (2)   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 provided above. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. All structures used to confine such dogs must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animal (s) are within the structure. Such 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 the ground to a depth of not less than two feet. All structures erected to house such 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.

      (3)   Escape from confinement. No vicious dog may be kept on a porch or patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such building of 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.

      (4)   Signs. All owners , keepers or harborers of vicious dogs within the city shall, within ten days of the effective date of this chapter (Ordinance 207, passed September 13, 1989) display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words “BEWARE OF DOG ”. In addition, similar signs are required to be posted on the kennel or pen of such animal (s).

      (5)   Failure to comply. It shall be unlawful for the owner , keeper or harborer of a vicious dog within the city to fail to comply with the requirements and conditions set forth in this section. Any dog found to be the subject of a violation of this section shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment.

(Ord. 207, passed 9-13-1989)