The following standards shall apply to the keeping of vicious dogs within the city limits, whether such dog is at the time of the effective date of this chapter within the city limits or so at a future date:
(A) Registration requirements. Within 30 days from the date any vicious dog is born within or brought into the city, the owner of said vicious dog shall register same with the Animal Control Department on such registration forms as may be prepared by the Animal Control Department.
(B) Leash and muzzle. No person shall permit a vicious dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four feet in length. No person shall permit a vicious dog to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless
a person is in physical control of the leash. Such dogs may not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings, etc. In addition, all vicious dogs on a leash outside the animal's kennel or pen must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals.
(C) Confinement. All registered vicious dogs shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel or structure which must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. All structures used to confine registered vicious dogs must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure. Such structure must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen or the sides of the pen must be imbedded in the ground not less than two feet. All structures erected to house vicious dogs must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the city. All such structures must be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(D) Confinement indoors. No vicious dog may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of 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) Signs. All owners, keepers or harborer of registered vicious dogs within the city shall display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words “Beware of Dog.” In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on the kennel or pen of such animal.
(F) Insurance. All owners, keepers or harborer of registered vicious dogs must provide proof to the City Clerk-Treasurer of public liability insurance in a single incident amount of $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of any persons which may result from the ownership, keeping or maintenance of such animal. Such insurance policy shall provide that no cancellation of the policy will be made unless ten days written notice is first given to the City Clerk-Treasurer.
(G) Identification photographs. All owners, keepers or harborer of registered vicious dogs must provide to the City Clerk-Treasurer two color photographs of the registered animal clearly showing the color and approximate size of the animal.
(H) Reporting requirement. All owners, keepers or harborer of registered vicious dogs must, within ten days of the incidents below, report the following information in writing to the City Clerk-Treasurer as required hereinafter.
(1) The removal from the city or death of a registered vicious dog.
(2) The birth of offspring of a registered vicious dog.
(3) The new address of a registered vicious dog owner should the owner move within the city limits.
(I) Sale or transfer of ownership prohibited. No person shall sell, barter, or in any other way dispose of a vicious dog registered with the city to any person within the city unless the recipient person first complies with registration and other requirements herein.
(J) Rebuttable presumption There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any dog registered with the city as a vicious dog is in fact a dog subject to the requirements of this section.
(K) Failure to comply. It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper or harborer of a vicious dog registered with the city to fail to comply with the requirements and conditions set forth in this chapter. Any dog found to be the subject of a violation of this chapter shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment. In addition, failure to comply will result in the revocation of the registration of such animal, resulting in the immediate removal of the animal from the city.
(Ord. 210, passed 2-8-93) Penalty, see § 90.99