(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to allow or maintain, run at large, or display in a crowded area within the city any animal of a venomous, vicious, ferocious, or dangerous habit, nature, or disposition. Any such found running at large within the city may be impounded or disposed of by the Animal Control Officer. All persons or organizations authorized by the city are excluded from this provision.
(B) An animal may be declared to be a vicious animal by the Police Chief under the following:
(1) An animal which, in a vicious or terrorizing manner, approaches in apparent attitude of attack, or bites, inflicts, injury, assaults, or otherwise attacks a person or other animal upon any public ground or place.
(2) An animal which on private property in a vicious or terrifying manner approaches in apparent attitude of attack, or bites, inflects injury, or otherwise attacks a person or other animal who is on private property by reason of permission of the owner or occupant of such property or who is on private property by reason of course of dealing with the owner or occupant of such property.
(3) Any animal of a known propensity, tendency, or otherwise threaten the safety of human beings or animals.
(4) No animal may be declared vicious if the injury or damage is sustained to any person or animal who was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the animal or who was trespassing on the property by committing or attempting to commit a crime.
(5) When the Police Chief declares an animal to be vicious, the officer shall notify the owner of such declaration in writing that such animal must be registered as a vicious animal. Said notice shall be served either in person or by mailing such notice by certified mail.
(C) The owner of an animal that has been declared vicious shall make application to Police Chief to register said vicious animal and shall comply with the following.
(1) Annually renew a vicious animal application at a fee of $75.
(2) Maintain $250,000 in liability insurance.
(3) The owner of the animal shall notify the Police Department of any changes in the following:
(a) Ownership of the animal.
(b) Name, address, and telephone number of a new owner.
(c) Address change of the owner or any change in where the animal is housed.
(d) Any change in the health status of the animal or death of the animal.
(4) If the animal is outdoors and attended, the animal shall be muzzled, on a leash no longer than four feet, and under the control of a person over the age of 18 years of age.
(5) If the animal is outdoors and unattended, the animal must be locked in an escape-proof kennel approved by the city with the following conditions:
(a) Fencing material shall not have openings with a diameter of more than two inches.
(b) Any gates within such pen or structure shall be lockable and such design to prevent the entry of children or escape of the animal.
(c) The pen or structure shall have secure sides and top. If the pen or structure has no bottom secured to the sides, the sides shall be embedded in the ground or concrete.
(d) The pen or structure shall protect the animal from the elements.
(e) The pen or structure may be required to have a double exterior wall to prevent the insertion of fingers or other objects.
(f) A universal sign denoting a vicious animal shall be displayed on the pen or structure visible from the sidewalk/street.
(g) The kennel or structure shall be inspected annually by the Police Department. A fee of $50 for the inspection will be the responsibility of the owner.
(h) The owner of the animal shall present proof to the Police Department that the animal has been altered to prevent reproduction.
(i) The vicious animal shall be impounded at the owner’s expense until such time as the provisions of this chapter are complied with.
(Ord. 33, passed 7-8-2010; Ord. 2023-07, passed 7-20-2023) Penalty, see § 91.999