A. It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, harbors or possesses any dog to fail to control such dog as required by the provisions of this section.
B. Every person who owns, possesses or harbors any dog within the city shall control the dog while on property owned or controlled by him or her. Control may be accomplished by confinement by means of a substantial fence or similar enclosure of sufficient strength and height to prevent the dog from escaping therefrom, or from extending its head through the enclosure so as to constitute a threat to any person or animal in the area adjoining the enclosure; or by keeping the dog inside a house or other building. Dogs not confined in this manner must be controlled by the owner. Control may be accomplished by means of strict and immediate obedience by the dog to the owner's commands. Control may also be accomplished by tether or leash which shall consist of a metal chain or other material of sufficient strength to prevent the dog from escaping from the property. If the tether or leash is not under the direct physical control of the individual who owns, possesses or harbors the dog, then it shall be long enough to permit the dog to have reasonable exercise, but shall not allow the dog access to public property or to sidewalks or rights of way or to property owned or leased by persons other than the owner of the animal. Owners choosing to exert control by means of strict obedience of the dog to the owner's commands must be present and in the immediate vicinity of the dog and shall be deemed to have violated this provision if the dog fails to obey the owner's command and runs at large on the property in defiance of the owner's commands.
C. Any person who violates this provision shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) plus court costs. (Ord. 1129, 2012)