9-1-4: ANIMALS AT LARGE; STRAYS:
   A.   Unlawful To Run At Large:
      1.   No person shall permit at any time his animal, except cats as set forth below, to run at large. No leash shall be longer than eight feet (8') in length.
      2.   It shall be unlawful for any cat to run at large unless inoculated for rabies and wearing a license tag issued for the current year by the city clerk and a tag evidencing an immunity from rabies for the current license year.
      3.   Any animal illegally running at large in the city shall be impounded in the Animal Control Center. (Ord. 0-08-38, 9-2-2008)
   B.   Stray Animals: It shall be unlawful for the owner of any domestic animal to cause or allow the same to run at large in the city or be picketed or tied in any public place for the purpose of grazing or feeding. It shall be the duty of the police officers serving the city or any other officer or employee of the city authorized by the city to apprehend and impound any animal not under control. In the event any such animal cannot be safely taken up and the animal is deemed to be a threat to any person or property, said police officers or other officer or employee designated by the city is hereby empowered to eliminate same. Depending upon circumstances, impounding shall be in the Animal Control Center. (Ord. 0-97-78, 12-15-1997, eff. 1-1-1998)
      1.   Known Ownership:
         a.   When the owner of a stray animal is known through licensing, collar identification or other immediate means, the enforcement officers shall notify such person of the impounding in the most expeditious manner available.
         b.   Should an animal be impounded, there shall be no release made until an impoundment fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) is paid to the city and kennel boarding fees paid at the Animal Control Center. If the impounded animal is one requiring a license, release shall not be made until such license is acquired. (Ord. 0-77-26, 10-17-1977)
         c.   The known owner of the stray animal shall have three (3) working days from the time of personal notification excluding Saturday and Sunday and personal holidays in which to claim the animal. Failure by the known owner to obtain release of the impounded animal within this time period shall be deemed an act of disclaiming and the enforcement officers shall consign said animal to a recognized animal humane society or licensed animal shelter. (Ord. 0-97-15, 4-7-1997, eff. 4-17-1997)
      2.   Unknown Ownership:
         a.   When the owner of a stray animal cannot be ascertained, the animal shall be locally impounded for no less than seventy two (72) hours.
         b.   If unclaimed beyond this time period, the enforcement officer shall consign said animal to a recognized humane society or licensed animal shelter. If, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian, such animal is not suitable as a pet, same shall be euthanized.
      3.   Disclaimed Ownership: If for any reason the owner of any stray animal chooses to disclaim ownership of same upon receipt of the impounding notification, the enforcement officer shall proceed to consign the disclaimed animal as provided in section 9-1-6 of this chapter, without regard to the time periods cited above. (Ord. 0-77-26, 10-17-1977)
      4.   Violations; Penalty: Any person violating any provision of this subsection B shall be fined not less than seventy five dollars ($75.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each offense. Any person cited under the provisions of this subsection B4 not paying the fine within fifteen (15) days shall face an additional penalty of not less than seventy five dollars ($75.00) and not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00).
(Ord. 0-16-19, 6-13-2016; amd. Ord. O-23-11, 5-22-2023)