City of Maysville, MO Article II Dangerous Dogs And Certain Animals

Section 205.130 Dangerous And Prohibited Animals.

[Ord. No. 1997-18 Div. 4, 9-17-1997]

A. The following animals are hereby declared to be dangerous and the keeping or harboring of such animals within the City is prohibited, except as provided in Subsection (B) of this Section:

1. Lions, tigers, bears, leopards, ocelots, jaguars, cheetahs, margays, mountain lions, Canada lynx, bobcats, jaguarundi, hyenas, wolves, and coyotes;

2. Non-human primates, raccoons, skunks, and foxes;

3. Any deadly, dangerous, or poisonous reptile;

4. Any non-domestic cat, wild/domestic cat hybrid, wolf/dog hybrid, or poisonous animals;

5. Any other animal which is inherently dangerous because of past behavior, violations of this Article, or the nature of the animal in relation to persons or domestic animals.

B. The animals listed in Subsection (A) of this Section may be kept in a properly maintained and licensed zoological park, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospitals or animal refuge, only after such animals have been registered with the Supervisor of Animal Control.

C. In the event any animal kept under Subsection (B) of this Section becomes a threat to humans or domestic animals, the Chief of Police must complete a written report in accordance with this Subsection (C). A copy of the report shall be submitted to the City Clerk and mailed to the owner by regular U.S. Mail. The following are guidelines for certification:

1. Having inflicted a severe or fatal injury on a human being on public or private property. "Severe injury" means any physical injury, resulting directly from an animal's bite or strike which results in death, broken bones, lacerations requiring stitches, or hospitalization. The victim receiving severe injuries must provide the Supervisor of Animal Control a signed physician's statement documenting injury or sign an authorization for release of such statement;

2. Having killed a domestic animal, livestock, or poultry without provocation, while off the owner's property;

3. Owning or harboring primarily or in part for the purpose of fighting or any animal trained for fighting;

4. Having bitten a human being, without provocation, on public or private property other than the property of the owner;

5. Having bitten while on the owner's property without provocation, a human being other than the owner or a member of the owner's family who normally resides at the place where the animal is kept;

6. When unprovoked, chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds, or private property other than the property of the owner, in a menacing fashion or apparent attitudes of attack, regardless of whether or not a person is injured by the animal;

7. Possessing a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury, or to otherwise threaten the safety of human beings or domestic animals.

D. If the circumstances described in Subsection (C) of this Section are in dispute, then the owner has the option of a written request to the Chief of Police for a hearing on the matter as follows:

1. A hearing board, consisting of Chief of Police and Board of Aldermen, shall be convened within ten (10) working day after receipt of written request from the owner.

2. Pending the outcome of such a hearing, the animal must be confined in such a manner so as not be a threat to any person. The confinement may be on the homeowner's premises or with a licensed veterinarian.

3. The hearing board shall determine whether the determination by the Chief of Police is correct based upon evidence and testimony presented at the time of the hearing by the new owner, in addition to witnesses, animal control personnel, police or any other person possessing information pertinent to such determination.

4. The hearing board shall issue written findings within five (5) days after the hearing. If the hearing board sustains the determination, the owner or possessor of the animal shall be required to maintain the animal as provided in Subsection (D)(2) until action is taken according to Subsection (E).

E. Actions to be taken for an animal on which a determination has been made under Subsection (C) or (D) of this Section is as follows: The animal shall be humanely destroyed or removed from the City limits within forty-eight (48) hours after notification.

F. Nonconforming animals described in Subsection (A) that are currently existing in the City limits shall be removed within sixty (60) days of the passage of this Article. The Chief of Police will send notices to owners for any known violation.

Section 205.140 Restraint Of Vicious Or Dangerous Dogs.

[Ord. No. 2001-03, 4-11-2001]

Any person in the City who shall own, keep or harbor a vicious or dangerous dogs shall keep such dog muzzled securely, tied or otherwise effectively restrained when ordered to do so by either the City Manager or the Chief of Police.

Section 205.150 (Reserved) [1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former Section 205.150, Keeping Of Pit Bull, Rottweiler And Doberman Pinscher Dogs Prohibited, was repealed 5-27-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-06. Prior history includes: Ord. No. 2001-03.