City of Sikeston, MO Dangerous Dogs

No person shall permit a pit bull dog or any dangerous dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four (4) feet in length. No person shall permit such dogs 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, building, etc. In addition, a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals must muzzle all such dogs on a leash outside the animal's kennel.

Section 205.370 Confinement.

[R.O. 2009 § 6.40.020; Ord. No. 5527 §II, 1-6-2003]

All such dogs shall be securely confined indoors or in a secure enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed and muzzled as above provided. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to its sides. All structures used to confine such dogs must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure. Such structures must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen or the sides of the pen must be embedded in the ground no less than two (2) feet. All structures erected to house such 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.

Section 205.380 Confinement Indoors.

[R.O. 2009 § 6.40.030; Ord. No. 5527 §II, 1-6-2003]

No such dog may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such building on its own volition. In addition, no such animal may be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacles preventing the dog from exiting the structure.

Section 205.390 Signs.

[R.O. 2009 § 6.40.040; Ord. No. 5527 §II, 1-6-2003]

All owners, keepers or harborers of such dogs within the City shall within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the Article 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.

Section 205.400 Insurance.

[R.O. 2009 § 6.40.050; Ord. No. 5527 §II, 1-6-2003]

All owners, keepers or harborers of such dogs must within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Article provide proof to the Sikeston City Clerk or collector of homeowners' or renters' liability insurance. Such insurance policy shall provide that no cancellation of the policy will be made unless ten (10) days' written notice is first given to the Sikeston City Clerk or collector.

Section 205.410 Registration Requirements.

[R.O. 2009 § 6.40.060; Ord. No. 5527 §II, 1-6-2003]

All owners, keepers or harborers of pit bull dogs or dangerous dogs must within sixty (60) days of the effective date of this Article provide to the City Clerk or collector or designee two (2) color photographs of the said dog clearly showing the color and approximate size of the animal. Further, they shall register the dog with the City Clerk or collector or designee providing the name of the dog, the address where the dog shall be maintained and execute an acknowledgment of receipt of a copy of this Article.

Section 205.420 Reporting Requirements.

[R.O. 2009 § 6.40.070; Ord. No. 5527 §II, 1-6-2003]

All owners, keepers or harborers of pit bull dogs or dangerous dogs must within ten (10) days of the incident report the following information in writing to the Sikeston City Clerk or collector or designee as required hereinafter:

The removal from the City or death of such dog.

The birth of offspring of such dog.

The new address of pit bull dog or other dangerous dog, should the owner move within the corporate City limits.

Section 205.430 Irrefutable Presumptions.

[R.O. 2009 § 6.40.080; Ord. No. 5527 §II, 1-6-2003]

There shall be an irrefutable presumption that any dog registered with the City as a pit bull dog or dangerous dog is in fact subject to the requirements of this Section.

Section 205.440 Failure To Comply.

[R.O. 2009 § 6.40.090; Ord. No. 5527 §II, 1-6-2003]

It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper or harborer of a pit bull dog or dangerous dog as defined in Sections 205.450 and 205.460 to fail to register that dog with the City of Sikeston as required by this Article or for such an owner, keeper or harborer of such a dog to fail to comply with the requirements and conditions set forth in this Article. Any dog found to be the subject of a violation of this Article shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment.

Section 205.450 Pit Bull Dog — Defined.

[R.O. 2009 § 6.40.100; Ord. No. 5527 §II, 1-6-2003]

The Bull Terrier breed of dog.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog.

The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog.

The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog.

Dog of mixed breed or of other breeds than above listed which breed or mixed breed is known as pit bull, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers.

Any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominately of the breeds of Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, any other breed commonly know as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers or a combination of any of these breeds.

Section 205.460 Dangerous Dog — Defined.

[R.O. 2009 § 6.40.110; Ord. No. 5527 §II, 1-6-2003; Ord. No. 5551 §II, 8-4-2003]

Any dog which, according to the records of the appropriate authority, has inflicted severe injury (breaking of the skin) on a human being without provocation on public or private property; or

Any dog which, according to the records of the appropriate authority, has killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner's property; or

Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or any dog trained for dog fighting; or

Any dog, not owned by a governmental or law enforcement entity, used primarily to guard public or private property; or

Any dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise threaten the safety of human beings or domestic animals; or

Any dog which, when provoked, chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks or any public or private property in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack; or

Any dog which, on three (3) separate occasions within a twelve (12) month period, has been observed being unrestrained or uncontrolled off its owner's premises by animal control or has been impounded by appropriate authority for being unrestrained or uncontrolled off its owner's premises.

The Public Works Director or his/her designee shall review and make a determination to classify the animal as dangerous for each incident described above.

Section 205.470 Dangerous Dog — Exception.

[R.O. 2009 § 6.40.115]

Governmental Police dogs are the only exception.

Section 205.480 Violations and Penalties.

[R.O. 2009 § 6.40.120; Ord. No. 5527 §II, 1-6-2003]

Any person violating or permitting the violation of the provisions of this Article shall upon conviction in Municipal Court be fined as set forth in Section 100.230 "General Penalty" of this Code. In addition to the fine imposed, the court may sentence the defendant to imprisonment in jail for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. In addition, the court shall order the registration of the subject pit bull or dangerous dog revoked and the dog removed from the City. Should the defendant refuse to remove the dog from the City, the Municipal Court Judge shall find the defendant owner in contempt and order the immediate confiscation and impoundment of the animal. Each day that a violation of this Article continues shall be deemed a separate offense; in addition to the expenses, including shelter, food, handling, veterinary care and testimony necessitated by the enforcement of this Article, as stated in Section 205.190.