(A) It shall be unlawful for an owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog as defined in § 91.01 and designated pursuant to this chapter to:
(1) Leave a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog unattended on the owner’s real property unless the dog is confined indoors or in a secure enclosure which is locked. A SECURE ENCLOSURE means an enclosure that meets all of the following criteria:
(a) A structure which is suitable to prevent the entry of young children and to prevent the dog from escaping;
(b) A structure with secure sides and a secure top, or secure sides which are of sufficient height to prevent the dog from escaping over the sides;
(c) A structure whose sides are constructed at the bottom so as to prevent the dog’s escape by digging under the sides; and
(d) A structure which provides appropriate protection for the dog from the elements.
(2) Permit a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog to go beyond its owner’s real property unless the dog is leashed and muzzled or is otherwise securely restrained and muzzled.
(B) If the owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog transfers ownership or possession of the dog to another owner, the transferring owner shall provide written notice to:
(1) The Chief of Police, or his or her designee, stating the name and address of the new owner or possessor of the dog; and
(2) The person taking ownership or possession of the dog, specifying the dog’s dangerous behavior and the authority’s determination of dangerous or potentially dangerous dog.
(C) Any owner of a duly declared dangerous or potentially dangerous dog shall erect a sign (two feet by two feet) which shall be clearly visible from the public right-of-way on the enclosure housing said dog which shall read:
BEWARE!
DANGEROUS DOG
DANGEROUS DOG
(D) The owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog is required to maintain in full force and effect a liability insurance policy of $100,000 for personal injury or death of any person resulting from an attack by such dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog.
(E) If the owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog does not own the property where the dog is being kept, then the owner of the dangerous or potentially dangerous dog must have written permission from the property owner where the dog is to be kept before such dog may be kept on the property owner’s premises. This specifically includes, but is not limited to, dogs kept on the property of friends or relatives, and dogs kept on rental property.
(1997 Code, § 91.14) (Ord. passed 4-13-1999; Ord. 2006-24, passed 6-13-2006) Penalty, see § 91.99