(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
OWNER. Any person who owns, possesses, keeps, exercises control over, maintains, harbors, transports, or sells a pit bull dog.
PIT BULL DOG. Includes:
(a) The bull terrier breed of dogs;
(b) The Staffordshire bull terrier breed of dogs;
(c) The American pit bull terrier breed of dogs;
(d) The American Staffordshire terrier breed of dogs;
(e) Any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, or any other breed commonly known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs, or pit bull terriers, or a combination of any of these breeds.
(B) Pit bull ownership prohibited. Subject to the following provisions pertaining to present ownership rights, it is hereby determined to be a nuisance and unlawful for any person to acquire by any means and thereafter own, keep, harbor, or in any way possess a pit bull dog within the jurisdiction of the city.
(C) Restrictions on current ownership or possession of pit bull dogs. Any person who shall have owned, kept, harbored, or in any way possessed a pit bull dog within the jurisdiction of the city prior to November 1, 2008, shall be required to properly register the said pit bull dog with the city, and such person shall be subject to and abide by the requirements of this section while such pit bull dog remains within the jurisdiction of the city. Any such owner, keeper, harborer, or possessor of a pit bull dog within the city shall comply with the following standards and requirements.
(1) Leash and muzzle. No person shall permit a registered pit bull dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than six feet in length. No person shall permit a pit bull dog to be kept on a chain, rope, or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person is in physical control of the said chain, rope or leash. Such dog shall not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings, and the like. All pit bull dogs on a tether outside the animal’s kennel must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals.
(2) Confinement.
(a) Every registered pit bull dog shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed and muzzled as provided herein. Such pen, kennel, or structure must have:
1. Secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides; and
2. A secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen, or the sides of the pen must be embedded in the ground no less than two feet.
(b) Each structure used to confine a registered pit bull dog must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animal is inside. All structures that are erected to house pit bull dogs must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the city. All such structures must be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(3) Confinement indoors. No pit bull dog may be kept on a porch, patio, or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such building of its own volition. In addition, no animal may be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the dog from exiting the structure.
(D) Signs. All owners of registered pit bull dogs within the city shall display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words “Beware of Dog - Pit Bull.” In addition, a similar sign shall be posted on the kennel or pen of such animal.
(E) Insurance. All owners of registered pit bull dogs shall provide proof to the city of possession of liability insurance in a single-incident amount of $500,000 for bodily injury or death of any person which may result from the ownership of such animal. Such insurance policy shall provide that no cancellation of the written policy may be made unless ten days’ written notice is first given to the city.
(F) Identification photograph. Every owner of a registered pit bull dog shall provide the city two color photographs of the registered animal in two different poses, showing its color and approximate size.
(G) Reporting and disposal requirements. Every owner of a registered pit bull dog shall, within ten days of any of the following incidents, report in writing to the city as follows:
(1) Removal of dog from the city;
(2) Death of said dog;
(3) Birth of offspring, and thereafter the offspring shall be disposed of or removed from the jurisdiction of the city within 45 days of their birth; and
(4) New address if owner moves with the city.
(H) Sale or transfer of ownership prohibited. No person shall sell, barter, or in any other way dispose of a pit bull dog registered with the city to any other person, provided that the owner of the registered pit bull dog may sell or otherwise dispose of it or its offspring to persons who do not reside within the city and do not permit such pit bull dog or offspring to be kept within the jurisdiction of the city.
(Prior Code, § 6-115) (Ord. 679, passed 9-1-2009) Penalty, see § 93.99