(a) For the purpose of this chapter, "at large" shall mean off the premises of the owner and not under restraint by leash, cord, wire, strap, chain or similar device.
(b) No person, being the owner or in charge or control of any animal, shall permit such animal to run at large within the limits of the Municipality, except as provided in subsection (d) hereof. Unauthorized entry by such animal upon any premises or upon any public street or ground shall constitute running at large within the meaning of this subsection.
(c) No person, being the owner or in charge or control of any animal, shall permit such animal to go or remain upon any public street, City park or ground within the limits of this Municipality, except when accompanied by a responsible person and upon a leash, and with reasonable restraint, and under control. "Reasonable restraint and under control" means restraint which conforms to the animal's weight, size and strength, which animal is to be controlled by a person who is of suitable age, size and strength to control the animal.
The length of a leash shall be no longer than that which is reasonably necessary to maintain control of a pet and to prevent the pet from trespassing on private property, or from chasing or attacking any person, animal or vehicle. With respect to the owner or person in charge or control of animal, evidence that such animal was found at large upon any public street or place within the City shall be prima-facie evidence of a violation of this section, punishable under Section 505.99.
While on private property, it shall be unlawful to allow any dog, cat or other animal, outdoors on private property unless the animal is leashed or contained by a fence or under the control of a responsible individual. It shall be unlawful for any owner to allow his or her animal to cross outside the property line of its owner to any extent, including reaching over, under or through a fence. Any method of pet containment is not considered valid during a period of time when failure or lack of maintenance renders it non-effective. Visible signage evidencing electronic pet containment system must be posted.
(d) The provisions of subsections (b) and (c) hereof shall not prevent a person from running a dog, during the season when such running is lawful, upon vacant property and public streets and grounds adjacent thereto, not less than 500 feet from any lot or parcel improved with a dwelling.
(e) Every owner and person in charge or control of a female animal shall, during all times when such female animal is in heat, either remove and keep her out of this Municipality or confine or treat her in such manner as not to attract other animals.
(f) No person shall keep or harbor within this Municipality any animal which, by biting, or in any other way or manner, injures, disturbs, destroys or damages any other person's lawn, tree, shrub, plant, building or other property.
(g) Not more than two animals, may be kept in any single-family dwelling, or in any separate suite in any two-family dwelling, multiple-family dwelling or apartment within this Municipality. "Dwelling" and "suite" as used in this section include the lot or parcel of land on which the house or building containing the suite is located, and also all outbuildings located on such lot or parcel. In the case of a new litter, the owner may keep the litter intact for up to six weeks in any dwelling heretofore mentioned in this section.
(Ord. 2024-007. Passed 1-16-24.)