[Ord. #98-02, § 1; Ord. #04-03, § 1]
It shall be unlawful for any person to own or keep any animal
found to be vicious or dangerous — according to the
procedures of this chapter — within the City limits
without a permit. The City may determine the fee for the permit to
recompense the added administrative burden of the dangerous animal.
The Community Development and Environmental Resources Department may
issue a permit for keeping a dangerous animal.
[Ord. #98-02, § 1; Ord. #04-03, § 1]
a.
The guardian/owner or keeper of any dog found to be dangerous or
vicious, pursuant to this chapter, shall notify the City immediately
if the dog has escaped, is unconfined, has attacked another animal,
has bitten a human being or has died.
b.
The guardian/owner or keeper of a dog found to be dangerous pursuant
to this chapter shall notify the City within forty-eight (48) hours
if the dog is sold, transferred, or permanently removed from the place
where the guardian/owner or keeper resided or kept the dog at the
time the dog was determined to be potentially dangerous. The guardian/owner
or keeper shall also inform the City of any new address where the
dog is to be kept and of the name, address and telephone number of
any new guardian/owner.
c.
The guardian/owner or keeper of a dog found to be vicious shall notify
the City at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to selling, transferring,
or permanently removing the dog to a new location and shall also provide
the City with the name, address and telephone number of the new guardian/owner
of the dog and with the address of any new permanent location of the
dog.
[Ord. #98-02, § 1; Ord. #04-03, § 1]
No dog, which has previously been determined to be dangerous
or vicious by another jurisdiction, will be allowed to be kept, owned
or harbored in the City.
[Ord. #98-02, § 1; Ord. #04-03, § 1]
The guardian/owner or keeper of a dog which has been determined
to be dangerous or vicious pursuant to this title shall display on
the property where the dog is kept a sign containing a visual and
explicit warning that there is a potentially dangerous or vicious
dog on the premises.
[Ord. #98-02, § 1; Ord. #04-03, § 1]
The guardian/owner or keeper of any dog determined to be potentially
dangerous or vicious pursuant to this chapter shall consent to inspection
of the property where the dog is kept and of the dog upon twenty-four
(24) hours' written notice by the City. Said inspection shall be set
at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner to verify full compliance
with the requirements of this chapter.
[Ord. #98-02, § 1; Ord. #04-03, § 1]
The guardian/owner or keeper of any dog found to be vicious
shall present to the City proof that the guardian/owner or keeper
has procured liability insurance in the amount of at least one hundred
thousand ($100,000.00) dollars covering any damage or injury which
may be caused by the vicious dog. Such liability insurance shall not
be canceled, unless the guardian/owner or keeper shall cease to own
or keep the dog prior to expiration of that license. Coverage shall
be evidenced by a certificate issued by the insurer. The guardian/owner
shall also provide documentation from the insurer warranting that
the insurer will provide the City with at least thirty (30) days'
advance notice of cancellation.
[Ord. #98-02, § 1; Ord. #04-03, § 1]
No dog found to be potentially dangerous or vicious pursuant
to this chapter shall be kept by a guardian/owner or keeper who is
a minor.
[Ord. #98-02, § 1; Ord. #04-03, § 1]
It shall be a misdemeanor for any guardian/owner or keeper of
a previously determined vicious dog to intentionally fail to comply
with this ordinance. Conviction of said offense shall be punished
by a fine of no less than one thousand ($1,000.00) dollars and imprisonment
in the County jail not to exceed one (1) year. Upon conviction of
said misdemeanor, the court shall order the vicious dog seized, declared
a nuisance and destroyed unless the City sets forth cause why the
dog should not be destroyed. Any person convicted in violation of
this section shall be prohibited from owning, harboring or keeping
any dog within the City for a minimum of three (3) years.
