[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:
1. 
Dogs and cats not wearing a valid, unexpired vaccination-registration tag as required in Section 205.100 and dogs and cats not wearing a valid City license tag as required in Section 205.090.
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.
7. 
Bad animals which are not confined in the manner prescribed in Sections 205.210 which have at any time escaped from confinement as required in Section 205.130 whether or not the animals are so confined at the time of impounding.
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:
1. 
It is attached to a leash held by a person that is capable of and is in fact controlling the dog or puppy in question.
2. 
It is within a vehicle from which the animal cannot escape while the vehicle is being driven, parked or stopped.
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.