(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;
(1) Service animals in accordance with Ohio Administrative Code 3344-79-02; and
(2) Dogs in accordance with the following:
(a) A dog upon a strapped or corded (not a virtual) leash that is no longer than six feet in length and held in the hand of a person in a manner that continuously controls the dog, except that a dog in Ariss park may be unleashed within the designated fenced area;
(b) A dog wearing a valid registration tag pursuant to R.C. Chapter 955 and § 90.30;
(c) A dog within the following parks, including inside the spectator area of a sport field or sport court, but not on the sport field or sport court:
1. Ariss Park;
2. Boettler Park;
3. Central Park (except that dogs are not permitted in the amphitheater seating area, the playground area, or the splash pad);
4. East Liberty Park;
5. Greensburg Park;
6. Kleckner Park;
7. Kreighbaum Park;
8. Southgate Park; and
9. Spring Hill Sports Complex.
(d) Dogs are not permitted at the following parks or city owned properties:
1. Raintree Golf and Event Center, including on the course;
2. Veteran's Park;
3. Torok Community/Senior Center walking trails;
4. Central Park Amphitheater seating area;
5. Any indoor facility owned or operated by the city;
6. Any park playground areas, play structures;
7. Splash pad; and
8. Within the playing limits of competitive/play sports fields or sports courts.
(e) Dogs are prohibited at special events hosted by the city at any city park.
(D) No person shall fail to clean up after and properly dispose of the waste of his or her service animal or dog in any city park.
(E) 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.
(F) 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.
(G) 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.
(H) Lack of intent, knowledge or fault on the part of the owner is not a defense to a violation of this section.
(I) 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; Ord. 2024-05, passed 4-9-2024)