A. No person owning, keeping, possessing, harboring, or maintaining a dog shall allow that dog to be at large. A dog is not deemed to be at large:
1. If the dog is restrained by a leash, chain, rope, or cord of sufficient strength to control the action of the dog, or if confined in a suitable enclosure;
2. While the dog is actively engaged in dog-obedience training, accomplished by and under the control of his or her owner or trainer, provided that the person training the dog has in his or her possession a dog leash of sufficient strength to control the dog, and, further, that the dog is actually enrolled in or has graduated from a dog-obedience training school which has been approved by the City Enforcement Agent;
3. While the dog is being exhibited at an American Kennel Club-approved show;
4. While the dog is engaged in races approved by the State Racing Commission; and/or
5. While the dog is actively engaged in livestock control.
B. The City Enforcement Agent may apprehend and impound any dog found running at large contrary to the provisions of this section or he or she may, in lieu of impoundment, cite the owner into any court of competent jurisdiction. The City Enforcement Agent shall have the right to enter upon private property when it be necessary to do so in order to apprehend any dog that has been running at large. The entrance upon private property shall be in reasonable pursuit of the dog. It is unlawful to permit any dangerous or vicious animal to run at large within the city and the animal shall be immediately impounded by the City Enforcement Agent.
C. The City Enforcement Agent is hereby authorized to issue at his or her discretion a warning or warnings for an offense under this section if circumstances warrant a warning rather than a citation (i.e., a dog inadvertently escaping through no fault of the owner).
D. If any dangerous, vicious, or fierce dog cannot, in the discretion of a police officer, be safely taken up and impounded, the dog may be immediately slain. Any police officer may, at his or her discretion, for any humane reason, immediately kill any dog found at large within the town that is in violation of this chapter.
(Ord. 2012-004, passed 6-19-2012) Penalty, see Article 1-8