It is hereby declared that vicious dogs as defined in this chapter have become a serious and widespread threat to the safety and welfare of the members of the general public, in that vicious dogs have in recent years assaulted without provocation and seriously injured numerous individuals, particularly children, and have killed people and animals. Some of these attacks have occurred in public places. The number and severity of these attacks are also attributable to the failure of owners to register, confine and properly control vicious dogs. It is further declared that the necessity for the regulation and control of vicious dogs is a city-wide problem, requiring city-wide regulation, and that existing laws are inadequate to deal with the threat to public health and safety posed by vicious dogs. It is further declared that the owning, keeping or harboring of vicious dogs is a nuisance. It is further declared that because of the danger posed to the public health, safety and welfare by vicious dogs this section constitutes an emergency measure providing for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety and welfare.
(Prior Code, § 6-18) (Ord. 91-8, passed 10-7-1991)