(A) The Police Department shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner of a problematic dog if the owner establishes to the satisfaction of the Police Chief, or his or her designee that:
(1) The owner of the problematic dog is 18 years of age or older;
(2)
The owner of the problematic dog shall present a certificate of insurance issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in the state, providing personal liability insurance coverage as in a homeowner’s policy, with a minimum liability amount of $125,000 for the injury or death of any person, for damage to property of others and for acts of negligence by the owner or his or her agents. The certificate shall require notice to the city, in conformity with general city standards for certificates of insurance, if the underlying policy of insurance is cancelled for any reason. In lieu of such a certificate, a copy of a current homeowner’s policy designating these requirements shall be sufficient proof of insurance for purposes of this division (A)(2). If a certificate of insurance or policy is not immediately available, a binder indicating the coverage may be accepted for up to 30 days subsequent to the determination that a dog is problematic; however, if after 30 days a certificate of insurance or a policy has not been submitted, the dog shall be deemed unlicensed and subject to immediate impoundment or humane euthanasia at the owner’s expense;
(3) A valid license has been issued for the problematic dog at the owner’s expense pursuant to jurisdiction;
(4) The problematic dog has a current rabies vaccination at the owner’s expense;
(5) The owner has a proper enclosure to prevent the entry of any person or animal and the escape of said problematic or dangerous dog, as described in § 90.51 of this chapter;
(6) The problematic dog has been spayed or neutered at the owner’s expense;
(7) The problematic dog has been implanted with a microchip containing owner identification information at the owner’s expense. The microchip information must be registered with the law enforcement, the animal authority, the animal control authority or his or her designee of the jurisdiction; and
(8) The problematic dog has been photographed for identification purposes.
(B) The Police Department shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner of a vicious dog if the owner, in addition to satisfying the requirements for registration of a problematic dog pursuant to division (A) above, establishes to the satisfaction of the Police Chief or his or her designee that:
(1) The owner will maintain the dangerous dog exclusively on the owner’s property, except for medical treatment or examination; and
(2) The owner of the dangerous dog has posted on the premises a clearly visible “Beware of Dog” warning sign indicating there is a dangerous dog on the property. The sign shall be prominently visible from the public roadway or 50 feet, whichever is less.
(C) The Police Chief or his or her designee may order the immediate impoundment of a dog if the owner fails to abide by the conditions for registration or confinement or handling of a vicious, dangerous or problematic dog.
(Ord. 2239, passed 11-4-2014; Ord. 2280, passed 1-4-2017; Ord. 2426, passed 3-20-2023)