[R.O. 2004 § 205.010: Ord. No. 788 § 1, 6-22-2006; Ord. No. 953, 12-18-2012]
The following words, when used in this Chapter, shall have the meanings set out herein:
ANIMAL
Any living, vertebrate creature, domestic or wild, other than lobster, shrimp, clams, fish in an aquarium, and humans.
OWNER or KEEPER
Any person having a right of property in a dog, or who keeps or harbors an animal, or who has it in his/her care or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about any premises owned or occupied by him/her, in addition to its ordinary meaning, any person who keeps or harbors an animal or professes to be owning, keeping, or harboring an animal.
PIT BULL DOG
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 the breeds of the dogs known as "Staffordshire Bull Terrier," "American Pit Bull Terrier," or "American Staffordshire Terrier."
RUNNING AT LARGE
Allowing an animal 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
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.
STRAY
An animal running at large whose ownership is not determined by license, vaccination tags, or tag showing name and owner or caregiver.
TRESPASSER
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 ANIMAL
Any animal running at large, or an animal 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 animal from leaving such premises.
[R.O. 2004 § 205.020; CC 1978 § 77.010; Ord. No. 483 § 11, 9-19-1989; Ord. No. 788 § 1, 6-22-2006; Ord. No. 839 § 1, 7-31-2007; Ord. No. 17-02, 3-7-2017; Ord. No. 24-05, 4-16-2024]
A. 
License Required. No owner shall keep or harbor any animal older than seven (7) months in age for a period in excess of thirty (30) days unless such animal is licensed as herein provided.
B. 
Application.
1. 
Formal application for license shall be made to the City License Collector on a special form provided by the City, which shall register the name and local address of the owner, the name, date of birth, breed, color, sex and distinguishing marks of the animal and if female, whether or not animal has been spayed. A copy of a rabies vaccination certificate signed by a legally licensed veterinarian within six (6) months immediately prior to application date shall be submitted with the application and the Collector shall confirm the date of vaccination on the application form.
2. 
Upon filing of the application the City will issue a numbered metal tag to the owner. The City shall maintain records of all such licenses, arranged numerically by tag numbers, to include the by owners' names, addresses, and contact information. Such records shall be available to the public during regular business hours.
C. 
Annual License Fee.
1. 
The official license tag shall be attached to a suitable collar or harness which shall be worn by the animal at all times.
2. 
If tag is lost or mutilated, a new tag shall be obtained from the City and the new tag number shall be entered in the City's files.
[R.O. 2004 § 205.030; CC 1978 § 77.020; Ord. No. 411 §§ I — II, 8-20-1985; Ord. No. 639 §§ 1 — 2, 11-21-2000; Ord. No. 953, 12-18-2012; Ord. No. 23-12, 8-15-2023]
Except as authorized under Section 205.035 below, it shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor more than four (4) adult animals over the age of six (6) months in a zoned residential neighborhood. Five (5) or more animals will constitute a commercial kennel and require proper zoning and an occupational license issued by the City Clerk. These limits are per household and the presence of multiple owners in the household shall not increase them.
[Ord. No. 23-12, 8-15-2023]
A. 
Chickens, meaning a member of the subspecies Gallus domesticus (a domesticated chicken), shall be allowed in the Estate Residential District under the following conditions:
1. 
A maximum of fifteen (15) chickens per lot;
2. 
Only female chickens are permitted;
3. 
The chickens are kept in a secured enclosure at least two hundred fifty (250) feet from the dwelling of another inhabitant:
a. 
A secured enclosure shall mean an enclosure designed in which the chickens are unable to escape or roam free from;
b. 
The enclosures must be kept in a clean, dry, odor-free, neat and sanitary condition at all times;
c. 
During non-daylight hours, chickens must be kept in a henhouse, within the enclosure, designed to provide adequate ventilation, adequate sun, and adequate shade as well as be impermeable to rodents, wild birds, and predators.
4. 
Chickens permitted under this Section shall not be used for any commercial purpose.
[R.O. 2004 § 205.040; Ord. No. 519 §§ I — II, 3-17-1992; Ord. No. 521 § III, 5-19-1992; Ord. No. 788 § 1, 6-22-2006]
A. 
No Animal To Run At Large. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons owning, controlling, harboring or possessing, or having care or management of any dog to permit such dog or dogs to run at large.
B. 
Every dog shall be either confined so as to prevent straying from the owner's or caretaker's property or shall be accompanied by the owner or caretaker while under voice command. Confinement shall be by fence, chain, leash or electronic devices.
C. 
Dogs found running at large or otherwise in violation of this Article may be impounded. Impoundment and redemption shall be in accordance with this Article.
D. 
Penalties. Upon conviction in Municipal Court for violation of this Article the court shall impose minimum fines as set forth in the Comprehensive Schedule of Fees and Charges[1]for the first offense, for the second offense and for the third and all subsequent offenses. Maximum fine shall be as set forth in the Comprehensive Schedule of Fees and Charges.
[Ord. No. 17-02, 3-7-2017]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 100.230 of this Code.
[R.O. 2004 § 205.050; CC 1978 § 79.010]
Unlicensed animals, female animals in heat not under owner's restraint, or any animal suspected of rabies infection shall be seized by the City and impounded in the animal shelter provided for such purpose. The use of a tranquilizer gun or any other method deemed necessary, provided the method does not transgress on humane methods, is authorized.
[R.O. 2004 § 205.060; CC 1978 § 79.060]
When an animal(s) is impounded, the City shall make a permanent record which shall include time, date and place of pickup, accurate description of animal, owner if known, and any other pertinent information. This information shall be delivered to the City Clerk and Police Secretary on the day of impoundment.
[R.O. 2004 § 205.070; Ord. No. 788 § 1, 6-22-2006]
Every officer impounding a animal 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 animal, 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 animal before disposition of such animal.
[R.O. 2004 § 205.080; CC 1978 § 79.080; Ord. No. 484 § IV, 9-19-1989; Ord. No. 522 §§ I — II, 5-19-1992; Ord. No. 788 § 1, 6-22-2006]
A. 
To redeem his/her animal the owner shall:
1. 
Pay all municipal fees and costs.
2. 
Take receipt to kennel where animal is impounded to obtain release.
3. 
If animal does not have current vaccination have animal vaccinated.
4. 
Take vaccination receipt to City Hall and purchase license for animal.
[R.O. 2004 § 205.090; CC 1978 § 79.030; Ord. No. 484 § II, 9-19-1989; Ord. No. 839 § 2, 7-31-2007; Ord. No. 953, 12-18-2012]
A. 
If an impounded animal's owner cannot be located or the individual is incapable of caring for the animal, the following shall apply:
1. 
The animal(s), if impounded, will be held at the City's designated shelter until disposition.
2. 
The animal(s) shall be held for one (1) week after which time the animal(s) will be available for adoption.
3. 
At any time during the five-day period, the owner/responsible party may retrieve the animal(s) by paying the appropriate fees/fines as designated. If the animal has been adopted during this period, the owner shall take precedence.
4. 
All fines, kennel fees and euthanasia shall be charged to the owner or person(s) harboring said animal(s).
B. 
If animal(s) are found abandoned or in need of care, Subsections (A)(2) and (A)(3) shall be the guidelines for disposition.
C. 
If circumstances require immediate action to protect the public health, safety or welfare, Section 215.110, Emergencies, as outlined in the City Code, may be ordered.
[R.O. 2004 § 205.100; CC 1978 § 79.070; Ord. No. 484 § III, 9-19-1989]
Deviation from the procedure outlined in this Chapter is permitted only in case of extreme emergency. Such deviation shall be only after approval from the Mayor or the Chief of Police and shall be documented and placed on file with the City Clerk.
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[1] 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.
[1]
Editor's Note: The maximum fine for a violation of this Section is set forth in the Comprehensive Schedule of Fees and Charges; see § 100.230 of this Code.
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 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 the amount set forth in the Comprehensive Schedule of Fees and Charges[1]. The second and all subsequent convictions shall be punishable by imprisonment or a fine not to exceed the amount set forth in the Comprehensive Schedule of Fees and Charges, 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.
[Ord. No. 17-02, 3-7-2017]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 100.230 of this Code.
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.