(a) “Vicious dog” means any dog that is vicious, dangerous or in the habit of biting or attacking other persons, dogs or other animals, whether or not such dog wears a tag or muzzle. (Ord. 3-11. Passed 2-24-11.)
(b) Vicious Dog; Leash and Muzzle. No person owning, harboring or having the care of a vicious dog may suffer or permit such dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless the dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four feet in length and secured by a harness type collar. No person may permit a vicious dog to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person age sixteen or older is in physical control of the leash. The dog may not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts and buildings. A vicious dog on a leash outside the dog's kennel shall be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent the dog from biting persons or other animals. A vicious dog shall not be required to be muzzled when shown in a sanctioned American Kennel Club Show.
(c) Confinement. All vicious dogs shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed and muzzled as provided in subsection (b) hereof. The pen, kennel or structure shall have secure sides and a secure top attached to all sides. A structure used to confine a vicious dog shall be locked with a key or combination lock when the dog is within the structure. The structure shall have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen or the sides of the pen must be embedded in the ground no less than two feet. Fence or sides must be six feet above ground. All structures erected to house vicious dogs shall comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City.
(d) Confinement Indoors. No vicious dog may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit the building on its volition. No vicious dog may be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the dog from exiting the structure.
(e) Prohibited in Multiple Dwellings. No vicious dog may be kept within any portion of any multiple dwelling.
(f) Signs. All owners, keepers or harborers of vicious dogs shall within fifteen days of the effective date of this section display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words “Beware of Dog”. A similar sign is required to be posted on the kennel or pen of the dog.
(g) Insurance. All owners, keepers or harborers of vicious dogs shall within thirty days of the effective date of this section provide proof to the Animal Warden of the City of public liability insurance in a single incident amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for bodily injury to or death of any person or for the damage to property owned by any person which may result from the ownership, keeping or maintenance of vicious dogs. The owner or custodian of the dog shall produce evidence of the required insurance upon request of a law enforcement officer. This subsection does not apply to dogs kept by law enforcement agencies.
(h) Penalty. Any person owning, keeping or harboring a vicious dog in violation of any provision of this section, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined three hundred dollars ($300.00). (Passed 9-13-91.)