The keeping of an unlimited number of dogs and cats in the City for a considerable period of time detracts from and, in many instances, it detrimental to the healthful and comfortable life for which such areas were created. The keeping of an unlimited number of dogs and cats may therefore be declared a public nuisance.
No person who owns, keeps or possesses any dogs or cats shall fail to exercise proper care and control of such animals to prevent them from becoming a public nuisance. Excessive, continuous or untimely barking or crying, molesting passersby, chasing vehicles, habitually attacking other domestic animals, trespassing upon school grounds, or trespassing upon private property in such manner as to damage property and similar acts, shall be deemed a nuisance.
No person who owns, keeps or possesses any dogs or cats shall fail to provide such animals with sufficient good and wholesome food and water, proper shelter and protection from the weather, veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering, and with humane care and treatment. No person shall beat, cruelly illtreat, torment or otherwise abuse any dog or cat, or cause or permit any dogfight, or other combat between animals or between animals and humans. No person, for any such reason, shall crop a dog's ears except when a licensed veterinarian issues a signed certificate that the operation is necessary for the dog's health or comfort and in no event shall any person except a licensed veterinarian perform such an operation.
No person who owns, keeps or possesses any number of dogs or cats shall fail to maintain any enclosure or other place such animal is kept in a clean or sanitary condition. Further, such place must be free of any unwholesome or offensive substance, liquid or odor. Conditions which exist contrary to these requirements shall be deemed a public nuisance.
Upon receiving a signed complaint, the City Manager or his duly authorized representative, upon displaying proper identification may enter any building, structure or premises in the City during reasonable hours to determine if the keeping of any dogs or cats thereon constitutes a public nuisance. If any person refuses entrance to such City official during reasonable hours, such official may seek an order from the Circuit Court to permit such entry to the premises as may be necessary to ensure compliance with this section.
Any person found to be in violation of this section shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. This penalty is in lieu of those set forth in Section 507.99.
(Ord. 7369. Passed 9-8-81; Ord. 11285. Passed 7-1-97.)