[R.O. 2012 §210.010; Ord. No. 1828 §1]
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AT LARGE
Off the premises of the owner and not under the control of the owner or a member of his/her immediate family or a person charged with its care either by leash or otherwise.
OWNER
Any person, firm or corporation owning, harboring, or keeping a dog, fowl or other animal.
[R.O. 2012 §210.020; Ord. No. 1828 §§2, 3]
No dog, fowl, or other animal shall be permitted to run at large within the City limits of Bloomfield, Missouri. This restriction shall not prohibit the appearance of any dog or other domesticated animal upon the streets or public property when such a dog is on a leash or is kept under the immediate control of the person charged with its care.
[R.O. 2012 §210.030; Ord. No. 1828 §4; Ord. No. 73.040; Ord. No. 3241 §1, 4-25-2011; Ord. No. 3258 §1, 7-23-2012]
The Chief of Police or such other person as shall be designated by the Mayor shall impound any dog, fowl, or other animal found running at large and written notice of the impounding shall be given to the owner of such dog, fowl or other animal, if known, and the owner, after receiving notice, shall have seven (7) days to claim such dog, fowl or other animal to pay pound fees. If the owner is unknown, such officer shall post notice at the pound and at the City Hall that if the dog, fowl or other animal is not claimed by a certain time and date, said time and date being seven (7) days after the impoundment, said dog, fowl or other animal will be placed for adoption or disposed of in a humane manner. If such dog, fowl, or other animal is not claimed within the time specified and all fees and charges paid, the Chief of Police or such other person designated by the Mayor shall place such dog, fowl or other animal for adoption or dispose of such dog, fowl or other animal in a humane manner. If any dog, fowl or other animal is found running at large and impounded on five (5) separate occasions, the Chief of Police or such other person designated by the Mayor shall place such dog, fowl or other animal for adoption or dispose of such dog, fowl or other animal in a humane manner. The impounded dog, fowl or other animal shall be housed and fed in a humane manner at the pound. An impounding fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) and a charge of five dollars ($5.00) per day for feeding shall be charged for any dog, fowl or other animal held at the pound.
[R.O. 2012 §210.040; Ord. No. 1828 §5]
Upon taking up and impounding any dog, fowl or other animal and if the owner is unknown, the officer impounding such dog, fowl or other animal shall immediately post at the pound and at the City Hall a notice of impounding in substantially the following form:
NOTICE OF IMPOUNDING (DOG) (FOWL) (DESCRIPTION OF SUCH OTHER ANIMAL)
DATE:
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I have this day taken up and impounded in the Pound of the City of Bloomfield, Missouri, a _____________________ answering to the following description:
Sex:
Approximate Age:
Color:
Name of Owner:
Breed:
Notice is hereby given that unless said __________________________ is claimed and redeemed on or before __________ o'clock _____ M. on the ______ day of ________________, 20 _____, the same will be killed as provided by ordinance.
[R.O. 2012 §210.050; Ord. No. 1828 §7]
The City Pound shall be located in or near Bloomfield. The Chief of Police or such other person as designated by the Mayor shall be Pound Master and shall attend to the maintenance of such Pound, and present a proper claim to the Board of Aldermen monthly for the necessary expenses which he/she may incur in so doing, and if allowed by the Board of Aldermen, shall be paid by the Treasurer.
[R.O. 2012 §210.055; Ord. No. 3237 §2, 2-15-2011]
It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to break open the pound or to attempt to do so, or to take or let out any dog, cat or other animal therefrom, or to take or attempt to take from any City Officer any dog, cat or other animal taken up by such officer in compliance with this Chapter or in any manner to interfere with or hinder such officer in the discharge of that officer's duties under this Chapter.
[R.O. 2012 §210.060; Ord. No. 2020 §8; Ord. No. 3237 §1, 2-15-2011]
No person shall own, keep or harbor upon his/her premises any dog, cat or other animal that by loud or frequent or habitual barking, yelping or howling, or by threat of attack or biting, causes fear or annoyance to neighbors or to persons passing upon the streets or sidewalks, and the same is also hereby declared to be a public nuisance.
[Ord. No. 2022-05, 4-19-2022]
Any owner, keeper or handler of any dog, cat or other animal shall promptly remove and dispose of all feces left by such animal on any public property and/or any private property not owned by or lawfully occupied by such person.
[Ord. No. 2022-05, 4-19-2022]
A. 
All persons are prohibited from bringing any kind of animal, other than a service animal, whether leashed or unleashed, onto the premises of the designated sporting areas in the City Park.
B. 
Any person who is convicted of violation of this Section shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each such violation.
[R.O. 2012 §210.070; Ord. No. 1828 §9]
It is unlawful for any unauthorized person to break open the Pound or to attempt to do so, or to take or let out any dogs, fowl, or other animals therefrom, or to take or attempt to take from any officer any dog, fowl or other animals taken up by such officer in compliance with this Chapter or in any manner to interfere with or hinder such officer in the discharge of his/her duties under this Chapter.
[R.O. 2012 §210.080; Ord. No. 1828 §10; Ord. No. 3237 §1, 2-15-2011]
No person in the City shall poison any dog or cat or distribute poison in any manner whatsoever with the intent or for the purpose of poisoning any dog or cat.
[R.O. 2012 §210.090; Ord. No. 1828 §11]
A. 
It shall be unlawful to feed any animal unwholesome or unsuitable food, or unclean water to drink which is likely to cause or produce disease in the animal.
B. 
No person shall put any push, ashes, hot water or other torturous materials upon; beat, wound, maltreat, torture or inflict unnecessary pain or needlessly or cruelly maim, mutilate or kill any animal, nor shall any person give, sell, lend, barter or otherwise knowingly furnish any instrument, means, compound or other thing to be used for the purpose of maltreating, torturing, maiming or killing any dog, fowl, or other animal.
A. 
A person commits the offense of animal neglect if he or she:
1. 
Has custody or ownership of an animal and fails to provide adequate care; or
2. 
Knowingly abandons an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate care.
B. 
All fines and penalties for a first finding of guilt under this Section may be waived by the court if 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. This Section shall not apply to the provisions of Section 578.007, RSMo., or Chapter 272, RSMo.
C. 
In addition to any other penalty imposed by this Section 578.009, RSMo., the court may order a person found guilty of animal neglect to pay all reasonable costs and expenses necessary for:
1. 
The care and maintenance of neglected animals within the person's custody or ownership;
2. 
The disposal of any dead or diseased animals within the person's custody or ownership;
3. 
The reduction of resulting organic debris affecting the immediate area of the neglect; and
4. 
The avoidance or minimization of any public health risks created by the neglect of the animals.
A. 
A person commits the offense of animal abuse if he or she:
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 and 273.030, RSMo.;
2. 
Purposely or intentionally causes injury or suffering to an animal; or
3. 
Having ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails to provide adequate care which results in substantial harm to the animal.
[1]
Note: Under certain circumstances this offense can be a felony under state law.
[R.O. 2012 §210.097; Ord. No. 3237 §2, 2-15-2011]
No person in the City shall maintain any place where fowl or animals are suffered to fight upon exhibition or for sport or upon any wager.
[R.O. 2012 §210.100; Ord. No. 1828 §12]
Every person keeping or harboring any dog, fowl or other animal shall keep or cause to be kept all manure or offal therefrom which shall be deposited or accumulated for such animal, securely or closely confined in such a manner as will prevent it from being scattered from such place of deposit into or upon any street, sidewalk, alley or gutter of the City; and shall so care for it as to prevent any malodorous or offensive condition to exist and to prevent any nuisance to arise therefrom.
[R.O. 2012 §210.110; Ord. No. 1828 §13]
A. 
No person shall deposit, throw or place any dead or fatally sick or injured dog, fowl or other animal, or part thereof, on any public place or private premises or in any sewer or drainage ditch.
B. 
It shall be the duty of the City to pick up and dispose of all dead animals and fowl on the public streets or public places.
[R.O. 2012 §210.120; Ord. No. 1828 §14]
A. 
It shall be the duty of any person owning, controlling, possessing or having the management or care, in whole or in part, of any dog to apply to the City Clerk and obtain a dog license tag on or before the first day of April of each and every year, for which license the City Clerk is hereby authorized to charge the sum of five dollars ($5.00) annually for all types of dogs. It is hereby declared an ordinance violation for any such person to neglect, fail or refuse to pay such license fee and secure the metal tag of suitable design and inscribed with the words "BLOOMFIELD D.L.T." with the year of issuance and to keep the same securely attached to the animal by means of a collar or harness of substantial make and condition, said metal tag to be numbered from one (1) upwards; provided that no metal tag shall be issued unless the applicant therefor presents a certification of inoculation of such dog against rabies from a licensed veterinarian showing inoculation during the previous twelve (12) months period; provided further, that such inoculation requirement shall not apply to any dog less than six (6) months of age.
B. 
All dogs found within the City without a license tag marked as herein provided and an inoculation tag issued by a duly licensed veterinarian showing vaccination against rabies within the previous twelve (12) months shall be considered as strays and shall be impounded in the City Pound. Notice shall be given to the owner, if known, as provided in Section 210.030. Before the owner of such dog shall be permitted to remove the dog from the Pound, the owner shall obtain a dog license tag and he/she shall also deposit a sufficient amount of money with the Pound Master to cover the expense of inoculation. Thereafter, the Pound Master shall take the dog to a licensed veterinarian and have the same inoculation against rabies.
[R.O. 2012 §210.125; Ord. No. 3237 §2, 2-15-2011]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, harbor or allow to be in or upon his/her premises any of the following breeds of dog:
1. 
Bull Terrier breed of dog;
2. 
Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog;
3. 
American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog;
4. 
American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog;
5. 
Dogs of mixed breed or of other breeds than above listed, which breed or mixed breed is known as "Pit Bulls," "Pit Bull dogs" or "Pit Bull Terriers"; and
6. 
Any dog that has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier any other breed commonly known as "Pit Bulls," "Pit Bull dogs" or "Pit Bull Terriers" or a combination of any of these breeds.
[R.O. 2012 §210.130; Ord. No. 1828 §15; Ord. No. 3237 §1, 2-15-2011]
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, own or in any way possess within the City limits of Bloomfield, Missouri, any dangerous, annoying or vicious dog, cat or other animal. Any dog, cat or other animal that has attacked any person, or which has bitten any person, or which habitually attacks other dogs, cats or animals in the City is declared to be dangerous and may be impounded in accordance with Section 205.030. If a dog, cat or other animal found running at large in violation of this Chapter of the City Code cannot safely be taken up and impounded, the Chief of Police of the City of Bloomfield or any of his/her deputies or assistants may kill the same.
[R.O. 2012 §210.140; Ord. No. 1828 §16]
No person shall own, keep, harbor or allow to be in or upon his/her premises any undomesticated animal unless such animal is securely confined within and enclosure upon such premises; and in addition, unless there is in a conspicuous place upon such premises a sign with letters at least two (2) inches high containing the following words: "BEWARE OF (DESCRIPTION OF THE ANIMAL)."
[R.O. 2012 §210.145; Ord. No. 3237 §2, 2-15-2011]
No person, firm or corporation shall keep or maintain any chicken or chickens, hog or hogs, cow or cows, pony or ponies, horse or horses, sheep, or goat or goats within the limits of this City. The keeping or maintaining of such animal or animals within the limits of this City shall constitute a nuisance.
[R.O. 2012 §210.150; Ord. No. 1828 §17]
Any dog, fowl or other animal which bites, scratches or otherwise injury a person and has not been inoculated against rabies within the twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of injury or is believed to have rabies or has been bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies shall be impounded in the City Pound and shall be placed under the observation of a veterinarian at the expense of the owner for a period of two (2) weeks. At its own discretion, the City is empowered to have such dog, fowl or other animal placed in a veterinary hospital or clinic and there placed under observation for a period of two (2) weeks at the expense of the owner of such dog, fowl or other animal.
[R.O. 2012 §210.160; Ord. No. 1828 §18]
All dogs, fowl or other animals which are affected with rabies shall be put to death by the Pound Master.
Whenever rabies becomes prevalent in the City, the Mayor shall, according to the necessity of the case, issue a quarantine order, requiring every owner or person in charge of any dog or dogs within the limits of the City, to either kill or impound his/her dog or dogs, or to have such dog or dogs immunized. Said order shall be published once in the paper officially publishing the business of the City; and in the absence of such paper, shall be posted as in case of sales of personal property. The Mayor is authorized by proclamation, to terminate any such quarantine whenever, in his/her judgment, the necessity for it no longer exists.
[R.O. 2012 §210.165; Ord. No. 3072, 11-13-1996]
No person shall own, keep, harbor or allow to be in or upon his/her premises any exotic animal or reptile which is by nature an undomesticated animal or reptile and which by nature has a dangerous, vicious, or ferocious disposition.
[R.O. 2012 §210.180; Ord. No. 3075 §§1 — 3, 2-5-1997; Ord. No. 3237 §2, 2-15-2011]
A. 
Dangerous Wild Animals Prohibited. No person may keep any lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, hyena, wolf, bear, non-human primate, coyote, any deadly, dangerous, or poisonous reptile, or any deadly or dangerous reptile over eight (8) feet long, in any place other than a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital, or animal refuge.
B. 
Pit Bull Terriers. See Section 205.170 for regulations concerning Pit Bull Terriers.
The parent or guardian of a minor child is responsible for the adequate care of any animal owned by, in the control of, or harbored by that minor child.
A. 
A person is guilty of animal trespass if a person having ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails to provide adequate control for a period equal to or exceeding twelve (12) hours.
B. 
For a first conviction of animal trespass, each offense shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00). The second and all subsequent convictions shall be punishable by imprisonment or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), or both such fine and imprisonment. All fines for a first conviction of animal trespass may be waived by the court provided that the person found guilty of animal trespass shows that adequate, permanent remedies for trespass have been made. Reasonable costs incurred for the care and maintenance of trespassing animals may not be waived. This Section shall not apply to the provisions of Section 578.007 or Sections 272.010 to 272.370, RSMo.
A. 
A person commits the offense of knowingly releasing an animal if that person, acting without the consent of the owner or custodian of an animal, intentionally releases any animal that is lawfully confined for the purpose of companionship or protection of persons or property or for recreation, exhibition or educational purposes.
B. 
As used in this Section, "animal" means every living creature, domesticated or wild, but not including Homo sapiens.
C. 
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a public servant acting in the course of such servant's official duties.
[1]
Note: Under certain circumstances this offense can be a felony under state law.