The following words when used in this Chapter shall have the meanings set out herein.
DOGS or CATS
Shall be held and construed to mean all animals of the canine or feline species, both male and female.
OWNER or KEEPER
Shall be held and construed to mean any person having a right of property in a dog or cat, or who keeps or harbors a dog or cat, or who has it in his/her care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog or cat to remain on or about any premises owned or occupied by him/her.
PIT BULL DOG
Shall be held and construed to mean any and all of the following dogs:
1. 
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dogs.
2. 
The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dogs.
3. 
The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dogs.
4. 
Dogs which have the appearance and characteristics of being predominately of the breeds of the dogs known as Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier.
RUNNING AT LARGE
Shall be held and construed to mean suffering a dog or cat to be off the private premises of the owner or keeper, or his/her agent or servant, and not on a leash or confined to the arms, motor vehicle, trailer or other conveyance of the owner or keeper, his/her agent or servant.
SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY
Shall be held and construed to mean physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes serious disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part of the body.
TRESPASSER
Shall be held and construed to mean a person upon the premises of the owner or keeper of the dog in question without license or privilege to be upon said premises.
UNRESTRAINED DOG
Shall be held and construed to mean any dog running at large, or, a dog on the premises of its owner or keeper but not confined to said premises by a leash, fence, structure or other means, that would prevent the dog from leaving such premises.
VICIOUS DOG
Shall be held and construed to mean any of the following dogs:
1. 
Any dog, whether or not running at large, and whether or not unrestrained, that without provocation has bitten any person not a trespasser causing serious physical injury to that person.
2. 
Any unrestrained dog, whether or not running at large, that without provocation has attempted to bite any person not a trespasser which would cause serious physical injury to that person.
3. 
Any unrestrained dog, whether or not running at large, that without provocation has placed any person not a trespasser in apprehension of immediate serious physical injury.
4. 
Any dog that has killed another dog, cat or other domestic animal without provocation.
The owner or keeper of any dog or cat in the City of Lockwood, is hereby required to have such animals vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian and to procure a certificate of such vaccination from the veterinarian and to present such certificate to the City Clerk on or before June thirtieth (30th) of each year; and the City Clerk shall register such certificate, which registration shall remain in force until the June thirtieth (30th) next following said registration; and upon registration, the City Clerk shall issue a tag evidencing the registration and certificate of vaccination, and the owner or keeper shall securely attach the tag so issued to a collar to be worn continuously by the animal for which the tag was issued. It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog or cat to permit such animal to remain in the City of Lockwood unless wearing the tag above provided for herein.
[Ord. No. A-611, 5-9-2022]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog or cat to permit the same to run at large within the City of Lockwood at any time. Any dog or cat found without the tag provided in Section 205.020, and any dog or cat found running at large shall be impounded. There shall be a penalty for the violation of this Section and fee for impoundment as follows:
1. 
Fifty dollars ($50.00) for a first offense for any animal.
2. 
One hundred dollars ($100.00) for a second offense for any animal.
3. 
Upon a third offense for the same animal that is not a Vicious Dog as defined by this Chapter, the animal shall be taken to a no kill shelter and the owner charged a fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00). If the animal is a Vicious Dog as defined under this Chapter, such animal shall be euthanized at the owner's expense upon a third offense.
[Ord. No. A-571, 7-13-2020; Ord. No. A-575, 7-22-2020]
A. 
The owner or possessor of any vicious animal shall provide the City with the name and address of the owner or possessor of the dog, the address of the location where the dog is kept, and color photograph of a size not less than three (3) inches by four (4) inches of the dog.
B. 
No person shall own, possess, keep, harbor or allow to be in or upon his/her premises any vicious animal unless it is done in conformity with this Chapter.
1. 
Vicious animals shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked kennel or cage.
a. 
The kennel or cage shall be of a size appropriate to the size of the animal kept therein and shall provide adequate ventilation, shade from the sun and protection from the elements. In the event of a dispute over the appropriate size, the guidelines of the United States Department of Agriculture shall apply.
b. 
The kennel or cage must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. Such kennel or cage must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides or the sides must be embedded in the ground.
c. 
The kennel or cage must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure.
d. 
Any such kennel or cage must be located at least ten (10) feet from any property line and must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City.
e. 
Kennels for vicious animals must be at least six (6) feet in height and, unless a secure bottom or floor is attached to the sides, the sides must be embedded in the ground no less than two (2) feet.
f. 
Any enclosure, structure, or vehicle used to confine a vicious animal must be locked or otherwise secured against accidental entry by people or domestic animals while the vicious animal is within. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5-15 and 5-16, housing a vicious animal in a vehicle for purposes other than transport shall be a violation of these provisions requiring adequate confinement of any vicious animal.
g. 
Should any enclosure, structure, or vehicle used to confine a vicious animal fail to confine the vicious animal or allows escape, there shall arise a rebuttable presumption that the owner has failed to take adequate measures to confine the vicious animal in accordance with this Section.
2. 
When confined indoors, no vicious animal may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house, building or structure that would allow the animal to exit such building on its own volition. No such animal may be kept in a house, building or structure when the windows are open. No vicious animal may be kept in a house, building or structure when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the animal from exiting the structure.
3. 
No person shall permit a vicious animal to go outside its kennel, cage or secure structure unless that person has the animal securely leashed on a leash no longer than four (4) feet in length and that person has physical control of the leash. Such animals shall not be tied to stationary objects such as railings, fences, trees, posts, or buildings. Additionally, all such animals on a leash outside the animal's kennel, cage or secure structure must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent the animal from biting persons or other animals.
4. 
A sign or signs, written in legible English, shall be conspicuously posted upon the kennel or cage of any vicious animal with letters at least two (2) inches high containing a warning to beware of the vicious animal.
5. 
All owners keepers or harborers of any vicious animal must maintain in effect public liability insurance in a single incident amount of not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) 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 or maintenance of such animal. All owners, keepers or harborers of vicious animals shall present to the Animal Control Officer upon request of the Animal Control Officer a statement certifying that they have the required insurance policy in effect. Certification of the insurance required by this Chapter shall be submitted within ten (10) days following the Animal Control Officer's request. Such insurance policy shall provide that no cancellation of the policy will be made unless ten (10) days' written notice is first given to the City Clerk.
C. 
Any vicious animal which is found within the City limits which is not being kept in a manner which is not in compliance with this Chapter, or for which the requirements to keep a vicious animal have not been conformed to, shall be immediately taken up and held by the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official for at least ten (10) days or until such time as the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official is satisfied that the owner or possessor has met the requirements of this Chapter. Failure to comply with this Chapter shall authorize the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official to destroy the animal.
1. 
Any person having or claiming ownership or possession of a vicious animal, which the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official has ordered to be taken up and held under the provisions of this Subsection, shall upon request immediately deliver the animal to the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official. Failure to deliver the animal as required herein shall be a violation of this Code, punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00), nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00).
2. 
The costs of caring for any animal taken up pursuant to this Subsection shall be borne by the owner, at the usual rates charged by the City, unless there is a subsequent finding that the animal was unlawfully seized.
3. 
The owner may request a hearing before the Mayor to review the decision that the owner has not complied with the requirements to keep a vicious animal, provided that such request must be received by the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official within ten (10) days of the date that the animal is taken up by the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official. If such a request is made, the Mayor shall promptly set a hearing on the matter. The hearing shall be conducted by the Mayor and shall be to determine whether under the terms of this Chapter the owner is in compliance with all requirements under this Chapter for keeping a vicious animal.
4. 
In determining whether the animal is being kept in compliance with this Chapter, the Mayor may consider all relevant evidence.
5. 
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Mayor may appeal his/her decision to the Circuit Court of Dade County.
D. 
Any case filed under this Section shall be filed in the Circuit Court of Dade County.
E. 
If the Animal Control Officer has cause to believe than an animal is a vicious animal, as defined in this Chapter, due to an attack or biting incident, then the Animal Control Officer, in his/her discretion and in the interest of public safety, may immediately confiscate said animal to be confined in the City animal shelter for a period of ten (10) days, except as provided in Subsection (E)(2).
1. 
Upon written request of the animal's owner, any animal confined under this Section may be transferred to a licensed veterinarian or animal hospital for the remainder of the observation period. The animal's owner is responsible for all costs associated with the observation period, including but not limited to boarding, food, fines, expenses, and/or fees, and in no case shall the City be held responsible for these or any other costs associated with this Subsection.
2. 
Whether the animal is confined with a licensed veterinarian, animal hospital, or the City animal shelter, if the observation period is completed without incident, the animal may be released to the owner following full payment of all court costs, fines, fees, and/or expenses associated with the confinement. However, the owner may not remove the animal from the City limits if a case regarding the attack or biting incident is pending before the Dade County Circuit Court.
3. 
Animals left unclaimed more than ten (10) days following the observation period will be disposed of at the discretion of the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official, unless the Circuit Court has ordered that the animal continue to be confined, in which case the animal may only be released to the owner following disposition of the Circuit Court case.
F. 
If the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official has cause to believe than an animal is a vicious animal, as defined in this Chapter, then the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official may, in his/her discretion and in the interest of public safety, declare the animal to be a vicious animal, provided, however, that any such order shall not be effective until at least ten (10) days after notice is served on the owner.
1. 
The owner may request a hearing before the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official to review such a decision, provided that such request must be made within ten (10) days. If such a request is made, the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official shall promptly set a hearing on the matter. The hearing shall be conducted by the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official and shall be to determine whether under the terms of this Chapter the animal in question is vicious.
2. 
In determining whether the animal is vicious, the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official may consider all relevant evidence, including the size and breed of the dog and the history of the dog.
3. 
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Mayor, City Clerk, or other designated official may appeal his/her decision to the Circuit Court of Dade County.
G. 
Upon a finding that an animal is a vicious animal, and upon the completion of the notice period and any appeal as described in Subsection (F) above, the Mayor may order the Animal Control Officer to forthwith take up and put to death such vicious animal.
It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police, the City Police, and any other person of the City of Lockwood, especially designated by the Board of Aldermen and the Mayor for such purpose, to take up any dog or cat without the tag provided in Section 205.020, any dog or cat running at large, or any vicious dog in violation of Section 205.040 above, and to impound the same. In effecting the capture of any dog or cat, the officers aforesaid are authorized and directed to use traps, nets, tranquilizer guns or any other humane method.
Any officer performing duties under this Chapter shall be compensated from the City Treasury as provided from time to time by the Board of Aldermen. Such officer shall account to the City for all sums collected from owners or keepers under this Chapter, and pay same into the City Treasury. Costs of feeding and keeping dogs or cats impounded shall be paid from the City Treasury.
Every officer impounding a dog or cat under this Chapter shall, within twenty-four (24) hours after such impounding, enter upon a registry open to the public, and in plain public view at the City Hall of the City, a description of such dog or cat, including breed, color, and approximate size, and the date apprehended, and if the owner or keeper is known, the name and address of such owner or keeper; or the owner or keeper shall be given actual notice of the impoundment of such dog or cat before disposition of such dog or cat.
[Ord. No. A-569, 6-16-2020]
The owner or keeper of any dog or cat impounded under this Chapter may reclaim the same by paying to the City Clerk or other official especially designated to receive the same, a sum sufficient to reimburse the City for its costs in impounding such dog or cat and keeping it impounded, and must complete licensing of the animal with the City prior to release of said animal.
It shall be the duty of any officer impounding any dog or cat under this Chapter to keep the same impounded for a period of seven (7) days, unless such dog or cat shall be reclaimed by his/her owner or keeper under Section 205.080 of this Chapter. If, after the expiration of seven (7) days from the date of such impoundment, such dog or cat shall not have been reclaimed, the same shall be disposed of or destroyed in a humane manner.
A. 
A person is guilty of animal neglect when he/she has custody or ownership or both of an animal and fails to provide adequate care or adequate control, including, but not limited to, knowingly abandoning an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate care which results in substantial harm to the animal.
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.
[Ord. No. A-377 §1, 10-15-2007]
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 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 or adequate control.
[1]
Note — Under certain circumstances this offense can be a felony under State law.
Any person who shall keep or use, or in any way be connected with or interested in the management of, or shall receive money for the admission of any person to, any place kept or used for the purpose of fighting or baiting any bull, bear, cock or other creature, and any person who shall encourage, aid or assist or be present thereat, or who shall permit or suffer any place belonging to him/her or under his/her control to be so kept or used, shall, on conviction thereof, be guilty of a misdemeanor.
[Ord. No. 255 §§1 — 8, 9-12-1994]
A. 
Definitions. The words used in this Section shall have the following definitions:
PIT BULL DOG
1. 
The bull terrier breed of dog;
2. 
Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog;
3. 
The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog;
4. 
The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog;
5. 
Dogs of mixed breed or other breeds than listed which breed or mixed breed is known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers;
6. 
Any dog which has the appearance and the characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of bull terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and other breed commonly known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers, or a combination of breeds.
B. 
Unlawful. It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor, own or in any way possess a pit bull dog within the City limits of Lockwood, Missouri, except that pit bull dogs located within the City upon strict compliance with the standards and requirements set forth in Subsection (C) herein.
C. 
Standards And Requirements. The following standards and requirements shall apply to pit bull dogs located within the City limits upon the effective date of this Section, September 12, 1994.
1. 
Registration. Within thirty (30) days after the passage of this Section, every keeper or owner of a pit bull dog in the City shall register said dog with the City Clerk of the City on the "pit bull" registry. Failure to register shall constitute a violation of this Section.
2. 
Leash and muzzle. No person shall permit a registered pit bull dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four (4) feet in length. No person shall permit a pit bull dog to be kept on a chain, rope, or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person is in physical control of the leash. Such dogs may not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings, etc. In addition, all pit bull dogs on a leash outside the animal's kennel must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals.
3. 
Confinement. All registered pit bull dog 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 a secure top attached to the sides. All structures used to confine registered pit bull dogs 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 no less than two (2) feet. All such structures must be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
4. 
Confinement indoors. No pit bull dogs may be kept on a porch, patio, or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such building on its own volition. In addition, no such animal may be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the dog from exiting the structure.
5. 
Sign. All owners, keepers or harborers of registered pit bull dogs within the City shall within ten (10) days of the effective date of this Section, September 12, 1994, display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public, in letters no less than two (2) inches high, using the words "Beware of Dog". In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on the kennel or pen of such animal.
6. 
Insurance. All owners, keepers or harborers of registered pit bull dogs must within ten (10) days of the effective date of this Section, September 12, 1994, provide proof to the Lockwood City Clerk of public liability insurance in a single incident amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) for bodily injury to or death of any person or persons or for damage to property owned by any person or persons which may result from the insurance policy shall provide that no cancellation of the policy will be made unless ten (10) days' written notice is first given to the Lockwood City Clerk.
7. 
Identification photographs. All owners, keepers, or harborers of registered pit bull dogs must within ten (10) days of the effective date of this Section, September 12, 1994, provide to the City Clerk two (2) color photographs of the registered animal clearly showing the color and approximate size of the animal.
8. 
Reporting requirements. All owners, keepers, or harborers of registered pit bull dogs must within ten (10) days of the incident, report the following information in writing to the Lockwood City Clerk as required hereinafter:
a. 
The removal from the City or death of a registered pit bull dog;
b. 
The birth of offspring of a registered pit bull dog;
c. 
The new address of a registered pit bull dog owner should the owner move from one (1) address within the City limits to another address within the City limits.
D. 
Sale Or Transfer Of Ownership Prohibited. No person shall sell, barter or in any other way dispose of a pit bull dog registered with the City to any person within the City limits unless the recipient person resides permanently in the same household and on the same premises as the registered owner of such dog; provided that the registered owner of a pit bull dog may sell or otherwise dispose of a registered dog or the offspring of such dog to persons who do not reside within the City.
E. 
Animals Born Of Registered Dogs. All offspring born of pit bull dogs registered within the City must be removed from the City within six (6) weeks of the birth of such animal.
F. 
Failure To Comply. It shall be unlawful for the owners, keepers, or harborers of a pit bull dog registered with the City of Lockwood to fail to comply with 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. In addition, failure to comply will result in the immediate removal of the animal from the City.
G. 
Violations 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 not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) and not more than 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 thirty (30) days. In addition, the court shall order the registration of the subject pit bull revoked and the dog removed from the City. Should the defendant refuse to remove the dog from the City the Municipal Court Judge shall find the defendant owner in contempt and order the immediate confiscation and impoundment of the 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.
A. 
Provisions shall be made for the sterilization of all dogs and cats sold or released for adoption or purchased from any public or private animal shelter or animal control agency operated by a humane society, or by the County or City. Such provisions may be made by:
1. 
Providing for sterilization by a licensed veterinarian before relinquishing custody of the animal; or
2. 
Entering into a written agreement with the adopter or purchaser guaranteeing that sterilization will be performed by a licensed veterinarian, in compliance with a sterilization agreement which shall contain the following information:
a. 
The date of the agreement;
b. 
The name, address, and signature of the releasing agency and the adopter;
c. 
A description of the animal to be adopted;
d. 
A statement printed in conspicuous bold print that sterilization of the animal is required pursuant to Sections 273.400 to 273.405 RSMo.;
e. 
A sterilization completion date which shall be either:
(1) 
The thirtieth (30th) day after the date of adoption in the case of an adult animal; or
(2) 
The thirtieth (30th) day after a specified date estimated to be the date an adopted infant female or male puppy or kitten becomes six (6) months of age; or
(3) 
If the releasing agency has a written policy recommending sterilization of certain infant animals at an earlier date, the thirtieth (30th) day after the date contained in the written policy.
f. 
An adopter that signs a sterilization agreement shall have the adopted animal sterilized on or before the sterilization date stated in the agreement. If the sterilization completion date stated in the agreement falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline may be extended to the first (1st) day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. The releasing agency may extend the deadline for thirty (30th) days on the presentation of a letter or telephone report from a licensed veterinarian stating that the life or health of the adopted animal may be jeopardized by sterilization. There shall be no limit to the number of extensions that may be granted for this reason.
[Ord. No. A-372 §1, 9-17-2007]
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 action in the course of such servant's official duties.
[Ord. No. A-373 §1, 9-17-2007]
No person may keep any lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, jaguarondi, 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, unless such person has registered such animals with the local law enforcement agency in the County in which the animal is kept.
[Ord. No. A-578, 9-21-2020]
Any person violating or permitting the violation of any provision of this Chapter shall upon conviction in the Circuit Court of Dade County be fined a sum of not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) and not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each violation said person is found guilty of. In addition to the fine imposed, the court may sentence the defendant to imprisonment for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. In addition, the court may order the registration of a subject animal revoked and the animal removed from the City, or that the subject animal be humanely put to death. Should the defendant refuse to remove the animal from the City, or to put the animal to death, the Circuit Court Judge may find the defendant/owner in contempt and order the immediate confiscation, impoundment, and/or execution of the animal. Each day that a violation of this Chapter continues shall be deemed a separate offense. In addition to the foregoing penalties, any person who violates this Chapter shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, handling, veterinary care, court costs, and testimony necessitated by the enforcement of this Chapter.