(A) No owner, keeper or harborer of any dog shall fail at any time to keep such dog either physically confined or restrained upon the premises of the owner by a leash, tether, adequate fence or secure enclosure to prevent escape, or properly in leash and under the immediate control of some person, except when the dog is lawfully engaged in hunting or training for the purpose of hunting, and accompanied by the owner.
(B) No dog shall be at large within the city unless securely attached upon a leash held in the hand of a person in a manner which continuously controls the dog, except when the dog is lawfully engaged in hunting, or training for the purpose of hunting, and accompanied by the owner.
(C) No person shall take, lead or have in his or her possession any animal in any city park, except that dogs upon a leash, no longer than six feet in length, held in the hand of a person in a manner which continuously controls the dog, are permitted in East Liberty Park, Ariss Park, Southgate Park and Central Park in designated areas. Other than service animals, dogs permitted in the aforementioned city parks are not permitted on sports fields, sports courts, in playground areas or the amphitheater at Central Park. Dogs are only permitted to be unleashed within the fenced dog park area within Ariss Park. Dogs shall be registered and wearing tags as required under R.C. Ch. 955, cleaned up after, and waste properly disposed.
(D) No person, being the owner of a dog, shall encourage or permit such dog to:
(1) Snap at, menace, attempt to bite or attempt to cause physical harm to any person or animal, while the dog is off the premises of the owner, or while on premises which are not exclusively controlled by the owner;
(2) Cause physical harm to the property of another while the dog is off the premises of the owner, or while on premises which are not exclusively controlled by the owner; or
(3) Bite or otherwise cause physical harm to any person or animal while the dog is off the premises of the owner, or while on premises which are not exclusively controlled by the owner.
(E) It shall be an affirmative defense to a violation of divisions (A) and (B) of this section that the dog was:
(1) Securely confined in an automobile or cage which is adequately ventilated; or
(2) Being exhibited at a public dog show, zoo, museum or public institution.
(F) No public law enforcement agency or member thereof, or a licensed private law enforcement agency or member thereof, shall be convicted of any violation of this section where the dog is owned by the agency and at that time engaged in law enforcement activities.
(G) Lack of intent, knowledge or fault on the part of the owner is not a defense to a violation of this section.
(H) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor for a first offense and a misdemeanor of the fourth degree for each subsequent offense.
(Prior Code, § 618.03) (Ord. 92-14, passed 6-9-1992; Ord. 2018-08, passed 5-22-2018)