[R.O. 2007 §7-76; Rev. Ords. 1951 §13.090; Ord. No. 5152 §1, 1-4-1988; Ord. No. 7165 §§1 — 3, 3-1-2010]
For the purposes of this Chapter, certain terms and words are hereby defined. Words used in the present tense include the future, the singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular; reference to the male gender include the female, and any references to any person or animal without specifying gender include both male and female; the word "shall" is mandatory and directory wherever it is used in this Chapter. Other words defined are:
ANIMAL
Any live, vertebrate creature, domestic or wild, other than humans.
ANIMAL SHELTER
The facility or facilities operated by Poplar Bluff, Missouri, or its authorized agents for the purpose of impounding or caring of animals held under the authority of this Chapter or State law.
CAT
All members of the classification Felis Domesticus, male or female, six (6) months of age or older.
DANGEROUS ANIMAL
A dangerous animal is a dog or cat or other animal:
1. 
Which has previously attacked or bitten any person or domestic animal; or possesses a propensity to attack or bite man or domestic animal; or possesses the propensity to cause annoyance to persons using the public roads, streets and sidewalks; or has a propensity to chase, worry or molest livestock, other dogs or cats or children, or cause any damage or injury; and
2. 
Whose propensity described under Subparagraph (1) of this definition is known or ought reasonably to be known by a person responsible for the animal or specifically as to dogs, any of the following breeds: Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Mix Breed of all Pit Bull Breeds.
DOG
All members of the classification Canis familiaris, male or female sex, six (6) months of age or older.
EUTHANIZE
To put to death in a humane manner, taking into account the circumstances necessitating the euthanasia and the need to protect the public health.
EXPOSED TO RABIES
Any vaccinated or unvaccinated animal which has been bitten, has been fighting with or has had contact with:
1. 
An animal known to have rabies; or
2. 
An animal which shows or has shown signs of rabies.
FOWL
Any and all fowl, domesticated and wild, male and female, single and plural.
IMPOUND
To apprehend, seize, catch, trap, net, quarantine, tranquilize or confine an animal in a humane manner.
IMPOUNDING FACILITY
Any facility designated by the Supervisor for the purpose of confining animals pursuant to this Chapter.
KITTEN
All member of the classification Felis domesticus, male or female, under the age of six (6) months.
PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ANIMAL
Includes any person, firm, association, partnership or corporation which owns, harbors, shelters, keeps, controls, manages, possesses or has part interest in any animal. An occupant of any premises on which a dog or cat remains or customarily returns is a person responsible for it under this Chapter. If a person under the age of seventeen (17) years owns an animal subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the head of the household of which such person under the age of seventeen (17) years is a member shall be the person responsible for the animal under this Chapter. Such household head may himself/herself be under the age of seventeen (17) years and therefore subject to prosecution under this Chapter. If not a member of a household, a person under the age of seventeen (17) years shall himself/herself be the responsible person. There may be more that one (1) person responsible for an animal.
PUPPY
All members of the classification Canis Familiaris, male or female, under six (6) months of age.
SUPERVISOR
The supervisor of animal control and staff assigned to work under the direct control of the supervisor of animal control who may act through staff to perform any duty under this Chapter unless otherwise specifically stated.
TAG
Any object, regardless of the shape and material, which bears a registration number and the words (or the abbreviations) "Rabies Vaccination Registration" which has been issued by the City pursuant to this Chapter.
VACCINATION-REGISTRATION
The procedure of vaccination against rabies including the issuance of a tag. The words "vaccination" and "registration" shall be interchangeable.
VETERINARIAN
Unless otherwise specifically indicated, veterinarian means any veterinarian holding a current Missouri license, or any person acting under the direct supervision of a veterinarian who has a valid Missouri license.
[R.O. 2007 §7-77; Ord. No. 1631 §2, 7-6-1954; Ord. No. 4318 §1, 5-1-1978; Ord. No. 7165 §§1 — 3, 3-1-2010]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for anyone to permit any dog owned, kept or harbored by him/her or under his/her control to run at large within the City limits.
1. 
Every person responsible for a dog or other animal shall keep it from being at large as defined in Subparagraph (2) of this Section.
2. 
At large.
a. 
A dog is at large when it is outside a cage or building from which it cannot escape unless.
(1) 
It is attached to a leash held by a person that is capable of and is in fact controlling the dog in question.
(2) 
It is within a vehicle from which the animal cannot escape while the vehicle is being driven, parked or stopped.
(3) 
It is more that fifty (50) feet from a person to whose commands the dog is obedient if such dog is not annoying any human or domestic animal, or trespassing on private property, or in a public area where dogs are forbidden.
b. 
A dog is at large if it is not kept securely confined while in heat or estrus. A dog in heat or estrus is confined within the meaning of this paragraph only if:
(1) 
It is kept in this residence of a person responsible for it and it can neither escape nor be reached by animals outside the residence; or
(2) 
It is on a leash on the premises of a person responsible for it and is supervised by a person responsible for it.
c. 
Any animal other than a dog is at large if it is not in a cage which restrains it from interfering with any person while it is in a place of public assembly or public commerce.
3. 
Subsection (1) does not apply to animals:
a. 
While being used in hunting, field trials and dog shows while on public land set aside for those purposes;
b. 
Used for tracking in conjunction with police activities; of the canine corps of any police force of the City of Poplar Bluff, Butler County, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, any Federal law enforcement agency or the Armed Forces of the United States while being used to conduct official business or being used for official purposes.
4. 
Notwithstanding any provision of Subsection (2) of this Section, animals which are trained to assist persons with impaired sight, hearing or with other disability are not at large when accompanying a person they are trained to assist. Persons responsible for these animals shall possess a card issued by the school which trained the animal indicating that these animals are so trained. The Supervisor is hereby given the authority to issue such cards upon request of persons responsible for such animals. Every person who is responsible for such animal and is assisted by it shall present the card described in this Subsection to a Law Enforcement Officer or to the supervisor upon the request. Full and equal access to all public facilities and transportation shall be allowed to such animals accompanying disabled persons.
[R.O. 2007 §7-78; Rev. Ords. 1951 §§13.070, 13.120, 22.840; Ord. No. 5152 §1, 1-4-1988; Ord. No. 6668 §1, 11-17-2003; Ord. No. 7165 §§1 — 3, 3-1-2010]
A. 
Any person responsible for a dangerous animal shall:
1. 
Be restricted to having no more than one (1) such animal in his/her possession or control. The total number of such animals shall not include litters, however, when the litter has reached sufficient maturity, the person responsible for such litter shall be required to limit the number of such animals to the maximum number of one (1) animal.
2. 
The owner of a dangerous animal shall not suffer or permit such animal to go unconfined on the premises of such person. A dangerous animal is "unconfined", as the term is used in this Section, when such animal is not securely confined indoors or confined in a securely enclosed and locked (pad lock) pen or structure upon the premises of said person. Such pen or structure must have secure sides and a secure top. If the pen or structure has no bottom secured to the sides, the sides must be imbedded into the ground no less that one (1) foot.
3. 
Upon written complaint of an offended person that a dangerous animal is being harbored or cared for in violation of this Section, the Animal Control Officer shall make an on-sight inspection of the premises where the animal is kept. The officer shall then file a written report with a committee consisting of three (3) members of the Animal Advisory Board. Upon the recommendation of the committee, the Animal Control Officer shall issue a warning to the owner declaring the animal to be a dangerous animal with the reasons therefore and giving the owner five (5) days to comply with the provisions of this Section. Should the owner fail to comply after the five (5) day period, a citation shall be issued to the owner.
4. 
Post a notice on the premises in a place conspicuously visible to the public and reading in letters not less that two (2) inches high "Dangerous (Dog, Cat or Other Animal)" indicating the type of dangerous animal which is on the premises.
5. 
Carry a policy of liability insurance for such animal with coverage in a minimum amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00), said policy to cover damages as may be caused by the animal to persons or property of another, to be purchased in six (6) month intervals and proof shown to Animal Control Officers. The owner shall also micro chip said animal and register it with above officers.
B. 
A person responsible for a dangerous animal may take the dangerous animal from the place of confinement described in Subsection (A)(2) if that person places a secure muzzle on the animal, places the animal on a leash having a minimum tensile strength of six hundred (600) pounds and not exceeding (3) feet in length and in fact can control the animal to the point of it not injuring or threatening any human, animal or property.
C. 
Any dangerous animal found off the premises of a person responsible for it and not confined as in Subsection (A) may be seized by the Animal Control Officer, any Police Officer or other agent authorized by the Supervisor unless the animal is off the premises as permitted by Subsection (B) of this Section. Any dangerous animal which has escaped from its fenced enclosure may be impounded by the Animal Control Officers whether or not is has been returned to its enclosure at the time of impoundment. If impounded pursuant to this Subsection, the animal shall not be returned to the person responsible for it unless a court so orders.
D. 
In addition to or as an alternative to the penalty which may be imposed in violation of Subsection (A) of this Section, the court may order such dangerous animal euthanized upon showing by a preponderance of the evidence of facts demonstrating that the animal is within the definition of a dangerous animal and that it has not been confined as required in Subsection (A) of this Section regardless of whether it is so confined at the time of trial or was so confined at the time of impounding.
E. 
Upon written complaint of an offended person that a dangerous animal is being harbored or cared for in violation of this Section, the Animal Control Officer shall make an on-sight inspection of the premises where the animal is kept. The Animal Control Officer shall in his/her discretion seize the animal and issue a citation to the person responsible for such animal, or issue a warning to the owner, declaring the animal to be a dangerous animal with the reasons therefore and giving the owner five (5) days to comply with the provisions of this Section. Should the person responsible for the animal fail to comply after the five (5) day period, said animal shall be seized and impounded and a citation shall be issued to such person.
F. 
Any dangerous animal found by the court to be harbored or cared for in violation of this Section shall, in the court's discretion, be:
1. 
Removed from City jurisdiction;
2. 
Destroyed by the Animal Control Officer or other qualified personnel; or
3. 
The owner shall be required to comply with the provisions of this Section within a reasonable time or fined up to five hundred dollars ($500.00), or both.
G. 
No animal may be declared dangerous if the threat, injury or damage was sustained by a person who at the time was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises occupied by the owner, or was teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the animal, or has in the past been observed or reported to have teased, tormented, abused or assaulted the animal, or was committing or was attempting to commit a crime. Any known offender shall be reported to the Police Department.
H. 
Any dangerous animal which attacks a human being or another domestic animal may be ordered destroyed when, in the court's judgment, such dangerous animal represents a continuing threat of serious harm to human beings or other domestic animals.
I. 
Any person found guilty of violating this Section shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, veterinary expenses for identification or boarding and veterinary expenses necessitated by the seizure of any animal for the protection of the public, and such other expenses as may be required for the destruction of any such animal.
[R.O. 2007 §7-79; Ord. No. 4318 §2, 5-1-1978; Ord. No. 7165 §§1 — 3, 3-1-2010]
Any animal having dangerous or vicious propensities and tendencies found at large may be killed by any Police Officer of the City without such officer having to catch or impound such animal.
[R.O. 2007 §7-80; Rev. Ords. 1951 §§13.100, 13.110; Ord. No. 4435 §4, 11-5-1979; Ord. No. 7165 §§1 — 3, 3-1-2010; Ord. No. 24-65, 10-21-2024]
A. 
Any animal that bites or is reasonably suspected of biting any person shall be immediately seized and impounded for a period of not less than ten (10) days and shall be boarded with a licensed veterinarian at the owner's or keeper's expense or impounded at the City animal shelter at the owner's expense and released to owner during normal business hours at the end of those 10 days.
1. 
Exception: The animal's owner can provide current proof of vaccination by a licensed veterinarian, and this is the first such incident for the animal, it may remain in the owner's care for the ten (10) day observation period to be re-examined by Animal Control at the end of that period.
B. 
In the event that the mayor reasonably determines that the existence of any disease, or the number of dangerous animals, or the number of animals running at large warrants extraordinary action and the safety of the citizens demands it, he/she may issue an emergency proclamation notifying all persons in the City that all animals within the City will have to be muzzled or restrained or such other measures taken and for such time as is specifically stated in the emergency proclamation.
C. 
It is hereby made the duty of all Police Officers and Animal Control Officers to kill any animal found running at large and not muzzled immediately after the publication of said proclamation and during the time identified therein if such animal is identified in the proclamation.
D. 
If an animal which is subject to the vaccination requirements of this Chapter is returned to a person responsible for it following impoundment and is not currently vaccinated, the animal must be vaccinated in either of the following manners:
1. 
By a veterinarian selected by the person responsible for the animal following the release of the animal upon the following conditions.
2. 
The person responsible for the animal shall have the animal vaccinated within seventy-two (72) hours following the return of the animal to him. Failure to so vaccinate the animal shall be a separate violation of this Chapter and will subject the animal to further impoundment until the vaccination-registrations completed.
E. 
Every animal impounded under provisions of this Section which is found upon arrival at the place of impounding to be diseased or injured whose owner is unknown or relinquishes ownership may be immediately euthanized and the specimen sent to the Department of Health for testing.
F. 
If the person responsible for the animal resides outside of the City of Poplar Bluff, said person shall immediately return to that residence and impound the animal and follow the Subsections of this Section.
G. 
If an animal confined pursuant to this Section dies during the observation period, regardless of the location or the cause of death, the head shall be removed and submitted to a laboratory (Missouri Department of Health) for examination for rabies.
[R.O. 2007 §7-81; Rev. Ords. 1951 §13.130; Ord. No. 7165 §§1 — 3, 3-1-2010]
If any person shall interfere with, resist, hinder or obstruct the pound master or any member of the Police force in the discharge of any duty imposed upon them by this Article, such person shall be deemed guilty of an ordinance violation.
[R.O. 2007 §7-82; Ord. No. 4518 §2, 10-6-1980; Ord. No. 7165 §§1 — 3, 3-1-2010]
The owner, keeper or person harboring any female dog or cat shall, during that period that such animal is in heat, keep it securely confined and enclosed within a building except when out upon such person's premises briefly for toilet purposes (not to exceed fifteen (15) minutes on each occasion) while on leash or otherwise effectively physically restrained by said person in charge.
[R.O. 2007 §7-83; Ord. No. 4681 §1, 7-6-1982; Ord. No. 7165 §§1 — 3, 3-1-2010]
A. 
The use of deadly weapons by animal control personnel is authorized and limited to the following circumstances:
1. 
Prior approval by the Animal Control Officer's supervisor.
2. 
Unavailability of a regularly commissioned Police Officer.
3. 
Exhaustion of non-lethal attempts at capture.
4. 
Subject animals must be aggressive, vicious dog bite suspect or rabies suspect, at large and posing clear immediate threat to public welfare.
5. 
In the instance of near fatal accidents to subject animal, use of a deadly weapon must be the most humane alternative of termination.
B. 
The deadly weapon to be used shall be a shotgun with the load and size of shot determined by the officer.
C. 
The City Manager may adopt and promulgate such additional and supplemental regulations as the City Manager deems necessary, one (1) of which shall be specific training requirements for any animal control personnel using deadly weapons.
[Ord. No. 7165 §§1 — 3, 3-1-2010]
A. 
It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor, own or anyway possess a pit bull/mix dog inside the City limits of Poplar Bluff, provided that the pit bull/mix dog has not resided in the City on the effective date of said ordinance.
1. 
A pit bull/mix for purposes of this Section is described in the definition of "dangerous animal" in Section 205.380, to include any dog that has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breed described in the definition of "dangerous animal" in Section 205.380 or a combination of any of the pit bull dog/terrier breeds.
2. 
Any dog prohibited in this Section that was kept within the City prior to the enactment of this Section shall be exempt for the requirements of this Section but when said dog is deceased, it shall not be replaced with the breed described in the definition of "dangerous animal" in Section 205.380.
3. 
All owners, keepers or harborers of pit bull/mix dogs that are exempt from the above Subsection (2) must have said dog micro-chipped, register the owner's information with the City (name, address, phone), visual photos of said dog, with a complete description of said animal with specific identifiers, within thirty (30) days of effective date of this Section.
4. 
All owners, keepers or harborers of pit bull/mix dogs must within ten (10) days of the incident report the following information in writing to the Animal Control Officers and required hereinafter:
a. 
The removal from the City or death of a pit bull/mix dog;
b. 
The birth of offspring of a pit bull/mix dog;
c. 
The new address of a pit bull/mix dog owner should the owner move from one address within the corporate City limits to another address within the corporate City limits.
5. 
No person shall sell, barter or in any other way dispose of a pit bull/mix dog registered with the City to any person within the City unless the recipient person resides permanently in the same household and on the same premises as the registered owner of a pit bull/mix; provided that the registered owner of a pit bull/mix dog may sell or otherwise dispose of a pit bull/mix dog to persons who do not reside within the City limits.
6. 
All offspring born to pit bull/mix dogs registered with the City must be removed from the City within eight (8) weeks of the birth of said dog.
7. 
It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper or harborer of a pit bull/mix, registered with the City of Poplar Bluff, that fail to comply to the requirements and conditions set forth in this Section. Any dog found to be the subject of a violation of this Section shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment.
8. 
Any person violating or permitting the violation of any provision of this Section shall upon conviction be fined a sum not more that 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 ninety (90) days. The court shall order the dog removed from the City or destruction of said animal. In addition, the court shall order the registration of the subject pit bull/mix dog revoked and the dog removed from the City. Should the defendant refuse to remove the dog from the City, the judge may find the defendant owner in contempt and order the immediate confiscation and impoundment of said animal. In addition to the foregoing penalties, any person who violates this Section shall pay all expenses to include shelter, food, handling, veterinary care and testimony necessitated by the enforcement of this Section.
[Ord. No. 7165 §§1 — 3, 3-1-2010]
A. 
The City of Poplar Bluff will not be responsible for the removal of any animals caught in below said traps, not placed by Animal Control or:
1. 
Homemade or fabricated by any company other than the company used by the Poplar Bluff Animal Control.
2. 
Not designed for the specific use of the animal in question (skunk, cat, dog, raccoon, possum, etc.).
Any person trapping an animal inside of the City limits of Poplar Bluff must comply with all animal control guidelines. Any trap capable of injuring or killing (steel jaw traps, steel devises, etc.) an animal are prohibited within the City limits of Poplar Bluff, with the removal of said traps by officers.