(A) For the purposes of this section a dangerous or vicious animal shall be defined to be any one of the following:
(1) Any animal with a propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack, to cause injury to, or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or other domestic animals without provocation; or
(2) Any animal which attacks a human being or other domestic animal one or more times without provocation whether or not such attack occurs on the premises of the animal's owner; or
(3) An animal owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of animal fighting or an animal trained for animal fighting.
(B) No person owning or harboring or having the care or the custody of a dangerous animal may permit the animal to go unconfined on his premises. A dangerous animal is unconfined as the term is used in this section if the animal is not securely confined indoors or confined in a securely enclosed and locked pen or run area upon the person's premises. The pen or run area also must have either: 1) sides six feet high, or 2) a secure top. If the pen or structure has no bottom secured to the sides, the sides must be imbedded into the ground at a depth of no less than one foot. However, the provisions of this section shall not apply to any animal that is owned by a licensed security company and is on patrol in a confined area.
(C) Any animal that has been determined to be a dangerous or vicious animal may be impounded by Winnsboro Animal Control. Such animals shall not be euthanized unless (1) the owner has surrendered the animal to the Animal Shelter and has completed and signed a surrender form, (2) until a hearing is held before an appropriate magistrate and the magistrate has determined that the animal should be euthanized, or (3) at the discretion of the Animal Control Officer at the scene. However, if the magistrate has determined that the owner may redeem the animal, the Winnsboro Animal Control shall release the animal upon receipt of all redemption fees as described in § 90.17 below. If the owner does not pay the redemption fees within five days of the magistrate's order, the animal shall become the property of the Animal Shelter and may be euthanized or otherwise provided for as determined in the sole discretion of Animal Control.
(Ord. 63, passed 11-15-2022)