Whenever it becomes necessary to safeguard the public from the dangers of rabies or hydrophobia, the Mayor, if he or she deems it necessary, shall issue a proclamation ordering every person owning or keeping a dog to confine it securely on their premises unless such dog shall have a muzzle of sufficient strength to prevent it from biting any person. Any unmuzzled dog running at large during the time of the proclamation shall be seized and impounded, unless noticeably infected with rabies in which case it shall be destroyed by the Chief without notice to the owner. Dogs impounded during the first two (2) days of such proclamation shall, if claimed within five (5) days be released to the owner unless said dog/s are infected with rabies, upon payment of impounding charges provided for in 4-1A-19. If unclaimed after that period, such dog may be summarily destroyed. Any dogs required to be confined under the provisions of the chapter shall be kept upon the premises of the owner of such place as to be least dangerous to persons lawfully upon said premises.
(Ord. 333, 1-10-2023)