[Amended 11-17-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-05]
No person shall own, harbor or keep any dog, cat or other animal
in a domesticated environment which does any of the following:
A. Is vicious. A showing that a dog or other animal has bitten, attacked
or injured any person shall constitute a prima facie showing that
such dog or animal is vicious. A dog or other animal is deemed to
be vicious when it has attacked or bitten any person when a propensity
to attack or bite persons exist or is known or reasonably should be
known to the owner. Any vicious dog or animal which is found off the
premises of its owner may be seized by any police officer and, upon
establishing the vicious character of such dog or animal, may be destroyed.
Notwithstanding the above, a police officer may kill or tranquilize
a vicious dog or animal if he determines that it is necessary to take
such action in order to prevent real and immediate personal injury
to any person, including himself.
The terms used in this article are defined as follows:
PIT BULL DOG
A.
The pit bull terrier breed of dog.
B.
The Staffordshire bull terrier breed of dog.
C.
The American pit bull terrier breed of dog.
D.
The American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog.
E.
Dogs of mixed breed or of other breeds listed herein whose breed
or mixed breed is commonly known as pit bull, pit bull dog or pit
bull terrier.
VICIOUS DOG OR OTHER ANIMAL
A.
Any dog or other animal with a propensity, tendency or disposition
to attack, cause injury or otherwise endanger the safety of human
beings or other domestic animals as evidenced by its habitual or repeated
chasing or snapping, barking and/or snarling in a threatening manner.
B.
Any dog or other animal which attacks a human being or other
domestic animal without provocation.
C.
Any dog or other animal owned or harbored primarily or in part
for the purpose of fighting, or any dog trained for dog fighting.
Use of devices such as pit falls, snares or machines that shut
suddenly, as with a spring, for taking game and other animals shall
be prohibited within the City. The exception to this provision shall
be the use of live traps for capturing dangerous or offensive animals.
Except as otherwise provided in this article, any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall be subject to a penalty as provided in §
1-4 of this Municipal Code.