The Animal Control Department has the authority to determine whether any person is engaged in the aggression-training of dogs (including, but not limited to Guard Dogs). If the Department makes such a determination, then said person shall comply with the following requirements:
(A) Registration.
(1) Registration required. A current registration shall be maintained by the Animal Control Department for the aggression-trained dog. The owner of said aggression-trained dog is responsible for ensuring that the same is registered hereunder. Registrations required under this division (A) shall be made prior to using the dog as an aggression-trained dog within the county and shall include the name and address of the owner, identifying information concerning the dog, and such other information as the Animal Control Department may reasonably request. Thereafter the owner shall register the aggression-trained dog annually with the Animal Control Department during the month of January unless said dog has died, has been sold, or its ownership has been transferred to any other person, in which event the provisions of division (2) below shall apply.
(2) Sale or transfer of dog. In the event an aggression-trained dog for which a registration is required under division (1) is sold or its ownership is transferred to any other person, the selling or transferring owner shall notify the Animal Control Department as to the same immediately upon the happening of such event. Said notification shall include the information as required under division (1) above as to the new owner. If the new owner resides within the county, then as soon as practicable following receipt of said notification the Animal Control Department shall deliver to the new owner a copy of this chapter and shall obtain a signed receipt therefore. Thereafter the new owner shall be responsible for compliance with said provisions and with all other applicable provisions of § 90.051. If the new owner resides outside the County, then as soon as practicable following receipt of said notification the Animal Control Department shall notify the animal control department of the county of residence of the new owner, by registered or certified letter, return receipt requested, as to the sale or transfer of said dog and as to its designation under this chapter as an aggression-trained dog, together with such other information as the Animal Control Department may deem appropriate.
(3) Death of dog. In the event an aggression-trained dog for which a registration is required under division (1) dies, the owner shall immediately notify the Animal Control Department as to the same.
(B) Identification.
(1) It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any owner of an aggression-trained dog to fail to provide said dog with a current rabies tag and special aggression-trained dog tag. An aggression-trained dog’s owner must provide proof of current rabies inoculation.
(2) The owner of an aggression-trained dog, at the owner’s expense, shall cause the same to be provided with microchip identification.
(C) Inspection. Said person shall allow the Department to inspect the premises where aggression-training is performed and to observe the training methods and the safety of the facility during the operating hours of the aggression-training facility.
(D) Confinement. Said person shall adequately and safely confine all aggression-trained dogs. The Department has the authority to require all aggression-trained dogs to be confined within a secure fence at least six feet high and, at the discretion of the Department, topped by an anti-climb device.
(E) Signs. Provided there is no conflict with applicable zoning regulations, the owner of any aggression-trained dog and the owner of any premises using an aggression-trained dog must conspicuously post on the premises in plain view of the public a sign that identifies the name, address, and telephone number of the aggression-trained dog’s owner and that an aggression-trained dog is present. The sign must be at least 120 square inches in size, but shall not be larger than 240 square inches. In the event of a conflict with applicable zoning regulations, the warning sign shall comply with the requirements of this division (E) as nearly as shall be practicable under said regulations.
(Ord. passed 8-1-2016) Penalty, see § 90.999