City of Vandalia, MO Dangerous Animals

Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed R.O. 1991 § 210.210(B), defining the term "dangerous animal."

Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed R.O. 1991 § 210.220, Appeals, as amended 2-12-2002 by Ord. No. 978 § II.

[Ord. No. 21-1215 § II, 10-12-2021[1]]

Dangerous animals residing in the City of Vandalia, Missouri, may be kept by their owners within the City of Vandalia, subject to the following standards:

Registration.

After the animal has been declared dangerous, it must immediately be registered by the owner as a dangerous animal at City Hall. Registration would consist of providing proof of annual City animal registration tag, and certification or rabies vaccine (which are required by Vandalia City Code Section 210.040), and two (2) color photographs [two (2) different poses of the animal clearly showing the color and approximate size of the animal].

In addition, the owner must maintain public liability insurance in a single incident amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for bodily injury to or death of any person or persons and for damage to property owned by any person or persons which may result from the ownership, keeping or maintaining of such animal. 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 City Administrator or his/her designee.

This Section does not apply to animals registered before January 1, 2015.

Muzzles, Leashes. No person shall permit a dangerous animal to go outside its enclosure or pen unless securely leashed with a leash no longer than four (4) feet in length. No person shall permit a dangerous animal to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its enclosure or pen unless a person is in physical control of the leash. Such animals may not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings, etc. In addition, all dangerous animals on a leash outside of its enclosure or pen must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such animal from biting people or other animals.

Confinement. All dangerous animals shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or enclosure, except when leashed and muzzled as above described. Such pen, enclosure or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. All structures used to confine dangerous animals must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure. Such structure 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 dangerous animals must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City of Vandalia. Kennels or pens which are not considered to be structures by the Zoning Code must be at least five (5) feet from owner's property line and may not be placed in any front yard. All such structures must be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition. No dangerous animal may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house 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.

Signs. All owners and keepers of dangerous animals, or anyone harboring dangerous animals within the City shall, within ten (10) days of the effective date of the Section, 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 enclosure or pen of such animal.

Failure To Comply. It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dangerous animal or anyone harboring a dangerous animal within the City of Vandalia to fail to comply with all the requirements and conditions set forth in this Section. Any dangerous animal found to be the subject of any violation of this Section, either on public or private property, shall be subject to immediate seizure, impoundment and its registration revoked. The owner shall pay all applicable impoundment fees and remove the animal from the City. If the owner fails to claim the animal, said animal shall be destroyed after seven (7) days. If the animal cannot be safely seized, it shall be destroyed. An animal previously removed or ordered removed from the City which is found within the City limits shall be seized and subsequently destroyed.

Violations And Penalties. Any person violating or permitting the violation of any provision of this Section shall, upon conviction in Municipal Court, be fined a sum of not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) and not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). In addition to the fine imposed, the court may sentence the defendant to imprisonment for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. Each day that a violation of this Article continues shall be deemed a separate offense. In addition to the foregoing penalties, any person who violates this Article shall pay all expenses that were incurred as a result of the failure to comply with these requirements.

Protect Persons, Property From Harm. In the event that a dangerous animal is found at large or the owner refuses to comply with all provisions of this Article and the animal is acting in a threatening manner, the City of Vandalia reserves the right to destroy the animal without prior notification to the owner. In no event will the City be under duty to attempt the confinement or capture of said animal and may, within the City limits, go onto any property necessary to protect from harm any person or property from said animal.

[1]

Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed R.O. 1991 § 210.230, Regulations, as amended 2-12-2002 by Ord. No. 978 § II, 3-12-2002 by Ord. No. 981 §§ I – II, and 11-13-2014 by Ord. No. 14-1148 § I – II.