[Ord. No. 792 §5-10, 10-16-1995]
A.
There
is hereby established the office of Animal Control Officer, and the
Mayor, with the advice of the Chief of Police, shall appoint some
suitable person, a resident of the City, to fill the office. The Animal
Control Officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and the Council.
He/she shall be supervised by and be under the control of the Chief
of Police. The duties of the Animal Control Officer shall include:
1.
The enforcement of the provisions of this Chapter and any other State,
County or City ordinance or law pertaining to the control of animals
as they apply within the limits of the City of Caruthersville.
2.
The impoundment, transportation and confinement of any animal, whether
on view or as the result of a complaint, in violation of the provisions
of this or any other applicable law or ordinance.
3.
The impoundment and quarantine of any animal believed to have bitten
or scratched someone, or exhibiting the symptoms of rabies, for a
period of ten (10) days from the date of the bite or scratch. This
impoundment shall be at the animal owner's expense in the City Animal
Shelter or at a veterinary clinic. However, the offending animal may
be impounded/quarantined at the animal owner's residence if all of
the following conditions are met:
a.
The offending animal has a valid rabies vaccination.
b.
The animal is not considered, by the Chief of Police or Animal Control
Officer to be a dangerous/fierce animal.
c.
The animal owner and victim (victim's family if victim is a minor)
both agree to the quarantine at the owner's home or business.
d.
The animal owner agrees to the following guidelines:
(1)
Animal is not allowed outdoors off-leash.
(2)
Animal is allowed no contact with visitors or other animals.
(3)
Animal must reside indoors for the duration of the quarantine
observation.
(4)
The Animal Control Officer or other designated Police Official
shall have twenty-four (24) hour access to the animal to check on
its condition.
(5)
If the owner fails to follow these guidelines, the Animal Control
officer shall impound the animal at the designated facility for the
remainder of the observation period.
(6)
If an animal dies while under quarantine during the ten (10)
days of impoundment, regardless of location or cause of death, the
Animal Control Officer shall be notified and cause the head to be
removed by a veterinarian and submitted for rabies testing. The owner
will be responsible for all costs involved.
4.
The destruction of any animal in violation of this or any other applicable
law or ordinance, when such animal cannot be safely impounded, exhibits
the symptoms of rabies, or is deemed by the Animal Control Officer
or on-duty Police Shift Leader to be a dangerous/fierce animal, or
is injured to such an extent that in the opinion of the Animal Control
Officer or on-duty Police Shift Leader such destruction would be merciful.
Such destruction shall be humanely performed and may be carried out
by an on-duty Police Officer or the Animal Control Officer.
5.
The issuance of a "Notice to Abate Nuisance Within Ten Days" to the
owner or tenant of any household or business establishment where reasonable
suspicion exists that a public nuisance is being kept, maintained
or controlled. Such a notice may be issued in person, by U.S. Mail
to the property owner, tenant or agent, or by posting on the premises.
6.
The impoundment, if facilities for such impoundment are available,
of any and all animals continuing as a public nuisance upon expiration
of the ten (10) day notice period; and transportation of the animal
to the City Animal Shelter.
7.
The removal at the owner's request of any unwanted animal from any
City resident and transportation of the animal to the City Animal
Shelter for disposal.
8.
Maintaining and operating the City Animal Shelter by keeping and
maintaining the animals, and all structures, pens, runs, or yards
in which the animals are kept, in such a manner as to prevent a nuisance
or health hazard to humans and to avoid injury to the animals. All
cages and holding areas must be properly sanitized so as to keep the
animals enclosed therein free of disease. No wooden cages, painted
or unpainted shall be allowed. All such caged animals shall be provided
with a constant supply of wholesome food and water, or in lieu of
this, the Animal Control Officer shall prominently and publicly post
and shall follow a schedule for adequate care of the animals, appropriate
for their species, age and general health. All disease infested animals
shall be removed and treated to prevent the spread of disease or,
euthanized if required.
[Ord. No. 792 §5-11, 10-16-1995]
The City of Caruthersville Animal Shelter shall be utilized as the facility for the impoundment of animals as provided herein. Animals may be redeemed from the such shelter pursuant to the provisions of Section 210.120 hereof.
[Ord. No. 792 §5-12, 10-16-1995]
Every animal impounded under the provisions of this Article
may be redeemed by the owner of the animal upon his/her demonstrating
proof of ownership by display of a City license tag or otherwise,
and payment to the City Collector of a fee of ten dollars ($10.00)
for the first (1st) impoundment, twenty dollars ($20.00) for the second
(2nd) impoundment, and thirty dollars ($30.00) for the third (3rd)
and subsequent impoundments. Additionally, all expenses incurred by
the City Animal Shelter for taking care of the animal and for complying
with the provisions of this Article must be paid to the Animal Shelter.
Any animal not redeemed after a period of seven (7) full days, or
such other period of time prescribed by this Chapter, shall be humanely
disposed of or released to the Caruthersville Humane Society for adoption,
provided however, that no animal shall be allowed to be adopted by
any individual or entity who intends to use such animal for scientific
or other experimentation.
[Ord. No. 792 §5-13, 10-16-1995]
A.
Any person in violation of any provision of Sections 210.010 to 210.120 of this Chapter is guilty of an infraction and upon conviction thereof shall:
1.
Be fined a minimum of fifty dollars ($50.00) for a first (1st) offense,
one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a second (2nd) offense, and one
hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for a third (3rd) and subsequent offenses.
Each animal and each day of a violation shall constitute a separate
offense.
2.
Be fined up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) if the conviction involves
failure to comply with a "Notice to Abate Nuisance Within Ten Days"
for each day of violation as well as all expenses of abatement.
