A. Violations Prohibited: It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any animal on any property located within the corporate limits of the city when the keeping of such animal, or the manner thereof, violates the provisions of this chapter, or when the owner neglects a duty established by this chapter, or carries out conduct which this chapter labels as unlawful, or engages in activities, actions or behavior which violates a rule of conduct or requirement of this chapter, or which creates a menace to public health or safety so as to create a nuisance to neighboring property owners or the public at large.
B. Owner Responsible: Owners of an animal shall be responsible for the behavior of their animal.
C. Violations; Nuisances: Behavior and/or conditions which violate this chapter shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. Any animal that unreasonably annoys humans, endangers the life or health of persons or other animals, or substantially interferes with the rights of citizens, other than its owner, to enjoyment of life or property;
2. Any animal that damages, soils, defiles or defecates on any property other than that of its owner, except for horses being ridden on a designated equestrian trail;
3. Any animal that makes disturbing or grunting noises, including, but not limited to, continued and repeated howling, barking, whining or other utterances which cause annoyance, disturbance or discomfort to reasonable neighbors or reasonable others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept or harbored;
4. Any animal that causes fouling of the air by noxious or offensive odors and thereby creates unreasonable annoyance or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept or harbored, including neglect on the part of the owner to maintain, clean or otherwise eliminate the waste which results from the containment of an animal;
5. Any animal in heat (estrus) that is not confined so as to prevent attraction or contact with other animals;
6. Any animal, whether or not on the property of its owner, that without provocation, molests, attacks, bites, menaces or otherwise interferes with the freedom or movement of persons in a public right of way;
7. Any animal that chases motor vehicles on a public right of way;
8. Any animal that attacks domestic animals;
9. Any owner of animals who causes or allows conditions offensive or dangerous to the public health, safety or welfare by virtue of the number of animals maintained at a single residence or premises or because of the inadequacy of the facilities.
D. At Large Animals: If the name of the owner of an animal found at large is known or can be obtained with reasonable dispatch, the animal control officer or city clerk may attempt contact with such owner and advise the owner of the location of the animal and attempt to make arrangements to return the animal. The officer may remove the animal to the nearest shelter that will accept the animal. The ultimate responsibility for locating an impounded animal is the owner. (Ord. 197, 1-8-2013)