(A) A vicious dog is one that has shown a propensity to bite or attack any person without provocation and the capacity to inflict serious harm on a person.
(B) It shall be presumed that any dog which has attacked or bitten a human being without provocation, is a vicious dog.
(1) A vicious dog must be kept on the owner's property in a secure environment capable of assuring that the animal is unable to escape. A vicious dog must be under the immediate control of its owner or handler, and must be restrained with a short leash at all the times that it is not on the owner's property in a secure environment.
IMMEDIATE CONTROL means that the animal may not be loose or tied up away from the owner at any time it is not in a secure environment.
(2) A vicious dog which either has bitten a person or is being kept in violation of division (B)(1) above, may be impounded by any peace officer or dog control officer and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter for the impoundment and disposition of dogs.
(Prior Code, Ord. 230, passed 9-27-1983; Am. Ord. 99-355, passed 6-23-1999)