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For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AT LARGE. Any dog which is not confined within a fenced or completely enclosed area or on a chain or leash.
DOG. Any male, female, spayed female or neutered male dog of any age.
DOG KENNEL. Premises where more than four dogs, over six months of age, are raised, kept, housed or boarded.
DOG OF LICENSING AGE. Any dog which has attained the age of six months.
HOUSEHOLD or PREMISES OF A HOUSEHOLD. A dwelling place designed and normally used for and by a traditional single-family unit such as a husband, wife and child/children or the like, and includes, but is not limited to, separate single-family structures, individual apartments, mobile homes, RVs and the like. The fact that a unit may be occupied by multiple, adult, unrelated persons shall not affect the definition or limitations of use and numbers of animals allowed by this subchapter.
IMPOUNDED. Having been received into the custody of the Animal Control Officer, Police Department, Code Enforcement Officer or any authorized agent or representative thereof.
OWNER. Any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping or harboring a dog.
POUND. An animal shelter, lot, premises or buildings maintained by the city for the confinement and care of dogs seized either under the provisions of this subchapter or otherwise.
UNLICENSED DOG. A dog for which the license for the current year has not been paid or to which the tag provided for in this subchapter is not attached.
VICIOUS DOG. A dog that has bitten, clawed or otherwise harmed, or constitutes a physical threat, or a dog whose temperament or habits endanger or menace any person or other animal without provocation by such person or animal. This term shall not include a dog that bites, attacks or menaces a person or other animal that has tormented or injured the dog.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 7-6-2020)
(A) Authority and duties. The person designated by the City Council to act as Animal Control Officer and the city officials shall have the following duties:
(1) To enforce all provisions of this subchapter and any amendment thereof and all ordinances enacted relating to dogs;
(2) To enforce licensing and control of dogs in the city;
(3) To file complaints against any person failing to license any dog as provided or who otherwise fails to comply with the provisions of this subchapter; and
(4) To capture dogs found running at large.
(B) Right of entry. In the enforcement of any provisions of this subchapter, the Animal Control Officer or any city official is authorized to enter the premises of any person to take possession of a licensed or unlicensed, at large, dangerous or vicious dog when in fresh pursuit of such dog at the time the dog goes onto private property.
(C) Interference with enforcement. It is unlawful for any person to interfere with, molest, hinder or prevent the Animal Control Officer or city official in the discharge of their duties as prescribed in this subchapter or to violate any of the provisions of this subchapter.
(Ord. passed - -) Penalty, see § 90.99
(A) License and registration required.
(1) All dogs over the age of six months kept, harbored or maintained by any person in the city shall be licensed and registered.
(2) All dogs under the age of six months kept, harbored or maintained by any person in the city and found to be at large, and impounded will be required to be licensed and registered at the time the impound fees are paid in order to be released back to the owner.
(3) Payment of the license fee shall be made to the City Clerk. Dog licenses shall be issued by the City Clerk and/or city official upon payment of a license fee.
(4) All dog owners within the city shall renew their current dog licenses on or before January 1 of each year. The owner shall state at the time application is made for such license, his or her name, address, phone number and the sex, breed and color of each dog owned or kept by the resident.
(5) The license fee shall cover the period of one year (12 months) commencing on January 1 and terminating on December 31.
(6) Dogs used as guides or assistants for blind persons or other handicapped persons shall be licensed and registered as other dogs provided for in this subchapter.
(B) License fees.
(1) Annually, no later than January 1, the owner of the dog shall pay a license fee of $5 for each dog.
(2) The owner of any newly acquired dog of licensing age or any dog which attains licensing age shall make application for a license and official metal registration tag for such dog within ten days after such acquisition or age attainment. A new resident of the city who owns a dog of licensing age shall make and apply for a license within ten days of moving into the city.
(C) License tags; issuance and removal.
(1) Upon payment of the license fee, the City Clerk shall issue to the owner a certificate and a metallic tag for each dog so licensed.
(2) The tag shall have stamped thereon identifying information and the license number corresponding with the tag number of the certificate.
(3) Every owner shall be required to provide each dog with a collar or harness to which the license tag shall be affixed and shall see that the collar and the tag are constantly worn.
(4) Replacement dog tags shall be issued upon payment of $2.50 for each tag so issued to replace the original tag that was lost or destroyed.
(5) Dog tags shall not be transferable from one dog to another, and no refunds shall be made on any dog license fee for any reason whatsoever.
(6) The original certificate shall be retained by the owner or harborer of the licensed dog for inspection by the Animal Control Officer or city official.
(7) No person shall remove or cause to be removed the collar or metallic tag from any licensed dog without the consent of the owner, keeper or harborer thereof.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 7-6-2020) Penalty, see § 90.99
(A) Keeping in kennel. It is unlawful for any household to harbor or keep within the city more than four dogs or any lost or strayed dog.
(B) Notify city officials of strayed dog. Whenever any dog is found which appears to be lost or strayed, it shall be the duty of the finder to notify the Animal Control Officer or city officials. The Animal Control Officer or officials of the city shall impound the dog and dispose of the same as provided in this subchapter for the disposition of a dog impounded for running at large contrary to the terms of this subchapter. If there is attached to the dog a license tag for the then current year, the Animal Control Officer or official shall notify the person to whom the license was issued, at the address given in the license.
(Ord. passed - -) Penalty, see § 90.99
(A) Secure enclosure. Persons owning or having custody or control of any dog or other animal that is vicious or dangerous shall keep such animal in a secure enclosure from which the animal cannot escape and for which exit and entry is controlled by the owner of the premises or owner of the animal.
(B) Running at large prohibited; right to kill vicious dog. No vicious or dangerous dog or other animal shall run at large on private or public property in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any person off of said premises or of any person lawfully entering such premises. Any vicious dog removed from the secure enclosure must be restrained by a chain sufficient to control the vicious dog. Any city official or Animal Control Officer may kill any animal they find to be immediately threatening the safety of or endangering the life or limb of any person, whether said animal is licensed or not.
(C) Dog rushing at person. Any owner or keeper of a dog that rushes at any person on a public right-of-way or lawfully on any property, public or private, or any postal, utility or city employee during the course of his or her employment, or any cyclist or motor vehicle, shall keep such dog confined or tethered in such a manner as to prevent such action by said dog.
(D) Offense of having custody of vicious dog. In any case where a person has been charged or cited with the offense of owning or having custody of a vicious or dangerous dog or other animal pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter, the City Clerk may file a motion requesting destruction of the animal prior to a final adjudication of the criminal charges. The animal shall remain confined at the animal shelter or pound pending a final decision on the motion. The court may order the destruction of the animal upon making a finding that the animal is “vicious”, as defined in this subchapter, and that it poses a danger to the public if allowed to be released from confinement.
(Ord. passed - -) Penalty, see § 90.99
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