[CC 1990 §210.010; Ord. No. 92.029 §210.010, 6-8-1992]
The following words when used in this Chapter, shall have the meanings set out herein:
CAT
Shall be construed to mean any animal of the feline species, both male and female.
DOG
Shall be construed and held to mean any animal of the canine species, both male and female.
[CC 1990 §210.020; Ord. No. 92.029 §210.020, 6-8-1992]
No dog or cat above the age of four (4) months shall be permitted to be and remain in the City of Desloge, unless such dog or cat shall be vaccinated at least once each year with anti-rabies vaccine. An impounded dog or cat will not be released until vaccinated with anti-rabies vaccine.
[CC 1990 §210.030; Ord. No. 92.029 §210.030, 6-8-1992]
It shall hereafter be unlawful for any owner, keeper, or any person having the care or control of a dog or cat to suffer or permit said dog or cat to run at large within the corporate limits of the City of Desloge, Missouri, and it shall be the duty of every owner or person having the care and control of a dog or cat to keep the same within a proper enclosure upon said owner's or persons' premises, no dog or cat shall be allowed to run upon the property of another, and no dog or cat shall be allowed to roam upon the streets or sidewalks of the City of Desloge, Missouri, unless said dog or cat is securely fastened to a leash or halter and the leash or halter held by some person at all times.
[CC 1990 §210.040; Ord. No. 92.029 §210.040, 6-8-1992]
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Warden, or his/her designee, to take up and impound, in a suitable place to be designated by the City Administrator, all dogs and cats running at large in the limits of the City.
[CC 1990 §210.050; Ord. No. 92.029 §210.050, 6-8-1992]
When any dog or cat has been impounded, under the provisions of the preceding Section, the Animal Control Warden, or his/her designee, shall immediately advertise the impounding of such dog or cat by two (2) posters giving the description of the dog or cat, stating the date of capture and the date of impending execution, to be put up in two (2) public and conspicuous places within the corporate limits of the City of Desloge.
[CC 1990 §210.060; Ord. No. 92.029 §210.060, 6-8-1992; Ord. No. 95.023 §1, 11-13-1995; Ord. No. 2009.21 §1, 12-14-2009]
A. 
Any animal so taken up and impounded, as provided by this Chapter, may be redeemed by the owner or the custodian thereof by paying to the City Clerk or his/her designee a ten dollar ($10.00) impoundment fee. An additional ten dollar ($10.00) animal maintenance fee for each day the animal is impounded shall be paid. Verification shall be made to the City Clerk or his/her designee that the impounded animal has a current rabies vaccination at the time of redemption. Should the impounded animal not have or if the owner cannot provide verification of vaccination, the animal shall not be redeemed until a rabies vaccination has been given by a qualified veterinarian. The cost of the vaccination shall be added to the redemption fee and paid at the time of the redemption. A reasonable effort shall be made to notify the owner or custodian of any animal impounded.
B. 
In the event that any animal so impounded should not be redeemed by the owner or custodian thereof within five (5) business days after impoundment, any other person shall be entitled to adopt such animal. All animals adopted shall be spayed or neutered and receive a rabies vaccination at the adoptive owner's expense. Should the animal not be old enough to receive this treatment, the adoptive owner shall sign a letter of intent to comply once the animal has reached the appropriate age. The City of Desloge Animal Control Officer shall verify that the above requirements are met.
C. 
If an animal is impounded and an adoptive owner cannot be found within three (3) business days after the initial five (5) day impoundment period, the animal shall be humanely euthanized and disposed of by a qualified veterinarian.
A. 
A person is guilty of animal abuse when a person:
1. 
Intentionally or purposely kills an animal in any manner not allowed by or expressly exempted from the provisions of Sections 578.005 to 578.023 and 273.030, RSMo.;
2. 
Purposely or intentionally causes injury or suffering to an animal; or
3. 
Having ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails to provide adequate care or adequate control.
B. 
For purposes of this Section, "animal" shall be defined as a mammal.
[1]
Note — Under certain circumstances this offense can be a felony under state law.
A. 
A person is guilty of animal neglect when he/she has custody or ownership or both of an animal and fails to provide adequate care or adequate control which results in substantial harm to the animal.
B. 
A person is guilty of animal abandonment when he/she has knowingly abandoned an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate care.
C. 
Animal neglect or animal abandonment are ordinance violations. For a first (1st) offense of either violation, a term of imprisonment, not to exceed fifteen (15) days or a fine, not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), or both such fine and imprisonment may be imposed. For a second (2nd) or subsequent violation of either offense, a term of imprisonment, not to exceed ninety (90) days or a fine, not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), or both such fine and imprisonment may be imposed. All fines and penalties for a first (1st) conviction of animal neglect or animal abandonment may be waived by the court provided that the person found guilty of animal neglect or abandonment shows that adequate, permanent remedies for the neglect or abandonment have been made. Reasonable costs incurred for the care and maintenance of neglected or abandoned animals may not be waived.
D. 
In addition to any other penalty imposed by this Section, the court may order a person found guilty of animal neglect or animal abandonment to pay all reasonable costs and expenses necessary for:
1. 
The care and maintenance of neglected or abandoned animals within the person's custody or ownership;
2. 
The disposal of any dead or diseased animals within the person's custody or ownership;
3. 
The reduction of resulting organic debris affecting the immediate area of the neglect or abandonment; and
4. 
The avoidance or minimization of any public health risks created by the neglect or abandonment of the animals.
[CC 1990 §210.080; Ord. No. 92.029 §210.080, 6-8-1992; Ord. No. 2012.01 §1, 1-9-2012]
No person or family shall have more than three (3) cats or more than three (3) dogs which are over the age of six (6) months present on their premises unless said person or family has a license to operate a kennel under the Zoning Code of the City of Desloge.
[CC 1990 §210.100; Ord. No. 92.029 §210.100, 6-8-1992]
Duly authorized City personnel may destroy dogs in a pack consisting of four (4) or more dogs, on sight, if said dogs are running at large.
[CC 1990 §210.110; Ord. No. 92.029 §210.110, 6-8-1992]
Any person violating the provisions of this Article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars ($5.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). Each day a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.