[Ord. No. 2153, 5-8-2024[1].]
As used in this Chapter the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any abrasion or laceration caused by a dog's teeth or mouth,
sufficient to break the skin.
Any devise constructed of nylon, leather, metal, or similar
material, and used for restraint of an animal by the animal's neck.
All animals of the canine species, both male and female.
Any dog that:
Has a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack when
unprovoked, upon the streets, sidewalks or any public grounds or places
or upon the property of another, to cause injury or otherwise endanger
the safety of any person or domestic animals or approaches a person
in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack;
Bites, causing severe injury, assaults or otherwise attacks
a person or domestic animal without provocation on private or public
property; or
Is owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of
dog fighting or trained for dog fighting.
A type of fence designed to make it difficult for dogs to
climb over (six (6) foot tall solid fence).
Any person, firm, partnership, or corporation owning, harboring,
or keeping a dog who has it in their care, or acts as its custodian,
or who knowingly permits a dog to remain on or about any premises
owned or occupied by them.
Allowing a dog to be off the private premises of the owner,
or keeper, or their agent, and not on a leash or confined to the arm,
motor vehicle, trailer or other conveyance of the owner or keeper,
or their agent.
Any physical injury which results in the impairment of the
function of any part of the body including broken bones or lacerations
requiring either multiple stitches or surgery.
Action by a dog not in response to being tormented, abused,
or assaulted by any person, or not in response to pain or injury or
to protect itself, its kennel, or its offspring.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Chapter 215, Dog Regulations, containing Sections 215.010 through 215.290, was repealed 5-8-2024 by Ord. No. 2158. Prior history includes: R.O. 2014 §215.010 — 215.120, 215.160 — 215.290; Ord. No. 458; Ord. No. 737; Ord. No. 809; Ord. No. 876; Ord. No. 1189; Ord. No. 1190; Ord. No.
1776; Ord. No. 1777; and Ord. No. 1782
[Ord. No. 2153, 5-8-2024]
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor or own a
dog within the City that has not been vaccinated against rabies as
provided in this Section. A veterinarian who vaccinates an animal
shall complete in duplicate a certificate of vaccination. One (1)
copy shall be issued to the animal owner and one (1) copy shall be
retained in the veterinarian's files.
[Ord. No. 2153, 5-8-2024]
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to let such dog
run at large, whether bearing a license or not, at any time, within
the City limits of Marshfield, and any dog or dogs found to be running
at large may be impounded by the City Code Enforcement Officer, designated
City employee, or contractor of the City of Marshfield, at the licensed
veterinarian facility used by the City of Marshfield, for the impounding
of dogs. In effecting the capture of such dogs, the personnel aforesaid
are authorized and directed to use traps, nets, tranquilizer guns,
or any other humane method.
[Ord. No. 2153, 5-8-2024]
Upon taking up and impounding any dogs as herein provided, the
City Code Enforcement Officer, designated City employee or contractor
who takes up and impounds any dogs shall be posted publicly.
[Ord. No. 2153, 5-8-2024]
The date of euthanasia and disposal of the dog shall not be less than five (5) business days after the posting of the notice as set forth in Section 215.060, or prior to adoption.
[Ord. No. 2153, 5-8-2024]
A.
Any
dog may be redeemed from the licensed veterinary facility used by
the City of Marshfield by the owner of the dog within the time stated
in the notice, by making payment to the City Collector for the impounding
fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) plus the boarding charges accrued
at the veterinary facility and proof of up-to-date vaccinations.
[Ord. No. 2153, 5-8-2024]
A.
It
shall be unlawful to keep or harbor more than the aggregate total
of four (4) domestic animals total per household including adult dogs
and/or cats, being dogs or cats above the age of four (4) months,
within the City of Marshfield.
B.
It
shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to attempt to take from
the City Code Enforcement Officer, designated City employee or contractor
of the City of Marshfield, any dog taken up by him/her in compliance
with this Chapter, or in any manner to interfere with or hinder such
City Code Enforcement Officer, designated City employee or contractor
of the City of Marshfield in the discharge of his/her duties under
this Chapter.
C.
Any person, firm, partnership, or corporation violating Section 215.050 or any of the provisions of Section 215.090 of the Marshfield Municipal Code is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine in accordance with the Adopting Ordinance, Section 5, Violations and Penalties, of the City of Marshfield Code.
[Ord. No. 2153, 5-8-2024]
The licensed veterinarian facility where dogs are kept as herein
provided shall be open to inspection during normal business hours
by any person who believes he/she might be the owner or keeper of
a dog there impounded or for adoption opportunity.
[Ord. No. 2153, 5-8-2024]
A.
The
owner of any dog or cat which, through biting or scratching, breaks
or abrades the skin of any person, regardless of the circumstances
or whether the animal is vaccinated shall be required to place the
animal in a veterinary facility maintained by a licensed veterinarian
for a period of ten (10) days following the evening of the day of
the bite for clinical observation.
B.
All
expenses shall be borne by the owner of the animal. If such animal
develops symptoms suggestive of rabies, it shall be allowed to die
a natural death or, if the animal should die while in confinement
for any reason, the head of such animal shall be removed and submitted
to any qualified official laboratory. When the City Enforcement Officer,
designated City employee, or contractor of the City of Marshfield,
shall determine that an immediate examination of the animal is proper,
in order to provide for adequate protection of human life or safety,
then the animal may be euthanized for purposes of examination before
the lapse of ten (10) days. If at the end of the ten (10) day period,
the animal is alive and in good health, it may be released to its
owner.
C.
All
dogs under clinical observation for rabies must fulfill all other
conditions of this Chapter prior to release.
[Ord. No. 2153, 5-8-2024]
A.
Pursuit.
Whenever the City Code Enforcement Officer, designated City employee,
or contractor of the City of Marshfield, shall have reasonable grounds
to believe that a person has been bitten or scratched by a dog, and
shall have reasonable grounds to believe that a particular dog is
guilty of having inflicted the bite or scratch, then such City Code
Enforcement Officer, designated City employee, or contractor of the
City of Marshfield shall be accompanied by a Police Officer who is
authorized to pursue such dog onto or into the property of any person
whomsoever for the purpose of taking up such animal and impounding
the same, and shall be authorized to enter any place, building or
property of another when the City Code Enforcement Officer, designated
City employee, or contractor of the City of Marshfield, has reasonable
grounds to believe that such dog is thereon or therein for the purpose
of taking up such animal and impounding the same. Provided, however,
no City Code Enforcement Officer, designated City employee, or contractor
of the City of Marshfield, shall enter the dwelling place of another
without first giving opportunity to the occupant thereof, if he/she
can be found, to deliver such animal. It shall be unlawful for any
person to interfere with any City Code Enforcement Officer, designated
City employee, or contractor of the City of Marshfield, or Police
Officer proceeding in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
B.
Impoundment
And Notification Of Owner. When any such City Code Enforcement Officer,
designated City employee, or contractor of the City of Marshfield,
shall have impounded any dog, it shall be the duty of the City Code
Enforcement Officer, designated City employee, or contractor of the
City of Marshfield, to immediately notify the owner, if he/she is
known, of such dog and it shall be the duty of such owner to comply
with the provisions of this Section.
C.
Search
Warrant. Whenever a Police Officer of the City of Marshfield shall
have probable cause to believe that an animal has bitten or scratched
a person, such Officer may, in addition to other remedies provided
in this Section, request that a warrant be issued to search for and
seize such animal pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 2153, 5-8-2024]
Any dog which exhibits clinical symptoms suggestive of rabies
as determined by any licensed veterinarian, or the City Code Enforcement
Officer, designated City employee, or contractor of the City of Marshfield,
shall be impounded off the property of the owner. This animal shall
be held for ten (10) days in a licensed veterinarian facility used
by the City of Marshfield which it cannot escape and which it cannot
make physical contact with any other animal. All expenses of said
impoundment shall be borne by the owner of the animal. If the animal
is alive and in good health at the end of said ten (10) day period,
it shall be returned to the owner after payment by the owner of all
costs associated with said impoundment.
[Ord. No. 2153, 5-8-2024]
Whenever any dog has been bitten by, fought with, or has been
substantially exposed to any animal affected with rabies, it shall
be the duty of the owner, or person in charge thereof, to quarantine
their dog, to have it immunized against rabies at the owner's or custodian's
expense, by a licensed veterinarian, or have the dog euthanized.
