(A) Every female canine and feline in estrus (heat) shall be confined in a building or secure enclosure (for the purposes of this section, a chain or fence shall not be considered a secure enclosure unless it is enclosed on all six sides), so that the female canine or feline cannot come into contact with another animal of that species, except for planned breeding.
(B) An animal in estrus that is not in a secure enclosure may be impounded in the animal shelter.
(C) An owner who reclaims an animal in heat within 72 hours of impoundment must leave the animal in the animal shelter until the animal is no longer in heat, at the cost equal to the actual cost of housing the animal, not to exceed $50 per day.
(D) Second violation of an animal in estrus not being properly contained, the owner of said animal shall be required to have animal spayed by a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours of reclaiming animal from Marion Animal Care and Control at the owners expense.
(E) Each dog or and cat over the age of six months which is kept in the city shall have been sterilized and rendered incapable of reproducing by a licensed veterinarian unless a veterinarian has certification in writing that it would not be in the animals best medical interest.
(F) It shall be unlawful for a person to own a dog or cat not in compliance with this section and for which, the owner does not have a current and valid intact breeders permit.
(G) A violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine not less than $200 for each offense and for each recurring violation. A veterinarian who sterilizes a dog or cat shall provide to the owner a certificate containing owners name, address and phone number, date of sterilization, description of the animal, the name of the veterinarian facility and the veterinarian signature. Each owner of a dog or cat which is kept in the city shall produce the sterilization certificate upon request by an officer authorized to impound animals.
(Ord. 7-2014, passed 4-1-2014)