A. Rabies Vaccination Required: Every owner or keeper of a dog, cat, or ferret kept as a pet over three (3) months of age within the City must have the dog, cat, or ferret vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian with an anti rabies vaccine that is currently effective.
A vaccination certificate is valid only for the dog, cat, or ferret and owner to which it was issued. A person must not use a rabies vaccination certificate for a different dog, cat, or ferret than the one for which it was issued.
A vaccinated dog, cat, or ferret shall be revaccinated at intervals not to exceed the effective duration of the vaccination as listed in the compendium of animal rabies control prepared by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians.
B. Restraint Of Dogs: Subject to the exceptions stated in section 5-4-12 of this chapter, every owner shall keep his or her dog on a leash not greater than sixteen feet (16') in length and under restraint at all times with the exception of the owner's property. Owners should take all reasonable steps to secure animals on their property, including but not limited to a fenced enclosure, an electronic perimeter fence for which the dog has been trained, or a chain or lead. Dogs in common areas of apartments, condominiums, cooperatives, and town homes shall be kept on a leash not greater than sixteen feet (16') in length and under restraint at all times. The exception is one of the City's designated off-leash dog areas which is as follows:
1. Inside the fenced area of the Heritage Village Park off-leash dog park.
C. Removal Of Animal Feces: Any person having custody or control over any dog or cat on any property within the City, other than the property of the dog or cat's owner, must have in his or her immediate possession a device for picking up and disposing of dog or cat feces, and must pick up and dispose of any and all feces in a sanitary manner. This subsection does not apply to the following:
1. Disabled persons using guide or service dogs.
A violation of this subsection C is a petty misdemeanor.
D. Female Dogs In Season: Every female dog in season shall be confined within a building or secure enclosure in such a manner that it cannot come into contact with another dog except for intentional breeding conducted within a building. The female dog in season may be taken from the secure area on a secure leash not greater than sixteen feet (16') controlled by a person of sufficient age or into a confined outdoor enclosure on the owner's property in order for the dog to urinate and/or defecate. Female dogs in heat are not authorized to utilize any of the City's designated off leash dog areas.
E. General Duty Of Owners: Every owner or keeper of a dog must 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 dog's behavior. When approaching another person, the dog must be brought beside the person having custody and close control maintained.
F. Stopping An Attack: Animal control authority who witness an attack by an animal upon a person or another animal may take whatever action the animal control authority deem to be appropriate to end the attack and prevent further injury to the victim(s). (Ord. 1367, 4-8-2019, eff. 5-1-2019)