Within the corporate limits of the city, it shall be unlawful for any owner, possessor or person who keeps any dog to permit the same to run at large anywhere within the city limits, including, but not limited to, the private premises of others or upon the streets, alleys, sidewalks, vacant lots, school yards or other unenclosed areas. The owner, keeper or possessor of any dog running at large shall be deemed in violation of this section regardless of the precautions taken to prevent the escape of the dog and to prohibit it from running at large.
A. When Deemed At Large: A dog shall be deemed to be running at large when off or away from the premises of the owner, possessor or keeper unless such dog is in the immediate presence of the owner, possessor or keeper thereof or his agent, servant or a member of his family and under the actual physical control by means of a leash, cord or chain not in excess of ten feet (10') in length. Procuring a license and tag shall not authorize the running at large of said dog. The fact that such dog runs at large by reason of some other person's actions, failure to act or by other event or circumstance shall not be a defense to prosecution under this section. (Ord., 10-17-1990; amd. 2002 Code)
B. Public Nuisances: No owner shall fail to exercise proper care and control of dogs to prevent them from becoming a public nuisance. Excessive, continuous or untimely barking, molesting passersby, chasing vehicles, attacking or destroying other domestic animals, trespassing upon public or private property in such a manner as to damage property shall be deemed a nuisance. (1980 Code § 13-251)