[CC 2000 §5-3-6; Ord. No. 1023 §6, 12-17-2001]
A.
Every
person who is responsible for any puppy or kitten shall have such
puppy or kitten vaccinated against rabies and registered as provided
in this Section on or before the puppy or kitten reaches four (4)
months of age, but not earlier than three (3) months of age.
B.
Every
dog and cat shall be vaccinated as indicated by the Compendium. No
dog or cat shall be exempted from this Section due to advanced age.
C.
At
the time of the vaccination of any dog or cat, the veterinarian shall
deliver a rabies vaccination tag and rabies vaccination certificate
to the person responsible for the dog or cat. It is the responsibility
of every person responsible for a dog or cat to attach the tag to
the collar or harness of the vaccinated dog or cat and determine that
such collar or harness is worn by that dog or cat at all times when
the animal is outside the residence of a person responsible for the
dog or cat. Any dog or cat found without a tag may be deemed to be
not vaccinated under this Chapter.
D.
A copy
of the certificate given to a person responsible for the dog or cat
shall be retained by the person responsible for the dog or cat for
inspection by the Chief of Police or his/her authorized representative
or any Police Officer.
[CC 2000 §5-3-7; Ord. No. 1023 §7, 12-17-2001; Ord. No. 1037 §1, 8-19-2002; Ord. No. 1044 §1, 11-16-2002; Ord. No. 1246, 1-20-2015]
A.
License Required.
1.
The person responsible for a dog or cat shall register said
animal with the City by showing proof of current rabies vaccination
of said animal and for a fee of ten dollars ($10.00) obtain a license
for said dog or cat. The receipt issued shall constitute a certificate
of registry and evidence of licensing for the keeping of such dog
or cat within the City. The license shall be affixed to the dog or
cat collar or harness at all times. The fee of ten dollars ($10.00)
shall be waived for a fully trained ADA assistance dog regularly used
in the service of a blind person or for a dog owned by a government
unit.
2.
Any person who fails to get a pet license as required under
this Section shall pay a late fee of five dollars ($5.00) in addition
to the license fee of ten dollars ($10.00). This fee shall not be
assessed if a summons has been issued and the individual has paid
court costs and fines.
B.
A dog or cat brought into the City which has been vaccinated in accordance
with the requirements of the Compendium shall be licensed within thirty
(30) days of initial entry into the City. All other dogs or cats brought
into the City shall be vaccinated and licensed immediately. This licensing
shall be accomplished in either of the following ways:
1.
A person responsible for the dog or cat may have the animal
vaccinated by a veterinarian.
2.
A person responsible for the dog or cat may present a valid
vaccination registration certificate from a licensed veterinarian
licensed by a state of the United States (regardless of whether that
veterinarian has been licensed in Missouri) to a veterinarian which
registers dogs and cats for St. Louis County. Any person who has not
obtained a pet license as required in this Section but makes application
for and obtains the license prior to receiving a summons from the
City of Vinita Park Municipal Court shall be required to pay a late
fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) per license, per animal.
3.
Upon presentation of such a document, the person responsible
for the animal shall be issued a license, to expire December 31 of
the year, upon payment of the license fee established in this Section.
C.
The City may hold inoculation clinics for the purpose of obtaining
compliance with this Section.
[CC 2000 §5-3-8; Ord. No. 1023 §8, 12-17-2001]
A.
Registration
tags shall not be transferred from one animal to another animal.
B.
No
person shall affix a license tag to a dog or cat other than the dog
or cat for which the tag was issued at the time of its rabies vaccination-registration.
C.
No
person shall affix a license tag to a dog or cat that has not been
vaccinated against rabies.
D.
No
person shall counterfeit, alter, obliterate or attempt to counterfeit,
alter or obliterate any rabies tag or license tag.
[CC 2000 §5-3-9; Ord. No. 1023 §9, 12-17-2001]
A.
The
Chief of Police or other persons designated by him/her shall have
the power to impound dogs and cats and other animals as follows:
2.
All dogs, cats, registered or unregistered, not securely confined
in an enclosed place, while in heat or estrus.
3.
All dogs, cats, puppies and kittens or other animals which are at large contrary to the requirements of Section 205.160 or which have been at large and are immediately pursued by an employee of the City, regardless of whether the animal is at large at the time it is apprehended.
4.
All dogs, cats, puppies and kittens for which there is no person
apparently responsible.
5.
All dogs, cats and other animals exposed to or suspected to be exposed
to or infected with rabies, including dogs, cats or other animals
known to have been bitten by a rabid animal, whether the dog, cat
or other animal to be impounded is at large or on a leash or whether
it is confined to its owner's premises or whether it is vaccinated.
6.
Dogs and cats which have not been vaccinated within the seventy-two (72) hour period following release from any impounding facility as required by Section 205.130.
8.
Dogs and cats not vaccinated for rabies.
9.
Unconfined animals in quarantine areas.
10.
Dogs, cats or other animals which have bitten a person or animal.
11.
Dogs, cats, puppies and kittens for which there is no responsible
person who can provide adequate shelter or food.
12.
Animals whose owners have voluntarily and intentionally relinquished
control to the Chief of Police.
[CC 2000 §5-3-10; Ord. No. 1023 §10, 12-17-2001]
A.
Dogs,
cats and other animals impounded pursuant to this Section shall be
impounded in the City animal shelter or the St. Louis County animal
shelter.
B.
A person
responsible for a dog or cat which been impounded under this Article
who wishes to have it returned to him/her shall request the return
of the animal within five (5) days (including Sundays and holidays)
of impounding.
C.
If
the Chief of Police is of the opinion that such release will not impair
the safety of the public, the animal will be returned to a person
responsible for it who makes such a request upon payment of a shelter
service fee for any costs incurred for the sheltering of the animal.
[CC 2000 §5-3-11; Ord. No. 1023 §11, 12-17-2001]
A.
If an animal is not claimed in the manner provided in Section 205.120 within five (5) days (including Sundays and holidays), such animal may be transferred to a humane adoption group approved by the Chief of Police or such other manner as is approved by the Chief of Police.
B.
If
an animal which is subject to the vaccination requirement of this
Article is returned to a person responsible for it following impoundment
and is not currently vaccinated, the animal must be vaccinated by
a veterinarian selected by the person responsible for the animal following
the release of the animal upon the following conditions:
1.
The person responsible for the animal shall have the animal vaccinated
within seventy-two (72) hours following return of the animal to him/her.
Proof of vaccination to the City is also required. Failure to so vaccinate
the animal shall be a separate violation of this Article and will
subject the animal to further impoundment until the vaccination registration
is completed.
2.
Every animal impounded under provisions of this Article 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.
[CC 2000 §5-3-12; Ord. No. 1023 §12, 12-17-2001]
No person shall make any false representation to any person
employed or otherwise working at a place or impounding for the purpose
of obtaining possession of an animal to which he/she is not legally
entitled.
[CC 2000 §5-3-23; Ord. No. 1023 §23, 12-17-2001]
No person shall own, keep or harbor any dog or other animal
which, by jumping upon or threatening persons upon public streets,
shall cause persons to be put in fear of injury.
[CC 2000 §5-3-24; Ord. No. 1023 §24, 12-17-2001]
A.
Every
person responsible for a dog, cat or other animal shall keep it from
being at large as defined below.
B.
A dog
or puppy is "at large" when it is outside a cage or building from
which it cannot escape unless:
C.
A dog
or cat is "at large" if it is not kept securely confined while in
heat or estrus. A dog or cat in heat or estrus is confined within
the meaning of this paragraph only if:
1.
It is kept in the 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, briefly, for toilet
purposes only.
3.
Any animal other than a dog or cat 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.
D.
Above
does not apply to animals:
1.
While being used in hunting, field trials and dog shows while on
public land set aside for those purposes;
2.
Used for tracking in conjunction with Police activities;
3.
Of the Canine Corps of any Police force of the City of St. Louis,
St. Louis County, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, any Federal Law
Enforcement Agency or the Armed Forces of the Untied States while
being used to conduct official business or being used for official
purposes.
|
|
Notwithstanding any provision of the above, animals which are
trained to assist persons with impaired sight, hearing or with other
disabilities are not at large when accompanying a person they are
trained to assist.
|
[CC 2000 §5-3-25; Ord. No. 1023 §25, 12-17-2001]
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 urban property other than property
of a person responsible for the animal unless such waste is immediately
removed by a person responsible for the animal and deposited in a
waste container or buried on ground where the person responsible for
the animal has permission or the right to bury it;
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
noisemaking;
5.
Chases vehicles, including bicycles;
6.
Molests, attacks, bites or interferes with persons or other animals
on public property belonging to a person annoying persons responsible
for the animal;
7.
Impeded 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.
C.
For the purpose of Subsection (B) above, "urban property" is:
1.
Property in areas developed for industrial uses;
2.
Property in areas developed for commercial uses; or
3.
Property in areas developed for residential uses except those residential
neighborhoods developed solely with detached single-family dwellings
on lots larger than seven thousand five hundred (7,500) square feet.
4.
Property in areas with mixed uses shall be treated as urban property.
[CC 2000 §5-3-27; Ord. No. 1023 §27, 12-17-2001]
Every pen, run, cage or other yard establishment wherein any
dog is kept shall be maintained so that no offensive, disagreeable
or noxious smell or odor shall arise therefrom to the injury, annoyance
or inconvenience of any neighbor. Every pen, run, cage or other yard
enclosure shall be located at a minimum distance of fifty (50) feet
away from the next nearest adjoining residence or dwelling.
[CC 2000 §5-3-28; Ord. No. 1023 §28, 12-17-2001]
A.
All
manure accumulation in any pen, run, cage or yard establishment wherein
a dog is kept shall be removed or disposed of in such a manner as
to prevent the breeding of flies.
B.
It
shall be unlawful for the person in control of a dog or other animal
to allow the dog or other animal to deposit manure on public property
or on the private property of another person.
C.
The
owner or keeper of every animal, when such animal is off the property
controlled by the owner or keeper, shall be responsible for the removal
of any excreta deposited by such animal on public walks, streets,
recreation areas or private property; and it shall be a violation
of this Section for such owner or keeper to fail to remove or provide
for the removal of such excreta before taking an animal from the immediate
area where such excretion occurred.
[CC 2000 §5-3-29; Ord. No. 1023 §29, 12-17-2001]
It shall be unlawful and a public nuisance for any person in
charge of a residence to keep or allow to be kept more than three
(3) dogs or three (3) cats or any combination of such animals exceeding
three (3) in number over the age of ninety (90) days at such residence
unless the residence is zoned agricultural pursuant to the zoning
ordinances of Vinita Park, Missouri.
[CC 2000 §5-3-22; Ord. No. 1023 §22, 12-17-2001]
A.
Vicious Animal Definition. A "vicious animal" shall mean any animal that constitutes a physical threat to human
beings or other animals or has a disposition or propensity to attack
or bite any person or other animal without provocation or which is
wild by nature and of a species which, due to size, vicious nature
or other characteristics, constitutes a danger to human life, physical
well-being or property; or any animal which has been known to bite
or attack a human being or other domestic animal, without provocation,
one (1) or more times; or any animal which, when unprovoked, chases
or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks or any public grounds
or any private property other than the property of the owner in a
menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, regardless of whether
or not the person is injured by the said animal.
B.
Confinement Required. The person responsible for a dangerous animal shall not permit the animal to go unconfined as defined in this Section, except as permitted in Subsection (C) (Muzzle Animal). All vicious animals shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed and muzzled as above provided. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secure sides and secure top attached to the sides. All structures used to confine a vicious animal 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 not less than one (1) foot. All structures erected to house the vicious animal must comply with all zoning and regulations of the City. All such structures must be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition. No vicious animal may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the animal to exit such building on its own volition. In addition, no such animal may be kept in a house or structure when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the vicious animal from exiting the structure.
C.
Leash And Muzzle Animal. The person responsible for a dangerous
animal shall not permit the animal to be unconfined unless the animal
is securely muzzled. No person shall permit a vicious animal to be
kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or
pen unless the person is in physical control of the leash and the
animal. Such an animal may not be leashed to objects such as trees,
posts, buildings, etc. In addition, any vicious animal on a leash
outside the animal's kennel must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient
to prevent the animal from biting persons or other animals. The muzzle
shall be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the animal
or interfere with its vision or breathing, but it shall prevent the
animal from biting any human being.
D.
Insurance. All owners, keepers or harborers of vicious
animals with thirty (30) days of the effective date of the ordinance
codified in this Section must provide the City Clerk proof of public
liability insurance in a single incident amount of one million dollars
($1,000,000.00) for bodily injury to or death of any person or persons
or for damage to property owned by any persons which may result from
the ownership, keeping and maintenance of such animal. Such an insurance
policy shall provide that no cancellation of the policy will be made
unless ten (10) days' written notice by the insurance provider is
first given to the City Clerk of the City of Vinita Park. The City
Clerk must have on file a letter from the insurance provider that
the above conditions will be met prior to cancellation of a policy
to the owner of the insured vicious animal.
E.
Signs. The person responsible for a vicious animal shall
display a "vicious animal" symbol and warning sign on his/her property
visible from the street and on all sides of the pen or structure confining
said animal. Said sign shall state "Beware — Vicious Animal
on Property" or a similar phrase. The lettering on the sign shall
be at least (3) inches high.
F.
Exemption. No animal may be declared dangerous if the threat,
injury or damage was sustained by a person who, at the time, was committing
or attempting to commit a crime.
G.
Dangerous Animals Found To Be Unconfined Or Not Properly Muzzled. Any dangerous animal found to be unconfined or not securely muzzled
and under restrain as defined by this Chapter may be seized by any
public officer or Animal Control Officer and the owner of the animal
may be brought to trial for the violation of the provisions of this
Chapter. Upon establishment by a preponderance of the evidence that
the said animal is a "danger animal" and was found to be unconfined
or not securely muzzled and under restraint as defined by this Chapter,
the court may order such animal to be euthanized. In addition, the
owner shall be subject to such penalties as authorized by ordinance.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Chapter, any dangerous
animal found to be unconfined or not securely muzzled and under restraint
as defined by this Chapter shall remain impounded until the court
makes a determination as to whether the said animal is a "dangerous
animal" and was found to be unconfined or not securely muzzled and
under restraint as defined by this Chapter.
H.
Identification Collar. All dangerous animals shall wear
a bright orange collar so that the animal can be readily identified
as a dangerous animal at all times.
I.
Reporting Requirements. All owners, keepers or harborers
of a vicious animal must, within ten (10) days of any of the following
incidents, report said information in writing to the City Clerk:
1.
The removal from the City or the death of a vicious animal,
2.
The birth of offspring of a vicious animal,
3.
The new address of a vicious animal, should the owner move from one
address within the corporate City limits to another address within
the corporate City limits,
4.
The bodily injury to or death of a person caused by the vicious animal.
J.
Sale Or Transfer of Ownership. No person shall sell, barter
or in any other way dispose of a vicious animal to any person within
the City, provided that the owner of the vicious animal may sell or
otherwise dispose of the vicious animal or offspring of such vicious
animal to persons who do not reside within the City of Vinita Park.
K.
Animal Born Of Vicious Animals Registered Hereunder. All
offspring born of vicious animals within the City of Vinita Park must
be removed from the City within six (6) weeks of their birth.
L.
Failure To Comply. It is unlawful for the owner, keeper
or harborer of a vicious animal within the City of Vinita Park to
fail to comply with the limitations, requirements and conditions set
forth in this Section. Any vicious animal found to be the subject
of a violation of this Section shall be subject of a revocation of
the license and/or registration of the animal and immediate seizure
and impoundment. The owner of the vicious animal shall be required
to take necessary action to dispose of such a vicious animal and the
Chief of Police is further authorized to dispose of such vicious animal
if necessary action is not taken by the owner.
M.
Violation And Penalties. Any person violating or permitting
the violation of any provision of this Section shall, upon conviction
in Municipal Court, be fined a sum of not less than five hundred dollars
($500.00) and not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). In addition
to the fine imposed, the court may sentence the defendant to imprisonment
in the St. Louis County Jail or other authorized penal institution
for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days. In addition, the court
shall order the registration of the subject vicious animal revoked
and the vicious animal removed from the City, the Municipal Court
Judge shall find the defendant in contempt and order the immediate
confiscation and impoundment of the vicious animal. Each day that
a violation of this Section continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
In addition to the foregoing penalties, any person who violates this
Section shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, handling,
veterinary care and testimony, necessitated by the enforcement of
this Section.
N.
In
accordance with Section 578.021, RSMo., any bad animal found off the
premises of a person responsible for it and not confined as indicated
above may be seized by any Police Officer or other agent authorized
by the Chief of Police unless the animal is off the premises as permitted
by above. Any bad animal which has escaped from its fenced enclosure
may be impounded by the Chief of Police, whether or not it has been
returned to its enclosure at the time of impoundment. If impounded
pursuant to this Subsection, the animal shall not be returned to a
person responsible for it unless a court so orders.
[Ord. No. 1114 §§1 —
2, 2-26-2007]
A.
No
person shall within the City raise, maintain or possess within his
or her custody or control of a dog of the "pit bull" breed.
B.
"Pit bull" breed is defined to mean any dog descending from
the following bloodlines: Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit
Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier or any mixed breed of
dog which contains as an element in its breeding the breed of Staffordshire
Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Tether and/or American Staffordshire
Terrier as to be identifiable as partially of the breed Staffordshire
Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier.
Furthermore, "pit bull" breed is defined to mean
any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly
of the breeds Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier
and/or American Staffordshire Terrier and any other breeds known as
Pit Bulls, Pit Bull Dogs and/or Pit Bull Terriers or a combination
of any of these breeds thereof.
