(A) Animals running at large. No owner or custodian of any animal shall allow said animal to stray beyond his or her property or premises, unless the animal is under the reasonable control of a responsible person. Such an animal running at large may be impounded with fees charged to reclaim animal in accordance with § 91.04.
(B) Public nuisance.
(1) Any animal that unreasonably annoys humans, endangers the life or health of other animals or livestock, or substantially interferes with the rights of citizens, other than their owners, to the enjoyment of life or property, can be found to be a public nuisance. Such animal may be impounded with fees charged to reclaim in accordance with § 91.04.
(2) The term PUBLIC NUISANCE includes, and shall mean, but is not limited to, any animal that:
(a) Damages the property of anyone other than its owner;
(b) Molests or intimidates pedestrians or passersby;
(c) Excessively makes disturbing noises, including, but not limited to, barking, whining, or other utterances causing unreasonable annoyance, disturbance, or discomfort to neighbors or others;
(d) Accumulates an unreasonable amount of excrement on the owner’s property; and
(e) Threatens, injures, or kills domestic animals or livestock off the owner’s property.
(C) Vicious animals. No person shall own keep, possess, or harbor any animal that is vicious. An animal may be deemed vicious if such animal attacks or bites a person, or a domesticated animal or livestock, without provocation.
(D) Unwanted animals. An individual who no longer wants his or her own animal may surrender it at the animal shelter. The owner must be a resident of the county and provide valid identification. A surrender form must be signed and dated. At that time the animal becomes the property of the county, the owner is allowed a 24-hour period immediately following surrender to have a change of mind regarding the surrender.
(E) Care of animals. No owner of an animal shall fail to supply such animal with adequate food, water, exercise, shelter, and a living space free of accumulated excrement. The animal shall be provided with reasonable necessary health care in addition to a current rabies vaccine.
(Ord. 2018-04, passed 6-5-2018) Penalty, see § 10.99