[CC §18.050; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974; Ord. No. 167, 6-16-1980; Ord. No.
666 §1, 5-15-2000]
For the purpose of this Chapter the following words shall have
the meanings set out below:
Any domesticated cat or feline over the age of six (6) months.
Any of its duly authorized employees.
Any domesticated dog or canine over the age of six (6) months.
Any domesticated cat or feline under the age of six (6) months.
Any domesticated dog or canine under the age of six (6) months.
Shall be construed to mean the Health Official, Rabies Control
or the Department of St. Louis County who acts as an agent for the
City of St. John.
[CC §18.060; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974; Ord. No. 666 §2, 5-15-2000]
Every resident person who owns, controls, manages, possesses
or has part interest in any dog/cat kept any time during the year
or permits a dog/cat to come upon, in, and to remain in or about his
home, place of business, or other premises, shall have such dog/cat
inoculated against rabies, but such inoculation requirements shall
not apply to dogs/cats less than six (6) months of age. Such dogs/cats
must be inoculated at least once each year unless a three (3) year
type vaccine, approved by the St. Louis County Health Commissioner
is administered, in which case the dogs/cats shall be inoculated at
least every three (3) years. For the purposes of facilitating the
provisions of this Section, the City of St. John or the St. Louis
County Department of Public Health may hold dog/cat inoculation clinics.
[CC §18.070; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974; Ord. No. 666 §§2 — 3, 5-15-2000; Ord. No. 1030 §§1 — 3, 3-7-2014]
An annual license fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) for each dog/cat,
male or female, is hereby imposed upon every resident person who owns,
controls, manages, possesses or has part interest in any dog/cat six
(6) months of age or older, kept any time during the year, or upon
every resident person who permits a dog/cat six (6) months of age
or older to come upon, in and to remain in or about his home, place
of business, or other premises in the area affected by this Chapter.
There shall be a license fee of two dollars ($2.00) for each dog/cat
having been neutered/spayed. An applicant for a dog/cat license for
any dog/cat shall present to the Licensing Official a certificate
of inoculation against rabies signed by a licensed veterinarian, which
certificate shall have been executed sometime during the previous
thirty-six-month period if a three-year-type vaccine approved by the
St. Louis County Health Commissioner was administered, or during the
previous twelve-month period for all other vaccines, and which certificate
shall bear thereon information as to the type of vaccine used, sex
of the dog/cat, and if a female, whether or not it has been spayed.
Said Licensing Official shall not issue a license unless such certificate
shall be presented. Application for a dog/cat license shall be made,
and the license obtained on or before May 1 of each year, for the
succeeding twelve-month period. The full license fee shall be paid
and collected for part of a year. The transfer of ownership or custody
of any dog/cat shall be reported to the Licensing Official by the
transferee within ten (10) days after such transfer, by written notice,
at which time the transferee shall pay the Licensing Official a transfer
fee of twenty-five cents ($.25). There shall be no charge for a license
for a dog properly trained to assist disabled persons when any such
dog is actually being used by a disabled person for the purpose of
aiding or assisting such disabled person in going place to place.
Any owner of a dog/cat who suffers the loss of his dog/cat license
tag shall report said loss promptly to the Licensing Official and
exhibit the original license at which time he shall be issued a new
license tag at a cost of twenty-five cents ($.25).
[CC §18.080; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974; Ord. No. 666 §4, 5-15-2000; Ord. No. 1060 §1, 3-16-2015]
A.
It shall be unlawful to keep, maintain or care for more than five
(5) dogs and/or cats on any residence or commercial establishment
within the City of St. John.
[CC §18.085; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974; Ord. No. 666 §5, 5-15-2000; Ord. No. 1030 §4, 3-7-2014]
In the event that a female dog/cat gives birth to a litter of puppies/kittens, the owner of said female dog/cat must remove such puppies/kittens or make provisions for the removal of such puppies/kittens within six (6) months after their birth so that the provisions of Section 205.040 are complied with.
[CC §18.090; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974; Ord. No. 666 §5, 5-15-2000]
The Clerk of the City of St. John shall have prepared dog/cat
license plates made of metal or other suitable material to be issued
to applicants securing a license. Such license plates shall be numbered
and the numbers thereon shall correspond to the number appearing on
the license and on the application for such license. Such license
plate shall be securely fastened on the collar or harness of the dog/cat
for which the license is issued, and shall be worn at all times.
[CC 18.100; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974; Ord. No. 666 §5, 5-15-2000]
All female dogs/cats shall be kept securely confined in an enclosed
place while in heat.
[CC §18.110; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974; Ord. No. 666 §5, 5-15-2000]
A.
The
St. Louis County Health Commissioner and the employees of the County
Department of Public Health or other persons designated by the City
of St. John, shall have the power to catch, confine and impound dogs/cats
and other animals as follows:
1.
All dogs/cats which are required to have licenses and which are without
a license displayed in the manner provided herein.
2.
All female dogs/cats, licensed or unlicensed, not securely confined
in an enclosed place while in heat.
3.
All dogs/cats or other animals affected with rabies and all dogs/cats
and other animals suspected by such persons to be exposed to or affected
with rabies, including dogs/cats or other animals known to have been
bitten by a rabid animal, whether such dog/cat or other animal is
running at large or on a leash and whether it is licensed or unlicensed.
4.
Dogs/cats or other animals impounded in accordance with this Section
shall be impounded in the County Dog/Cat Pound or elsewhere under
the supervision of and in a manner satisfactory to the City of St.
John.
[CC §18.120; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974; Ord. No. 666 §5, 5-15-2000]
The City of St. John and the St. Louis County Health Commissioner,
or a person designated by him, shall dispose of any dog/cat or other
animal affected with rabies and he shall have the power to examine
and impound any animal bitten or exposed to any animal affected with
rabies. He shall have the power to require the owners of such dogs/cats
to take necessary measures to prevent further spread of rabies, and
to dispose of any exposed animal if such necessary measures are not
take by the owners.
[CC §18.130; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974; Ord. No. 666 §6, 5-15-2000; Ord. No. 826 §1, 3-21-2005]
A.
Any non-rabid dog or cat captured and impounded as authorized by Section 205.080 may be redeemed by the owner upon the presentation of a proper license and upon payment of a redemption fee of two dollars ($2.00) and upon payment to the City of an impoundment fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first (1st) impoundment, fifty dollars ($50.00) for the second (2nd) impoundment, and one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each impoundment thereafter.
B.
If
the animal is not redeemed in the manner provided herein within five
(5) days after its capture and/or its release from quarantine, such
animal shall be disposed of as directed by the St. Louis County Health
Commissioner.
[CC §18.140; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974]
It is unlawful for any person to conceal an animal or interfere
with the agent of the City of St. John or the St. Louis County Health
Commissioner, or persons designated by him, in the performance of
their legal duties as provided in this Chapter. The agent of the City
of St. John or the St. Louis County Health Commissioner shall have
the right of entry to any unenclosed lots or lands for the purpose
of collecting any stray or unlicensed dogs or other animals.
[CC §18.150; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974]
It is unlawful for any person having ownership, control, management
or possession of any animal subject to rabies to abandon such animal
in the City of St. John.
[CC §18.160; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974]
A.
It
shall be the duty of any person bitten by any animal or the parent
or guardian of any minor child bitten by an animal to report the same
to the St. Louis County Department of Health immediately. Such report
shall contain the name and address of the owner and of the animal,
the day and time bitten, the location where bitten, and a general
description of the animal.
B.
The
City of St. John or the St. Louis County Health Commissioner shall
immediately take said animal into custody or have the same confined
by the owner thereof for ten (10) days under the supervision of the
Department of Public Health to determine whether such animal is affected
with rabies. If the owner shall not confine such animal in a manner
satisfactory to the St. Louis County Health Department, such animal
shall be forthwith surrendered to the St. Louis County Health Commissioner
or to a person or persons designated by him upon demand.
[CC §18.165; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974]
It shall be the duty of every physician to report immediately
to the St. Louis County Department of Public Health the full name,
age and address of any person under his care or observation who has
been bitten by an animal. Said physician shall report to the St. Louis
County Department of Public Health the license number of such animal
and the owner's name and address.
[CC §18.170; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974]
Any person destroying an animal affected with rabies or suspected
of being affected with rabies shall immediately notify the St. Louis
County Department of Public Health and shall surrender the carcass
of such animal upon demand. The owner or custodian of any such destroyed
animal shall immediately provide the St. Louis County Department of
Public Health with full particulars thereof, including the time, date,
location, the names and addresses of any person bitten by said animal,
and the name and address of the owner or person having custody of
any animal exposed to the animal destroyed.
[CC §18.180; Ord. No. 331, 5-16-1988]
A.
OWNER
UNCONFINED
VICIOUS DOG
1.
2.
3.
4.
As
used in this Section the following words shall have the meanings set
out herein:
Any person, firm, corporation, organization or department
possessing or harboring or having the care or custody of a dog. In
case a minor is the owner of such dog, the adult person in whose family
the minor lives or who is in charge of the premises where such dog
is kept, shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of
this Section.
A vicious dog is "unconfined" if the dog
is not securely confined indoors or confined in a securely enclosed
and locked pen or structure upon the premises of the owner of the
dog. The pen or structure must have secure sides and a secure top
attached to the sides. If the pen or structure has no bottom secured
to the sides, the sides must be embedded into the ground not less
than one (1) foot. All such pens or structures must be adequately
lighted and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
Any dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to
attack unprovoked, to cause injury to, or otherwise threaten the safety
of human beings or domestic animals; or
Any dog which because of its size, physical nature, or vicious
propensity is capable of inflicting serious physical harm or death
to humans and which would constitute a danger to human life or property
if it were not kept in the manner required by this Section; or
Any dog which, without provocation, attacks or bites, or has
attacked or bitten, a human being or domestic animal; or
Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose
of dog fighting, or any dog trained for dog fighting.
B.
Confinement. The owner of a vicious dog shall not suffer
or permit the dog to go unconfined.
C.
Leash and Muzzle. The owner of a vicious dog shall not suffer
or permit the dog to go beyond the premises of the owner unless the
dog is securely muzzled and restrained by a chain or leash, and under
the physical restraint of the person. The muzzle shall be made in
a manner that will not cause injury to the dog or interfere with its
vision or respiration, but shall prevent it from biting any human
or animal.
D.
Signs. The owner of a vicious dog shall display in a prominent
place on his or her premises a clearly visible warning sign indicating
that there is a vicious dog on the premises. A similar sign is required
to be posted on the pen or kennel of the animal.
E.
Dog Fighting. No person, firm, corporation, organization
or department shall possess or harbor or maintain care or custody
of any dog for the purpose of dog fighting, or train, torment, badger,
bait, or use any dog for the purpose of causing or encouraging the
dog to attack human beings or domestic animals.
F.
Insurance. Owners of vicious dogs must within thirty (30)
days of May 16, 1988, provide proof to the City Manager of public
liability insurance in the amount of at least twenty-five thousand
dollars ($25,000.00), insuring the owner for any personal injuries
inflicted by his or her vicious dog.
G.
Penalties. Whoever violates any provision of this Section
shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and may be punished for their
first (1st) offense by a fine not less than fifty dollars ($50.00)
nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) and for a second (2nd)
offense involving the same person and animal, by a fine not less than
two hundred dollars ($200.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).
[Ord. No. 1014 §1, 7-15-2013]
H.
Permanent Identification. Any dog deemed vicious under this
Section shall be required to have a microchip implanted in it for
identification purposes before it may be returned to the owner's premises.
[Ord. No. 1223, 8-16-2021]
A.
A person
is guilty of animal neglect when he has custody or ownership or both
of an animal and fails to provide adequate care or adequate control.
B.
Animal
neglect is a misdemeanor. All fines and penalties for a first (1st)
conviction of animal neglect may be waived by the court provided that
the person found guilty of animal neglect shows that adequate, permanent
remedies for the neglect have been made. Reasonable costs incurred
for the care and maintenance of neglected animals may not be waived.
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, RSMo.;
2.
Purposely, intentionally or recklessly causes injury, suffering,
or pain to an animal;
3.
Abandons an animal in any place without making provisions for its
adequate care;
4.
Overworks or overloads an animal, or drives or works an animal unfit
to work; or
5.
Having ownership or custody of an animal willfully fails to provide
adequate care or adequate control.
B.
Animal
abuse is a misdemeanor.
[CC §18.215; Ord. No. 470 §§1
— 2, 8-2-1993; Ord.
No. 818 §2, 12-20-2004]
A.
Every
person responsible for a dog, cat, puppy, kitten or other animal shall
keep it from creating a nuisance.
B.
A dog,
cat, puppy or kitten or any other animal creates a nuisance if it:
1.
Soils, defiles or defecates on its owner's property and the fecal
matter is not removed and properly disposed of within twenty-four
(24) hours.
2.
Damages public property or property belonging to a person other than
a person responsible for the animal.
3.
Causes unsanitary or dangerous conditions.
4.
Causes a disturbance by excessive barking, howling, meowing or other
noise-making.
5.
Chases vehicles, including bicycles.
6.
Molests, attacks, bites or interferes with persons or other animals
on public property or property not belonging to a person responsible
for the animal.
7.
Impedes refuse collection, mail delivery, or meter reading or other
public service activities by annoying persons responsible for such
activities.
8.
Tips, rummages through, or damages a refuse container.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Section 205.200, Exhibition of
Deformed Persons, Beasts and Fowls Prohibited, which derived from
CC § 18.200; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974, was repealed 3-21-2016 by
§ 1 of Ord. No. 1082.
[CC §18.205; Ord. No. 156, 1-7-1980; Ord. No. 666, 5-15-2000; Ord. No.
818 §1, 12-20-2004; Ord. No. 919 §1, 10-6-2008]
A.
It
shall be unlawful for any person owning, keeping or harboring any
animal to cause, permit or allow such animal to roam, run, stray,
or to be away from the premises of such person unless the animal is
under tethered control or kept inside a fenced area.
B.
It
shall be unlawful for the owner or handler of any animal to fail to
remove and properly dispose of fecal matter deposited by their animal
on public property, public easement, or private property of another
before the owner or handler leaves the immediate area where the fecal
matter was deposited.
C.
Proper
disposal of animal fecal matter shall consist of placing said fecal
matter in a sealed bag and placing in a trash container, or flushing
the fecal matter down a toilet that empties to a sanitary sewer.
D.
It
shall be unlawful to tether an unattended dog in front of the front
building line of a residence or business in the City or in such a
way that the tethered dog can reach any right-of-way adjoining the
residence or business.
[CC §18.210; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974]
In any prosecution charging a violation of Section 205.210 hereunder, proof that a dog was running off the premises in violation of said Section, together with proof that the defendant named in the Complaint was, at the time described in the Complaint, the owner or keeper of such dog, shall constitute a prima facie presumption that said owner or keeper was the person who permitted said dog to go off the premises.
[CC §18.215; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974]
The City of St. John or the St. Louis County Department of Public
Health shall be responsible for the administration of this Chapter,
and shall have and possess all the powers necessary to the effective
administration and enforcement thereof. The dog licenses shall be
issued and the fees collected therefore by the City Clerk of the City
of St. John.
[CC §18.220; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974; Ord. No. 514 §§1 — 2, 5-15-1995]
All violations of this Chapter will fall under the general penalty code, Section 100.010 of this Code.
[CC §18.230; Ord. No. 25, 10-7-1974]
The City of St. John is hereby authorized to enter into a written
contract with the St. Louis County Health Department for the purpose
of putting into effect the provisions of this Chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note — Ord. no. 826 §2 adopted March 21,
2005, repealed section 205.260 "Impoundment of Animal — Fees"
in its entirety. Former section 205.260 derived from CC §18.240;
ord. no. 162, 3-17-80; ord. no. 666 §7, 5-15-00. This section
has been reserved for the city's future use.
