§ 90.001 DEFINITIONS.

   For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

   ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. The person contracted with by the City Council, designated as such by it, to perform the duties prescribed by this subchapter as an independent contractor.

   AT LARGE. When a dog it is off the property of the person owning, harboring, or keeping a dog and it is not under restraint.

   CITATION. A notice or complaint issue by the Animal Control Officer to the owner of any animal apprising the owner of one or more violations of this subchapter.

   COMMERCIAL KENNEL/BOARDING. A facility or service where dogs, cats and/or other small household pets as permitted by city code are kept or maintained (day or overnight), for the care, training, exercising and/or socializing by a person other than the owner of the animals for a fee. Animal boarding may include incidental grooming, dog walkers or training services. Animal boarding does not including facilities that provide breeding of animal, selling of animals, or facilities whose primary source of revenue is licensed veterinarian services.

   DOG KENNEL. Any place, building, tract of land, boat, or vehicle wherein or whereupon dogs are kept, congregated, or confined, the dogs having been obtained from municipalities, dog pounds, dog auction, or by advertising for unwanted dogs, or dogs abandoned or stolen.

   OWNER. Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or acting as custodian of a dog or other domesticated animal.

   PERSON. Any individual, firm, partnership, or corporation.

   PREMISES. Any building, structure, shelter, or land whereon dogs or other animals are kept or confined.

   PUBLIC NUISANCE ANIMAL OR ANIMALS. Any animal or animals which:

      (1)   If dog or dogs is/are repeatedly found at large;

      (2)   Damages the property of anyone other than its owner;

      (3)   Is/are vicious animal(s);

      (4)   Causes fouling of the air by odor;

      (5)   Causes unsanitary conditions of enclosures or surroundings;

      (6)   By virtue of number of types of animals maintained are offensive or dangerous to the public health, safety, or welfare;

      (7)   Excessively makes disturbing noises;

      (8)   Molests passer(s)by or passing vehicles; or

      (9)   Attacks other domestic animals.

   UNDER RESTRAINT. On the premises of the person harboring or keeping the dog; within a private motor vehicle of a person owning, harboring, or keeping the dog; or controlled by a leash not exceeding six feet in length.

   VETERINARY HOSPITAL. Place for the treatment, hospitalization, surgery, care, and boarding of animals or birds, which place is owned and operated by a licensed veterinarian.

   VICIOUS ANIMAL OR ANIMALS. Any animal or animals which constitute a physical threat to human beings or other animals by virtue of one or more attacks of such severity as to cause property damage or physical injury, however slight.

(Prior Code, § 6-2-1) (Ord. 805, passed 8-14-2023)

§ 90.002 ENFORCEMENT.

   The provisions of this subchapter shall be enforced by the Animal Control Officer and those officers designated in this subchapter. The Animal Control Officer and Wright County Sheriff’s office may issue citations for violations of this subchapter.

(Prior Code, § 6-2-2)

§ 90.003 RIGHT OF ENTRY.

   The Animal Control Officer shall have the right to enter upon any premises at all reasonable times, in accordance with § 10.20, for the purpose of discharging the duties imposed by this subchapter where there is a reasonable belief that a violation of this subchapter has been committed.

(Prior Code, § 6-2-3)

§ 90.004 RUNNING AT LARGE PROHIBITED.

   No dog shall be allowed by its owner to run at large, and every owner of a dog shall cause the same to be:

   (A)   Confined to the owner’s property by training, fencing, or leashing, and females in heat shall be confined in an enclosure and so kept and confined therein during the entire period and until the dogs shall not attract other dogs on account thereof;

   (B)   While in any public place such as a school, playground, or a park, to be on a leash, chain, or cord of not more than six feet in length and in the custody of a person of sufficient age to adequately control the dog at all times; and

   (C)   While in all other areas such as on a public street or in an automobile, to be in the custody of a person of sufficient age to adequately control the dog at all times and to have and keep the dog under control.

(Prior Code, § 6-2-5) Penalty, see § 90.999

§ 90.005 WILD OR VICIOUS ANIMALS PROHIBITED.

   No person shall keep or allow to be kept any place in the city an animal of a ferocious or vicious character, habit, or disposition, or any animal which is wild by nature.

(Prior Code, § 6-2-6) Penalty, see § 90.999

§ 90.006 ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER.

   (A)   The City Council may appoint or designate an Animal Control Officer to enforce the provisions of this subchapter and to perform the duties in connection with the enforcement thereof as the City Administrator or the code of ordinances may direct. The City Administrator may authorize, at the times as he or she may deem necessary, persons designated under Animal Control Officer to purchase equipment for the purpose of capturing and conveying to an animal pound all animals in violation of this code.

   (B)   The designee shall be under the supervision of the Animal Control Officer and the City Administrator and may be authorized to issue violation tags and to carry and display appropriate badges or identification.

(Prior Code, § 6-2-7)

§ 90.007 INTERFERING WITH ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER.

   No person shall in any manner molest, hinder, or interfere with the Animal Control Officer or designee employed directly or by contract with the city to capture animals and convey them to the animal pound while the person is engaged in the occupation. Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Prior Code, § 6-2-8) Penalty, see § 90.999

§ 90.008 RABIES VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS.

   (A)   All dogs and cats, over the age of six months, kept, harbored, maintained, or transported within the city shall have current vaccinations given by a licensed veterinarian for rabies.

   (B)   A copy of certificate of vaccination shall be provided to the Animal Control Officer or designee.

§ 90.009 IMPOUNDMENT OF RABIES SUSPECTS.

   (A)   Any dog or cat not vaccinated in accordance with §§ 90.008 and 90.010 which has bitten any person and caused an abrasion or puncture of the skin of a person shall be seized and impounded under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or at the city contract kennel facility for a period of not less than ten days. If, after a complete examination by a veterinarian the dog or cat has no clinical sign of rabies, it may be released to the owner upon the condition that the owner have the animal vaccinated as required by §§ 90.008 and 90.010 and licensed as required by § 90.013. In the case of a stray, the animal shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable laws. It shall be unlawful for any owner or person having custody or control of any dog or cat not vaccinated in accordance with §§ 90.008 and 90.010 and which has bitten any person to refuse to release the dog or cat and make it immediately available to the Animal Control Officer for the purpose of quarantine.

   (B)   Any dog or cat vaccinated in accordance §§ 90.008 and 90.010 which has bitten any person shall be confined by the owner or other responsible person in such manner as the Animal Control Officer may direct and for a period of not less than ten days. The Animal Control Officer or authorized representative shall conduct a mid-term and terminal examination of the animal. If no signs of rabies are observed by the Animal Control Officer, the domestic animal may be released from confinement. It shall be unlawful for any owner or person in custody or control of any vaccinated dog or cat which has bitten any person to refuse or fail to quarantine the dog or cat as required by this division (B). The Animal Control Officer or his or her agent shall seize any dog or cat not quarantined in accordance with this division (B).

   (C)   Any other animal which has bitten any person and caused an abrasion or puncture of the skin of a person shall be seized and impounded under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or at the city contract kennel facility for a period of not less than ten days. If after a complete examination by a veterinarian the animal has no clinical signs of rabies, the animal may, with the approval of the Animal Control Officer, be released to the owner. In the case of an unclaimed animal, it shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable laws. It shall be unlawful for any owner or person in custody or control of any animal which has bitten any person to refuse to release the animal and make it immediately available to the Animal Control Officer for the purpose of quarantine.

   (D)   Any rabies suspect impounded or confined under this section which is found to be sick or diseased shall be reported immediately in writing to the Animal Control Officer by the attending veterinarian or operator of the quarantine facility. The Animal Control Officer shall then take possession of the animal for the purposes of determining if it is suffering from rabies.

(Prior Code, § 6-2-11) Penalty, see § 90.999