(A) The keeping of dogs, cats and other animals shall be done in such a manner as to be conducive to the health and safety of such animals, and to safeguard the health, peace and decency of the public.
(B) All animals shall be kept under restraint at all times.
(C) No owner shall fail to prevent his or her animals from molesting passersby, chasing vehicles, obstructing traffic, attacking other animals or people, trespassing onto school grounds, or trespassing onto private or public property in such a manner as to damage or defecate on such property.
(D) No owner shall fail to confine a female dog in heat within a building, veterinary hospital or boarding kennel in such a manner that the female cannot come into contact with male dogs except for planned breeding. The confinement of the female shall be maintained at all times during the heat period.
(E) Unrestrained and public nuisance animals, abandoned animals, animals found suffering from cruelty or lack of care as specified in this chapter, animals used or abused in any manner prohibited by this chapter, may be seized by the animal control officer or any law enforcement officer from any place, public or private and impounded at the animal shelter. The owner may also be proceeded against for violation of this chapter.
(F) All waste from animals shall be disposed of properly. Waste shall be confined to the owner’s property. Any animal waste on public property by the animal is the owner’s responsibility to clean up, excepting a disabled person working with a service animal. This provision applies to owners of horses lawfully used for transportation, who may meet this requirement through use of a device reasonably designed to catch manure and prevent its deposit onto city streets.
(G) Individual homes shall not harbor more than three dogs and not more than five total animals per household without registering for a special permit from the City Council. Each time an addition is made to the number of animals, the City Council shall be notified by certified letter. Fish shall be exempt from this requirement. Small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles (less than one pound) are also exempt from this requirement.
(H) If by a license tag or other means the owner of an impounded animal can be identified, the animal control officer, police officer or any employee of a law enforcement agency shall immediately contact the owner by phone or mail.
(‘79 Code, § 3-2) (Ord. 768, passed 7-10-79; Am. Ord. 26-2000, passed 11-28-00; Am. Ord. 12-2008, passed 11-25-08; Am. Ord. 02-2015, passed 1-27-15) Penalty, see § 91.99