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City of Richmond, MO
Ray County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (10) Index
[CC 1974 §4-17; Ord. No. 1103 §V, 12-17-1980]
The owner of any female dog in heat shall confine such dog within a building in such manner that the dog will not be accessible to or attract other dogs.
[CC 1974 §4-18; Ord. No. 746 §5, 3-4-1970; Ord. No. 1061 §§I — V, 5-21-1980]
A. 
Prohibited. No dog, male or female, whether licensed or unlicensed, shall be allowed to run at large within the corporate limits of the City. Every owner, keeper or harborer of such a dog, whether male or female, shall at all times keep such dog restrained or under his/her control while off the premises of said owner, keeper or harborer of such dog.
B. 
Definitions. As used in this Section the following terms shall have these prescribed meanings:
PREMISES
Property owned or rented by such persons dwelling within the principal building upon such property, but as to boundaries abutting or public streets shall extend only to the inner edge of any sidewalk next to or on the property or if there shall be no sidewalk, to the curbing or street edge.
RESTRAINED
Under leash, or under the immediate and effective control of a responsible person by being beside said person and obedient to said person's commands.
RUN AT LARGE AND RUNNING AT LARGE
Allowing such dog, whether male or female, to be off the premises of the owner, keeper or harborer of such dog and not restrained.
C. 
Penalty. Any owner, keeper or harborer of a dog, male or female, who shall allow such dog off the premises of such owner, keeper or harborer, as forbidden by this Section, shall be punished pursuant to Section 100.100 of this Code. This fine shall be in addition to any per diem charge that the animal may incur at the municipal animal shelter, plus court costs.
D. 
Impoundment. Any dog, male or female, licensed or unlicensed, found running at large within the corporate limits of the City may be seized by the Animal Control Officer or Police Officer and shall be held at the City animal shelter or facility for a period of one (1) week. During such period, the animal may be claimed by its owner upon proper satisfaction to the appropriate Animal Control Officer or Policeman that such person is the owner of the animal and upon paying the per-day charge for care of the animal for the cost of caring for such animal and the associated fee as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in the City offices. Each licensed animal not so claimed during such one (1) week period shall be held an additional three (3) days, during which time any person, upon paying the sum of the incurred costs for caring for such animal, may take possession of such animal upon being given a certificate by the City and shall become the owner of such animal. Any such person purchasing an animal from the City shall have such animal properly vaccinated, neutered and licensed. Every animal, male or female, licensed or unlicensed, not claimed during the second (2nd) three (3) day period shall be destroyed by the appropriate officer of the City, as directed by this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022]
[CC 1974 §4-19; Ord. No. 746 §6, 3-4-1970]
It shall be unlawful for any person keeping, owning or harboring any dog, when notified that such dog has bitten any person, to sell or give away such dog or permit such dog to be removed from the limits of the City, except by a licensed veterinarian to a veterinarian hospital. It shall be the duty of any person owning, keeping or harboring any dog, after notification that the dog has bitten any person, to place the dog in a veterinarian hospital for a period of fourteen (14) days for observation to determine whether or not the dog has rabies, or to turn the dog over to the Police to be impounded by the City.
[CC 1974 §4-20; Ord. No. 746 §7, 3-4-1970; Ord. No. 1309 §2, 10-7-1987]
A. 
Generally. It shall be unlawful for any person to own or allow to be upon any premises occupied by such person or under such person's control any dog of a dangerous, vicious or ferocious disposition without such dog being confined as provided in this section.
B. 
Defined. For purposes of this Section, "a dog of a dangerous, vicious or ferocious disposition" means any dog, except one assisting a Peace Officer in law enforcement duties, which demonstrates any of the following behavior:
1. 
An attack which requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury or property damage when such person is conducting himself/herself peacefully and lawfully.
2. 
An attack which results in property damage or in an injury to a person when such a person is conducting himself/herself peacefully and lawfully.
3. 
An attack on another animal, livestock or poultry.
4. 
Any behavior which constitutes a threat of bodily harm to a person when such person is conducting himself/herself peacefully and lawfully.
Evidence that may be considered by the Municipal Judge, Animal Control Officer, health officer or Police Officer may include, but is not necessarily limited to, testimony of persons who have witnessed the actual behavior of said dog, past incidents involving said dog, size of dog, the conditions in which the dog is kept, and the breed of the dog.
C. 
Determination Of Dangerousness Upon Complaint — Additional Penalties. When it is charged by any person that any dog is a dangerous, vicious or ferocious dog, a complaint shall be made by the person making such charge, and the Municipal Court shall have jurisdiction to determine whether or not such dog is dangerous, vicious or ferocious. In the event it is determined by the court that said dog is vicious, dangerous or ferocious, in addition to imposing punishment as provided herein for violation of this Section, the court shall also have the authority to order the dog killed or securely confined as provided in this Section.
D. 
Leash And Muzzle. No person shall permit a dog of dangerous, vicious or ferocious disposition to go outside its kennel or pen unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four (4) feet in length. No person shall permit a dog of dangerous, vicious or ferocious disposition to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person is in physical control of the leash. Such dogs may not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings, etc. In addition, all such dogs on a leash outside the animal's kennel must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals.
E. 
Confinement. Any dog of dangerous, vicious or ferocious disposition shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leased and muzzled as above provided. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. All structures used to confine a dog of dangerous, vicious or ferocious disposition 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, vicious or ferocious dogs must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City. All such structures must be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
F. 
Confinement Indoors. No dog of dangerous, vicious or ferocious disposition may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog 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 dog from exiting the structure.
G. 
Signs. All owners, keepers or harborers of dangerous, vicious or ferocious dogs within the City shall display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words "Beware of Dangerous Dog". In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on the kennel or pen of such animal.
H. 
Penalty For Violation. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Section, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed three (3) months, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation of this Section continues shall be deemed a separate offense. In the event the court should order such dangerous, vicious or ferocious dog to be confined and the defendant should fail to comply with such order, then the Municipal Court judge shall have the authority to find the defendant in contempt and order the immediate confiscation, impoundment and disposal of such animal. In addition to the foregoing penalties, any person who violates this Section shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, handling, veterinary care, and testimony and court costs necessitated by the enforcement of this Section.
I. 
Right Of Entry To Dispose Of Dangerous Dog. The Animal Control Officer or any Police Officer of the City shall have the right to go on any property by order of the Municipal Court to dispose of any dog found by the court to be dangerous, vicious or ferocious.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Section 210.225, Pit Bulls, enacted 6-27-2007 by §1 or Ord. No. 2051, was repealed 7-12-2016 by §I of Ord. No. 2387.
[CC 1974 §4-22; Ord. No. 1524 §1, 7-13-1994; Ord. No. 1929, 7-28-2004]
A. 
Unrestrained dogs and cats or nuisance animals shall be taken by the Animal Control Officer or Police Officer and impounded in an animal control shelter and there confined in a humane manner.
B. 
If, by a license tag or other means, the owner of an impounded animal can be identified, the Animal Control Officer or Police Officer shall immediately upon impoundment notify the owner by telephone, personal contact or certified mail.
C. 
An owner reclaiming an impounded dog or cat shall pay the fees as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in the City offices. Subsequent impounds occurring within twelve (12) months are charged double.
[Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022]
D. 
Any animal not reclaimed by its owner within one (1) week shall become the property of the City and shall be placed for adoption in a suitable home or humanely euthanized. An animal not claimed within one (1) week shall be held an additional three (3) days, during which time any person, upon paying the sum of the incurred costs for caring for such animal, may take possession of such animal upon being given a certificate by the City and shall become the owner of such animal. Any such person purchasing an animal from the City shall have such animal properly vaccinated, neutered and licensed.
E. 
In addition to, or in lieu of, impounding an animal found at large, the Animal Control Officer or Police Officer may issue to the known owner of such animal a notice of ordinance violation. Such notice shall impose upon the owner a penalty of ten dollars ($10.00) that is to be paid to the City of Richmond Collector's office within seventy-two (72) hours in full satisfaction of the assessed penalty. In the event such penalty is not paid within the time allowed, a summons to appear in Municipal Court will be issued and upon conviction of the violation of this Section shall be punishable by the terms of penalty Section 100.100 of this Code.
F. 
The owner of an impounded animal may also be proceeded against for violation of this Section.
G. 
The shelter director or Animal Control Officer or Police Officer shall keep complete and accurate records of the care, feeding, veterinary treatment and disposition of all animals impounded at the shelter.
H. 
No unlicensed animal may be reclaimed or adopted without first obtaining a valid license as set out in Section 210.250 of this Article.
[CC 1974 §4-24; Ord. No. 746 §11, 3-4-1970]
No person shall willfully administer any poison to any dog or willfully expose any poisonous substances where the same may be taken up by any dog. This Section shall not apply to the Police Department or any officer engaged in the performance of his/her duties as a Police Officer, Animal Control Officer or duly licensed veterinarian.
[1]
Cross Reference — Animal abuse or neglect, §210.330 et seq.
[CC 1974 §4-31; Ord. No. 1103 §III(a), 12-17-1980; Ord. No. 1522 §1, 7-13-1994]
A. 
Any person owning, keeping, harboring or having custody of any animal over six (6) months of age within this municipality must obtain a license as herein provided. This provision may not apply to small cage birds or to aquatic and amphibian animals kept solely as pets.
B. 
Written application for licenses, which shall include name and address of applicant, description of the animal, the appropriate fee, and rabies certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian or antirabies clinic, shall be made to the licensing authority.
C. 
If not revoked, licenses for the keeping of dogs and cats shall be for a period of one (1) or more years.
D. 
Application for a license must be made within thirty (30) days after obtaining a dog or cat over four (4) months of age; this requirement will not apply to a non-residents keeping a dog or cat within the municipality for not longer than sixty (60) days.
E. 
License fees shall not be required for certified Seeing Eye dogs, hearing dogs, governmental Police dogs, or other certified dogs that are trained to assist the physically handicapped.
F. 
Upon acceptance of the license application and fee, the licensing authority shall issue a durable tag or identification collar stamped with an identifying number and the year of issuance. Tags should be designed so that they may be conveniently fastened or riveted to the animal's collar or harness.
G. 
Dogs and cats must wear identification tags or collars at all times when off the premises of the owners.
H. 
The licensing authority shall maintain a record of the identifying number of all tags issued and shall make this record available to the public during normal business hours.
I. 
The licensing period shall begin with the calendar year and shall run for one (1) year periods. A license application may be made thirty (30) days prior to and up to sixty (60) days after the start of the calendar year. Persons applying for a new license during the licensing year shall be required to pay fifty percent (50%) of the fee stipulated in this Section.
J. 
Persons who fail to obtain a license as required within the time period specified in this Section will be subject to a fine of ten dollars ($10.00) upon the regular licensing fees.
K. 
A license shall be issued after payment of the fees as set forth in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in the City offices. No person may use any license for any animal other than the animal for which it was issued.
[Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsections (L) and (M), which immediately followed, were repealed by 4-26-2022 by Ord. No. 2569.
[CC 1974 §4-38; Ord. No. 1103, §III(i), 12-17-1980]
Kennel owners or breeders shall obtain a kennel license upon payment of two hundred dollars ($200.00). An affidavit, together with an application for license, shall be presented setting forth and describing the kennel or breeding operation for which such license is sought. If such application is by a person who is a bona fide kennel owner or breeder of dogs and provided that all kept in connection with such operation and not licensed as otherwise provided herein are kept upon the applicant's premises at all times, such payment shall be exclusive of any other fees mentioned in this Section. Such kennel license shall be issued for one (1) year, beginning with the first (1st) day of January in the year of operation; and the operator may apply for the license in January without penalty for delay; but when an application which should have been made by January thirty-first (31st) is not made until after January thirty-first (31st), the appropriate license fee shall be increased by fifty percent (50%). If an operation shall commence after January thirty-first (31st), the license fee for the year of commencement may be prorated to the nearest quarter, and the fifty percent (50%) penalty for delinquency shall be added thirty (30) days after the date the license should have been procured.