[1]
State Law Reference: For similar provisions as to dogs, see § 273.010, et seq., RSMo.; for authority, see § 77.510, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 205.140; Ord. No. 3509 § 1, 4-15-1968; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
For the purposes of this Article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Section:
AT LARGE
Any dog shall be deemed to be at large when it is off the premises of its owner and not restrained by a competent person.
DOG
Any canine animal, male or female, sexed or neutered.
OWN
Keep, harbor or have control, charge or custody of a dog. This term shall not apply to dogs owned by others which are temporarily maintained on the premises of a veterinarian or kennel operator for a period of less than thirty (30) days.
OWNER
Any person keeping, harboring or having charge or control of, or permitting any dog to habitually be or remain on, or be lodged or fed within, such person's house, yard or premises. This term shall not apply to veterinarians or kennel operators temporarily maintaining on their premises dogs owned by others for a period of less than thirty (30) days.
RESTRAINED
Dog controlled by a leash, not more than six (6) feet in length, when the leash is held by a competent person or within a vehicle being driven or parked on the streets.
VACCINATION AGAINST RABIES
The inoculation of a dog with rabies vaccine licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Such vaccination shall be performed by a veterinarian duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State.
[R.O. 1992 § 205.150; Ord. No. 3509 §§ 2, 5, 4-15-1968]
A. 
Every dog four (4) months of age and older shall be vaccinated against rabies. Young dogs shall be vaccinated within thirty (30) days after they have reached four (4) months of age. Unvaccinated dogs acquired or moved into the City shall be vaccinated within thirty (30) days after purchase or arrival, unless under four (4) months of age, as specified above.
B. 
Every dog shall be revaccinated every one (1) or three (3) years as necessary based on the type of rabies vaccination received.
C. 
The provisions of this Section with respect to vaccination shall not apply to any dog owned by a person temporarily remaining within the City for less than thirty (30) days or any dog brought into the City for field trial or show purposes, nor for hunting dogs in the State for less than thirty (30) days. Such dogs shall be kept under strict supervision of the owner. However, it shall be unlawful to bring any dog into the City which does not comply with the animal health laws and import regulations of the State, which are applicable to dogs.
[R.O. 1992 § 205.160; Ord. No. 3509 § 3, 4-15-1968]
A. 
It shall be the duty of each veterinarian, at time of vaccinating any dog, to complete a certificate of rabies vaccination, in quadruplicate, which includes the following information:
1. 
Owner's name and address.
2. 
Description of dog; breed, sex, markings, age and name.
3. 
Date of vaccination.
4. 
Rabies vaccination tag number.
5. 
Type of rabies vaccine administered.
B. 
Distribution Of Copies Of Certificate Shall Be As Follows. The original forwarded to the owner; first and second copy to the City Clerk; and the third copy retained by the issuing veterinarian. The veterinarian and the owner shall retain their copies for the interval between vaccinations specified in Section 205.150. A metal or durable plastic tag, serially numbered issued by the veterinarian, shall be securely attached to the collar or harness of the dog. Whenever the dog is out of doors, whether on or off the owner's premises, the collar or harness with the vaccination tag shall be worn.
[R.O. 1992 § 205.170; Ord. No. 3509 § 4, 4-15-1968]
The cost of rabies vaccination shall be borne by the owner of the dog.
[R.O. 1992 § 205.180; Ord. No. 3509 § 6, 4-15-1968; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
A. 
Any dog or other animal suspected of being afflicted with rabies, or any dog not vaccinated in accordance with Section 205.150, which has bitten any person and caused an abrasion of the skin of such person, shall be seized and impounded under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian for a period of not less than ten (10) days. If, upon the examination by a veterinarian, the dog has no signs of rabies at the end of the impoundment, it may be released to the owner or, in case of a stray, it shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable laws.
B. 
Any dog vaccinated in accordance with Section 205.150, or other animal which has bitten any person shall be confined by the owner or other responsible person as required by the Mayor for a period of ten (10) days, at which time the dog or other animal shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian. If no signs of rabies are observed by the veterinarian, the dog may be released from confinement.
C. 
All cost associated with impoundment shall be the responsibility of the owner.
[R.O. 1992 § 205.190; Ord. No. 3509 § 7, 4-15-1968; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
A. 
In the case of dogs known to have been bitten by a rabid animal, the following rules shall apply:
1. 
Unvaccinated Dogs.
a. 
In the case of dogs which are not vaccinated in accordance with Section 205.150 and which have been bitten by a known rabid animal, the bitten or exposed dog should be immediately destroyed.
b. 
If the owner is unwilling to destroy the bitten or exposed animal, strict isolation of the animal in a kennel under veterinary supervision for a minimum of six (6) months shall be enforced and have said dog immunized against rabies at the owner's or custodian's expense, by the administration of anti-rabic virus by a licensed veterinarian.
2. 
Vaccinated Dog. If the bitten or exposed dog is vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of Section 205.150, the dog shall be handled as follows:
a. 
Immediately revaccinated and confined for a period of thirty (30) days following revaccination.
b. 
If the dog is not immediately revaccinated, the dog shall be confined in strict isolation in a kennel for six (6) months under the supervision of a veterinarian.
c. 
The dog shall be destroyed if the owner does not comply with Subsection (A)(2)(a) or (b).
3. 
All cost associated with impoundment and/or disposal of the animal shall be the responsibility of the owner.
[R.O. 1992 § 205.200; Ord. No. 3509 § 8, 4-15-1968; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992; Ord. No. 8018 §§ 1—3, 10-7-1996]
A. 
The City Council may authorize a pound or enforcement officer to enter into a cooperative agreement with a licensed veterinarian for the establishment and operation of a pound, or may enter into a cooperative agreement with the Franklin County Humane Society for the impoundment of dogs.
B. 
Any dog found off the owner's premises shall be impounded. All impounded dogs shall be given proper care and maintenance. Each impounded dog shall be kept and maintained at the pound for a minimum of one (1) week unless reclaimed earlier by the owner.
C. 
Notice of impoundment of all animals, including any significant marks of identification shall be posted at the Franklin County Humane society as public notification of impoundment. Any unvaccinated dog may be reclaimed by its owner during the period of impoundment by payment of prescribed pound fees and complying with rabies vaccination requirement of this Article within seventy-two (72) hours of release. Any vaccinated dog impounded because of lack of a rabies vaccination tag may be reclaimed by its owner by furnishing proof of rabies vaccination and payment of all impoundment fees prior to release.
D. 
At the expiration of impoundment, a dog may be claimed by payment of established pound fees and by compliance with the rabies vaccination requirement of this Article within seventy-two (72) hours of release. If the dog is unclaimed at the end of one (1) week, the City may dispose of the dog in accordance with applicable laws or rules and regulations.
E. 
Any dog owner shall be notified, if possible, before the dog may be destroyed.
[R.O. 1992 § 205.210; Ord. No. 3509 § 10, 4-15-1968; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992; Ord. No. 8018 § 4, 10-7-1996; Ord. No. 10-10724 § 1, 7-6-2010]
Impoundment fees shall be borne by the owner. Upon impoundment the fee shall be thirty dollars ($30.00) and for each day the dog is impounded thereafter, the additional fee of ten dollars ($10.00) shall be charged.
[R.O. 1992 § 205.220; Ord. No. 3509 § 12, 4-15-1968; Ord. No. 3622]
No person shall allow any dog owned or in his/her possession to be at large as provided in this Article unless properly restrained and any dog found at large may be impounded and its owner or keeper subject to prosecution under the terms of this Code.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also § 205.010, Animals Running At Large.
[R.O. 1992 § 205.225; Ord. No. 03-9480 §§ 1—2, 12-1-2003; Ord. No. 12-10977 § 1, 4-2-2012]
A. 
Classification. The Chief of Police or his/her designated representative shall classify any animal with the following characteristics as a "dangerous animal" for purposes of this Section and Section 205.228 of this Code:
1. 
Any animal which has inflicted a severe or fatal injury on a human being on public or private property. "Severe injury" means any physical injury resulting directly from an animal's bite, which results in broken bones or lacerations requiring stitches, or hospitalization. The victim receiving severe injuries, as defined above, must provide the Chief of Police or his/her designated representative with a signed physician's statement documenting the injury and the treatment qualifying such as a severe injury.
2. 
Any animal which has attacked or bitten a human being or domestic animal, without provocation, on public or private property other than the property of the owner.
3. 
Any animal which, while on the owner's property, has attacked or bitten, without provocation, a human being other than the owner or a member of the owner's family who normally resides at the place where the animal is kept, or a domestic animal.
4. 
Any animal which, while off the owner's property, has killed a domestic animal, livestock, or poultry without provocation.
5. 
Any animal owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of fighting or any animal trained for fighting.
6. 
Any animal which, when unprovoked, chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds, or private property other than that property of the owner in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, regardless of whether or not a person is injured by said animal.
7. 
Any animal 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.
B. 
Notice. Within five (5) working days after classifying an animal as a "dangerous animal," the City Clerk or his/her designated representative shall notify the animal's owner of such classification, in writing. The notice shall identify the requirements and conditions for maintaining a dangerous animal as set forth in this Section and Section 205.228. If the owner cannot be located, the animal may be immediately impounded and notice shall be posted at the owner's last known address.
C. 
Appeal And Hearing. If the owner disputes the classification of the animal as a "dangerous animal" under any of the definitions listed in Subsection (A) of this Section, then the owner has the option of submitting, within five (5) working days of notice of said classification, a written request to the City Clerk or his/her designated representative for a hearing to contest the "dangerous animal" classification.
1. 
The City Administrator shall, within ten (10) working days after receipt of a bona fide written request, designate a hearing officer to conduct the hearing and render a decision.
2. 
Pending the outcome of such a hearing, the animal must be confined in such a manner so as not to be a threat to any person. The confinement may be on the owner's premises or with a licensed veterinarian.
3. 
The hearing officer shall determine whether to declare the animal to be a "dangerous animal" based upon evidence and testimony presented at the time of the hearing, in addition to witnesses, animal control personnel, Police or any other person possessing information pertinent to such determination. The hearing shall be informal and strict rules of evidence shall not apply. The owner may be represented by counsel, present oral and written evidence, and cross-examine witnesses.
4. 
The hearing officer shall issue a decision after the close of the hearing and notify the owner in writing of the decision. The owner or possessor of the animal found to be a "dangerous animal" shall be required to maintain the animal as herein provided in this Code.
D. 
Exemptions To Dangerous Animal Classification.
1. 
No animal may be declared a "dangerous animal" if the threat, injury or damage was sustained by a person who, at the time, was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises occupied by the owner or keeper of the animal, or was teasing, tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the animal, or has, in the past, been observed or reported to have teased, tormented, abused or assaulted the animal or was committing or attempting to commit a crime.
2. 
The Chief of Police or his/her designated representative may, because of extenuating circumstances, determine from the investigation of an incident that an animal is not dangerous. However, the owner, being responsible for said animal, shall be warned of the animal's tendencies and shall take appropriate action to prevent subsequent incidences. This, however, does not exempt the owner from being cited for other animal control ordinance violations.
3. 
Animals owned by governmental or Law Enforcement Agencies when being used in the services of those agencies are exempt.
4. 
Actions to be taken for dangerous animals causing severe or fatal injuries.
a. 
An animal responsible for an unprovoked severe or fatal attack shall be humanely destroyed.
b. 
An animal responsible for a provoked severe or fatal attack should be maintained as a dangerous animal pursuant to Section 205.228 of this Code.
[R.O. 1992 § 205.228; Ord. No. 12-10977 § 2, 4-2-2012]
A. 
From and after June 1, 2012, owners or keepers of an animal that has been declared a dangerous animal may maintain the dangerous animal only subject to the following limitations, requirements and conditions:
1. 
Registration. Within ten (10) days of June 1, 2012, or the acquisition of a dangerous animal, every owner or keeper of a dangerous animal in the City shall register said animal with the City Clerk of the City on the "dangerous animal" registry. Failure to so register shall constitute a violation of this Section.
2. 
Rabies Quarantine Impoundment. Any dangerous animal which bites or scratches a human, or any animal which is determined to be dangerous because of such biting or scratching of a human, shall be impounded for a ten (10) day rabies quarantine in accordance with the provisions of Section 205.180 of this Code.
3. 
Collar. Any dangerous animal shall wear at all times a bright orange collar with a large brightly colored metal tag attached to the collar so the animal can readily be identified as a dangerous animal.
4. 
Loose, Unconfined Or Missing Dangerous Animal. The owner or keeper shall notify the Police Department immediately if a dangerous animal is loose, unconfined or missing, has attacked another animal or has attacked a human being.
5. 
Reporting Requirements. The owner or keeper shall notify the City Clerk within twenty-four (24) hours:
a. 
Death Or Transfer Of Ownership. If a dangerous animal has died or has been sold or given away, or otherwise transferred in ownership or possession. If the animal has been sold, given away, or otherwise transferred in ownership or possession, the owner or keeper shall provide the City Clerk with the name, address and telephone number of the new owner or keeper, and, if the dog is kept within the City limits of Washington, the new owner or keeper must comply with the requirements of this Section.
b. 
Birth. All offspring born of dangerous animals within the City must be removed from the City within three (3) months of their birth.
c. 
New Address. Of the new address of a dangerous animal owner or keeper should the owner or keeper move from one address within the corporate City limits to another address within the corporate City limits.
6. 
Confinement.
a. 
All dangerous animals must be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen, kennel or other structure, except when leashed and muzzled as provided herein. The pen, kennel or other structure must be suitable to prevent the entry of young children and designed to prevent the animal from escaping. Such pen, kennel or other structure must have minimum dimensions of five (5) feet by ten (10) feet and must have secure sides and secure top attached to all sides. The pen, kennel, or other structure must be locked with a key or combination lock when dangerous animals are confined within. The pen, kennel, or other structure must have a secured bottom or floor attached to all sides; however, if it has no bottom secured to the sides, the sides must be embedded in the ground no less than twelve (12) inches. The enclosure must also provide protection from the elements for the animal.
b. 
The enclosure, when occupied by a dangerous animal, shall not be occupied by any other animal. If the dangerous animal is a female with offspring under three (3) months of age, the offspring may occupy the same enclosure as the mother.
c. 
All structures erected to house dangerous animals must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City. All such structures must be adequately lifted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
d. 
No dangerous animal may be kept on a porch, patio, or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the animal 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 obstacle preventing the animal from exiting the structure.
7. 
Signs. The owner or keeper shall display a sign on his/her premises that there is a dangerous animal on the property and which bears a symbol warning children of the presence of a dangerous animal. This sign shall be visible and capable of being read from the public street or thoroughfare from which the property is entered. In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on the kennel or pen or fenced yard of such animal.
8. 
Leash And Muzzle. A dangerous animal may be off the owner's premises if it is muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length and under the control of a responsible person. The muzzle must not cause injury to the animal or interfere with its vision or respiration but must prevent it from biting any person or animal.
9. 
Insurance. The owner or keeper of a dangerous animal shall present to the City Clerk proof that the owner or keeper has procured liability insurance in a single incident amount of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for bodily injury to or death of any person or persons or for damage to property owned by any persons which may result from the ownership, keeping or maintenance of such animal covering the twelve (12) month period during which licensing is sought. An effective insurance policy with the coverage and in the amounts specified herein must be maintained by the owner or keeper at all times. This policy shall contain a provision requiring the City of Washington receive ten (10) days' written notice by the insurance company prior to any cancellation, termination, or expiration of the policy.
10. 
Photographs. All owners or keepers of dangerous animals must, within ten (10) days of such classification, provide the Police Department with two (2) color photographs [one (1) showing the left profile and the other showing the right profile] of the animal, clearly showing the color, distinguishing markings, and approximate size of the animal.
11. 
Compliance, Violations And Penalties.
a. 
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of a dangerous animal within the City of Washington to fail to comply with requirements and conditions set forth in this Section. Any animal found to be in violation of this Section may be, in addition to other penalties provided by the Code of the City of Washington, subject to immediate seizure and impoundment for a minimum of ten (10) days or the time necessary for the owner or keeper to show compliance with this Section, whichever is shorter.
b. 
Any person found guilty of violation any provision of this Section shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment for a period of not exceeding ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. In addition to any penalty as provided above, the court shall order the registration of the subject dangerous animal revoked and the animal removed from the City. Should the owner refuse to remove the animal from the City, the court may find the owner in contempt and order the immediate confiscation and impoundment of the animal. Each day that a violation of this Section continues shall be deemed a separate offense. In addition to the foregoing penalties, any person who violates this Section shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, handling, veterinary care and testimony necessitated by the enforcement of this Section.