(A) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DANGEROUS DOG. Has the same meaning as set forth in R.C. § 955.11.
INJURY. Any tear or breaking of an individual’s flesh as a result of a hostile contact by a dog.
VICIOUS DOG. Has the same meaning as set forth in R.C. § 955.11 and shall include in addition any breed of dog that is commonly known as a “pit bull dog”. This includes any Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, or American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog or mixed breed of dog which contains, as an element of its breeding, the breed of Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier or American Staffordshire terrier, and the Perro De Canario, aka the canary dog.
(B) Any person owning, keeping, possessing, harboring, maintaining or having the care, custody or control of a vicious dog shall:
(1) Register the dog with the Police Department annually, between January 2 and January 20, and within 30 days when a vicious dog is obtained;
(2) At the time of registration provide proof of liability insurance as required by division (F) below;
(3) Notify the Police Department within 72 hours if the dangerous or vicious dog has died or has been sold or donated, and provide the Police Department with the name, address and telephone number of the new owner;
(4) Pay an annual registration fee of $25 to cover the administrative expenses associated herewith;
(5) Have his or her dog spayed or neutered; and
(6) Upon moving into the village register his or her dog within 30 days and have the dog spayed or neutered within 30 days.
(C) No owner, keeper or harborer of any female dog shall permit it to go beyond the premises of the owner, keeper or harborer at any time the dog is in heat, unless the dog is properly on leash.
(D) No owner, keeper or harborer of any dog shall fail at any time to do the following:
(1) Keep the dog either physically confined or restrained upon the premises of the owner, keeper or harborer by a leash, tether, adequate fence, secure enclosure or supervision so as to prevent escape; or
(2) Have the dog under reasonable control of some person.
(E) No owner, keeper or harborer of a dangerous or vicious dog shall fail to do any of the following.
(1) While the dog is on the premises of the owner, keeper or harborer, securely confine it at all times in a locked pen which has a top, locked fenced yard or other locked enclosure which has a top, except that a dangerous dog may, in the alternative, be tied with a leash or tether so that the dog is adequately restrained.
(2) While the dog is off the premises of the owner, keeper or harborer, keep it on a chain link leash or tether that is no more than six feet in length and, in addition, do at least one of the following:
(a) Keep the dog in a locked pen which has a top, locked fenced yard or other locked enclosure which has a top;
(b) Have the leash or tether controlled by a person who is of suitable age and discretion or securely attach, tie or affix the leash or tether to the ground or a stationary object or fixture in such a manner that the dog is restrained and station the individual aforesaid in such proximity to that dog so as to prevent the dog from causing injury to any person; or
(c) Muzzle the dog.
(F) No owner, keeper or harborer of a vicious dog shall fail to obtain liability insurance with an insurer authorized to write liability insurance in this state providing coverage in each occurrence subject to a limit, exclusive of interest and costs, of not less than $100,000 because of damage or bodily injury to, or death of a person caused by a vicious dog.
(Ord. 2001-35, passed 8-27-2001; Ord. 2003-18, passed 6-4-2003) Penalty, see § 90.99