[R.O. 1992 § 220.280; Ord. No. 750 §§ I – II, 3-22-2012]
A. 
This Article does not apply to any animal:
1. 
While utilized by any Police Department or any Law Enforcement Officer in the performance of their work;.
2. 
If any injury or attack is sustained by a person who, at the time of the injury or attack, was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises occupied by the owner or keeper of the animal; or was teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the animal; or was committing or attempting to commit a crime;
3. 
Who was protecting or defending a person within the immediate vicinity of the animal from an unjustified attack, assault or other wrongful behavior;
4. 
If any injury or harm is sustained by a domestic animal who, at the time of the injury or damage, was tormenting, abusing or assaulting the animal; or
5. 
Who was reacting to pain or injury; or was protecting itself, its kennel or its offspring.
[R.O. 1992 § 220.290; Ord. No. 750 §§ I – II, 3-22-2012]
A. 
Probable Cause. If an Animal Control Officer has investigated and determined that there exists probable cause to believe that an animal is dangerous or potentially dangerous, then a final determination shall be made by the office of the City Clerk or designee whether the animal should be declared dangerous or potentially dangerous. Any complaint received from a member of the public, which serves as a basis for the Animal Control Officer to determine probable cause, shall be sworn to and verified by the complainant and shall be attached to the Animal Control Officer's investigation report.
B. 
Notification. Office of the City Clerk or designee shall make reasonable efforts to notify the owner or keeper, if known, of the animal that a determination will be made whether the animal should be declared dangerous or potentially dangerous, at which time the owner may appear and present evidence.
C. 
Unclaimed Animals. If any animal is impounded pursuant to this Article and its owner cannot be identified, the animal will be taken to and held by an animal control facility.
D. 
Breed-Specific Determinations. No determination of a dangerous or potentially dangerous animal shall be based in whole or in part on the breed of the animal or the animal's physical characteristics.
[R.O. 1992 § 220.300; Ord. No. 750 §§ I – II, 3-22-2012]
A. 
If upon investigation it is determined by the Animal Control Officer that probable cause exists that an animal poses an immediate and irreparable threat to public safety, the Animal Control Officer may seize and impound the animal pursuant to this Article. The owner or keeper of the animal shall be liable for the costs and expenses of keeping the animal if the animal is later determined to be dangerous or potentially dangerous.
B. 
When an animal has been impounded and it is not contrary to public safety, the Animal Control Officer shall permit the animal to be confined at the owner's expense in a department approved kennel, veterinary facility or at the owner's home with reasonable conditions.
[R.O. 1992 § 220.310; Ord. No. 750 §§ I – II, 3-22-2012]
Any animal determined to be a dangerous or potentially dangerous animal may be humanely destroyed if the release of the animal would create a significant threat to the public health, safety and welfare, and there are no reasonable alternatives to such destruction.
[R.O. 1992 § 220.320; Ord. No. 750 §§ I — II, 3-22-2012]
A. 
Vaccination And Licensing. All animals determine to be dangerous or potentially dangerous shall be properly vaccinated and licensed as may be required by law. The office of the City Clerk shall include in its registration records the designation of any animal determined to be dangerous or potentially dangerous pursuant to this Article.
B. 
Tattooed Or Micro-Chipped. All dangerous or potentially dangerous animals shall, at the owner's or keeper's expense, be tattooed or micro-chipped. The owner or keeper shall provide the tattoo or micro-chip number to the office of the City Clerk for inclusion in the records.
C. 
General Information. All owners or keepers of dangerous animals must, within ten (10) days of such classification, provide the office of the City Clerk with two (2) color photographs; one (1) showing the left profile and the other showing the right profile of the animal, clearly showing the color, distinguishing marking and approximate size of the animal.
D. 
Leash And Muzzle.
1. 
A potentially dangerous animal shall, when outdoors and not in a secured pen, be restrained on a substantial leash of not more than four (4) feet and be kept under the control of a responsible individual at least sixteen (16) years of age.
2. 
A dangerous animal shall, when outdoors and not in a secured pen, be muzzled and restrained on a substantial leash of not more than four (4) feet under the control of a responsible individual at least sixteen (16) years of age. The muzzle must be constructed so that it will prevent the animal from biting any person or domestic animal while not injuring the animal or interfering with the vision or respiration of the animal.
E. 
Confinement. A potentially dangerous or dangerous animal shall, while on the property of the owner or keeper, be kept indoors or in a secured pen from which the animal cannot readily escape and into which children cannot readily trespass.
F. 
Signs. All owners, keepers or harborers of a potentially dangerous animal or dangerous animal within the City shall post a notice on their premises in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 205.240, Warning of Dangerous Animal Required.
G. 
Insurance. All owners, keepers or harborers of a dangerous animal must provide proof to the office of the City Clerk of public liability insurance in a single incident amount of 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. 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 office of the City Clerk.
H. 
Reporting Requirements. All owners, keepers or harborers of a potentially dangerous animal or dangerous animal must, within ten (10) days of any of the following incidents, report said information in writing to the office of the City Clerk:
1. 
The removal from the City or death of a potentially dangerous animal or dangerous animal;
2. 
The birth of offspring of a potentially dangerous animal or dangerous animal;
3. 
The new address of a potentially dangerous animal or dangerous animal owner should the owner move from one (1) address within the corporate City limits to another address within the corporate City limits;
4. 
The bodily injury to or death of a person caused by a potentially dangerous animal or dangerous animal.
I. 
Relocation. If a dangerous or potentially dangerous animal dies, is sold, transferred or permanently removed from the locality where the owner or keeper resides, or the owner or keeper changes residence while maintaining possession of the animal, the owner or keeper shall notify the office of the City Clerk in writing within five (5) working days of the new location of the animal.
J. 
Notification Of Escape Of Enclosure. If the dangerous or potentially dangerous animal escapes its enclosures, the owner or keeper of the dangerous or potentially dangerous animal shall notify the Wright City Police Department promptly.
K. 
Failure To Comply. It is unlawful for the owner, keeper or harborer of a dangerous or potentially dangerous animal within the City to fail to comply with the limitations, requirements and conditions set forth in this Section. Any animal found to be the subject of a violation of this Section shall be subject to revocation of the license and/or registration of the animal and immediate seizure and impoundment. The owner shall be required to take necessary action to dispose of such dangerous or potentially dangerous animal and the office of the City Clerk is further authorized to dispose of such dangerous or potentially dangerous animal if necessary action is not taken by the owner.
L. 
Violations And Penalties. Any violation of this Section shall constitute an offense punishable as provided in Section 100.220 of this Code. In addition, the court shall order the registration of the subject dangerous or potentially dangerous animal revoked and the animal removed from the City. Should the defendant refuse to remove the animal 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.
[R.O. 1992 § 220.330; Ord. No. 750 §§ I – II, 3-22-2012]
A. 
Nothing in this Article shall limit or abrogate any claim or cause of action any person may have under common law or Statute relating to injuries or damages resulting from a dog. The provisions of this Article shall be in addition to such common law and statutory remedies.
B. 
Nothing in this Article shall limit or abrogate any common law defenses, rights, privileges or justifications available under applicable law to any owner or keeper of a dog.