[1]
Cross References — Health and sanitation, ch. 230; see also, §215.050.
[CC 1991 §5-16; Ord. No. 112 §2, 3-16-1955]
The purpose of this Article is to regulate and control the possession and ownership of dogs in the City to the end that the public health and safety of the people of the City will be protected from the diseases of dogs, particularly rabies, and owners of healthy dogs will be enabled to enjoy more fully the benefits to be derived therefrom. It is not the purpose of this Article to regulate and control dogs which commit acts of a purely nuisance nature, it being expressly understood that such acts shall be subject to the control and regulation of the nuisance ordinances. The inoculating, licensing, impounding and other provisions of this Article are for the express purpose of controlling the incidence of rabies in humans, dogs and other animals in the City.
[CC 1991 §5-17; Ord. No. 112 §11, 3-16-1955]
The Police Department shall be responsible for the administration of this Article and shall have and possess all the power necessary for the effective administration and enforcement thereof. The Board is hereby authorized to cooperate and contract with the County for the common service of rabies control. All such contracts shall be approved by the Police Department and the Board of Aldermen.
[CC 1991 §5-18; Ord. No. 112 §3, 3-16-1955]
Every resident person who owns, controls, manages, possesses or has part interest in any dog kept any time during the year or who permits a dog to come upon, on or in, and to remain in or about his/her home, place of business or other premises in the City shall have such dog inoculated against rabies at least once each year, provided that such inoculation requirement shall not apply to dogs less than six (6) months of age.
[CC 1991 §5-19; Ord. No. 112 §4, 3-16-1955]
Every resident person who owns, controls, manages, possesses or has part interest in any dog is hereby required to securely attach to every such dog a plate or tag of some suitable material containing such resident's name and address and to securely attach to the dog a plate or tag indicating that the dog has been inoculated against rabies during that year.
[CC 1991 §5-21; Ord. No. 112 §6, 3-16-1955]
A. 
The Police Department shall have the power to catch, confine and impound dogs and other animals as follows:
1. 
All dogs which are required to have name tags and inoculating tags and which are without such name tags and inoculating tags displayed in the manner provided in Section 215.170;
2. 
All female dogs, properly tagged or not, not securely confined in an enclosed place, such dogs being in heat;
3. 
All dogs or other animals affected with rabies and all dogs and other animals suspected by the Board or other designated person to be exposed to or affected with rabies including dogs or other animals known to have been bitten by a rabid animal, whether such dog or other animal is running at large or on a leash and whether it is tagged or not; and
4. 
All dogs with vicious propensities.
B. 
Dogs or other animals impounded in accordance with this Section shall be impounded in the County dog pound, provided that such dogs or other animals may be impounded elsewhere under the supervision of and in a manner satisfactory to the Police Department.
[CC 1991 §5-22; Ord. No. 112 §7, 3-16-1955]
The Police Department or a person designated by them shall dispose of any dog or other animal affected with rabies and they shall have the power to examine and impound any animal bitten by or exposed to any animal affected with rabies. They shall have the power to require the owner or owners of such dogs to take necessary measures to prevent further spread of rabies, and to dispose of any exposed animal if such necessary measures are not taken by the owner or owners.
[CC 1991 §5-23; Ord. No. 112 §8, 3-16-1955]
Any dog captured and impounded by the Police Department as authorized in this Article and determined not to be affected with rabies by the Police Department may be redeemed to the custody of the owner or other person having the right of possession of such animal upon the presentation of a proper name tag and inoculation tag and upon payment of a redemption fee of five dollars ($5.00). If such animal shall not be redeemed in the manner provided herein in five (5) days after his/her capture, such animal shall be disposed of as directed by the Police Department provided that such animal may be redeemed by any person before its disposal upon securing a name tag and inoculation tag for such animal and paying the redemption fee provided herein.
[CC 1991 §5-24; Ord. No. 112 §9, 3-16-1955]
Whenever rabies becomes prevalent within the City or adjacent area, the Police Department shall recommend a quarantine order. The Mayor may issue such quarantine order pursuant to such recommendation. The Police Department shall, during the first (1st) week after such quarantine order is issued, take proper measures to inform the people of the City of the existence of such quarantine order and of the penalties attached to the violation of such quarantine order. A quarantine order shall direct the owner or person having custody of any dog, to securely confine or restrain on a leash in the hands of a competent person, such animal during the period of such quarantine. The quarantine may be terminated by the Mayor upon the recommendation of the Police Department after the necessity therefor shall no longer exist, provided that no quarantine shall remain effective for more than six (6) months from the date of the adoption of the quarantine order unless such quarantine order is specifically extended by order of the Mayor.
[CC 1991 §5-25; Ord. No. 112 §10, 3-16-1955]
It shall be unlawful for any person to conceal an animal or interfere with the Police Department or persons designated by them in the performance of their legal duties as provided in this Article. The Police Department or persons designated by them shall have the right of entry to any unenclosed lots or lands for the purpose of collecting any stray or untagged dog or other animal. The Police Department or its duly appointed representative shall have the right of entry to any property or premises during the period of such quarantine, for the purpose of examining or obtaining any dog suspected of having rabies, or having been exposed to rabies.