The owner of a dog declared dangerous or potentially dangerous shall immediately confine the dog as provided in this section and within 21 calendar days of the declaration or final decision of the Potential Dangerous Dog Appeals Board, by providing:
(A) Such dog shall be kept, secured, and restrained while on the real property of the person owning, keeping, or harboring it only in the following ways:
(1) In a building with doors, windows, and other exits securely fastened shut under the supervision and control of a responsible adult person capable of such supervision and control;
(2) Securely kept in a locked enclosure which has secure side, top, and bottom and is constructed out of materials and in a manner that will preclude escape by the dog and prevent entry by small children. An underground electric fence is not a sufficient method of enclosure;
(3) It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog to permit the dog to be outside the enclosure/confinement unless the dog is muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not more than nine feet in length and under physical restraint of a competent and responsible person, at least 18 years of age. The muzzle shall be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration but shall prevent it from biting any person or animal;
(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a dangerous dog shall not be left unattended on the owner’s real property unless the dog is confined indoors, in a securely enclosed and locked pen, or in a locked enclosure which has secure sides, top, and bottom and is constructed out of material and in a manner, which will preclude escape by the dog and prevent entry by small children; and
(5) At least one plainly visible sign posted upon each side of the secure enclosure warning that a dangerous dog is on the premises. Such signage shall be no smaller than one foot by two feet or two square feet in area and said sign shall read; “Warning! Dangerous Dog on Premises” in letters and height legible to a person of ordinary vision from 20 feet. In addition, the owner shall post at least one plainly visible sign displayed upon each side of the secure enclosure no smaller than one foot by two feet or two square feet in area with graphic representation of an appropriate animal such that the dangerousness of the animal is communicated to those who cannot read, including young children.
(B) Evidence of a current policy of liability insurance, held in the name of the dangerous or potentially dangerous dog’s owner/keeper, in the amount of at least $100,000, at the owner’s expense, for the benefit of any person who suffers damages, injury, or death caused by a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog for as long as the dog remains in the county and that the insurer shall immediately notify the county’s Animal Control Department of any changes in the insurance coverage or policy;
(C) At least one photograph, acceptable to the county’s Animal Control Department, of the dog declared as dangerous or potentially dangerous;
(D) A functional and registered microchip implanted into the dog declared as dangerous or potentially dangerous, the current and active microchip registration number filed with the county’s Animal Control Department;
(E) The dog’s owner or keeper shall have the duty to immediately notify the Animal Control Department and Sheriff’s Department if the dog escapes or is otherwise not in confinement;
(F) The owner or keeper shall be strictly liable in civil damages for any injuries or property damage caused or inflicted by the dangerous or potentially dangerous dog;
(H) The county’s Animal Control Department shall have the authority to summarily seize and impound the dog if the owner or keeper fails to comply with any provisions of this section; and
(I) The owner must allow officers of the Animal Control Department to make whatever inquiries deemed necessary to assure compliance with these provisions including inspection of the owner’s premises where the dangerous or potentially dangerous dog is confined.
(Ord. passed 6-2-2018) Penalty, see § 90.999