(A) The actions of an animal constitute a public nuisance when an animal disturbs the rights of, threatens the safety of, or injures a member of the general public, damages property, or interferes with the ordinary use and enjoyment of the property of others in the vicinity of where the animal is kept or properties affected by its running at large.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess or maintain an animal in a manner so as to constitute a public nuisance. By way of example and not of limitation, the following acts or actions by an owner or keeper are hereby declared to be a public nuisance; and are therefore, unlawful:
(1) Allowing or permitting an animal to damage the property of anyone other than its owner or keeper, or to impede the property’s ordinary use and enjoyment, even if the property is not physically damaged.
(2) Maintaining an animal that habitually or repeatedly chases, snaps at, or attacks persons, bicycles, or vehicles, or maintaining any animal whose behavior constitutes a reasonable risk of injuring a human or other animal.
(3) Maintaining property in a manner which results in an environment of unsanitary conditions causing offensive odors, filth, vermin, or disease; or is dangerous to the animal or the public health, safety or welfare of the community because of the number type, variety, density, or location of the animals on the property.
(4) Allowing or permitting an animal to whine, crow or cackle, without being provoked, in an excessive, continuous, or unreasonable fashion, or to make other noise, without being provoked, in a manner so as to result in a serious interference with the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring premises.
(C) Upon the receipt of a complaint that a person is violating the provisions of this section, the animal control officer or other appropriate law or codes enforcement officer shall investigate the complaint. If the investigation determines that the complaint is justified, the animal control officer or other appropriate law or codes enforcement officer shall notify the owner or keeper of the animal, in writing, to correct the violation.
(D) Should the owner or keeper of any animal found to be in violation of this section fail to correct the violation after ten days of the date of notice, the owner or keeper shall be subject to the penalties for violations provided in this chapter and may be subject to impoundment of the animal.
(Ord. 16-08, passed 4-4-16; Am. Ord. 16-22, passed 9-6-16)