[R.O. 2006 § 205.010; CC 1987 § 240.010(B)]
The following words, when used in this Chapter, shall have the meanings set out herein:
DOGS or CATS
All animals of the canine or feline species, both male and female.
OWNER or KEEPER
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.
RABIES
Shall mean hydrophobia.
1. 
AFFECTED WITH RABIES or RABIDInfected with the rabies virus as determined by standard laboratory testing.
2. 
EXPOSED TO RABIESWhen bitten by, or fought with, or has come in close contact with a dog or other animal shown to be infected with the rabies virus as determined by standard laboratory testing.
RUNNING AT LARGE
Allowing 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
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
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
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
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.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.030; CC 1987 § 240.100]
A. 
Every resident person who owns, controls, manages, possesses or has part interest in any dog or cat kept any time during the year or who permits a dog or cat to come upon, on or in and to remain in or about his/her home, place of business or other premises in the area affected by this Chapter shall have such dog or cat inoculated against rabies, but such inoculation requirements shall not apply to dogs or cats less than four (4) months of age. Such dogs and cats must be inoculated at least once each year unless a three-year type vaccine, approved by the St. Louis County Health Commissioner, is administered, in which case the dogs and cats shall be inoculated at least once every three (3) years. For the purpose of facilitating the provisions of this Section, the Health Commissioner may hold dog and cat inoculation clinics, which clinic shall conform to the minimum requirements of those dog and cat inoculation clinics held by the St. Louis County Department of Health or the persons affected by this Chapter shall produce sufficient proof that the subject dog or cat has been inoculated by the St. Louis County Department of Health.
B. 
Quarantine Of Dogs And Cats. The Health Commissioner may at any time he/she deems it necessary for the protection of the public peace, health and safety, against "rabies," issue an order of quarantine requiring all male and female dogs and cats within the City to be inoculated against rabies by a veterinarian or veterinarians designated by him/her or to be confined upon the premises of the owner or keeper thereof or securely muzzled so as to effectually prevent any dog or cat from biting, molesting, being with or approaching any animal or person other than the owner or keeper thereof. The notice of such quarantine order shall be given by posting copies thereof in at least six (6) conspicuous public places within the City. The Health Commissioner may at any time cancel and recall such quarantine order which shall in no event remain effective for more than six (6) months from the date of the adoption of the quarantine order unless such quarantine order is specifically extended by order of the Board of Aldermen.
C. 
It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police and Police Officers or other persons charged with dog catching duties to impound any dog or cat found running at large or upon any street, alley or other public place or upon private property other than that of the owner, during the time the quarantine order is in force, if such dog or cat has not been properly inoculated against rabies.
D. 
Rabid Animals, Disposal. The Health Commissioner or a person designated by him/her shall dispose of any dog or other animal affected with rabies and he/she shall have the power to examine and impound any animal bitten by or exposed to any animal affected with rabies. He/she shall have the power to require the owners of such animals to take necessary measures to prevent further spread of rabies and to dispose of any exposed animal if such necessary measures are not taken by the owners.
E. 
Report On Destruction Of Animals. Any person destroying an animal affected with rabies or suspected of being affected with rabies shall immediately notify the Health Commissioner and shall surrender the carcass of such animal upon demand. The owner or custodian of any such destroyed animal shall immediately provide the Health Commissioner with full particulars thereof, including the time, date, location, the names and addresses of any persons bitten by said animal and also the name and address of the owner or person having custody of any animal exposed to the animal destroyed.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.035; CC 1987 § 240.070; Ord. No. 791, 6-24-2019]
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons owning, controlling, possessing or having the management or care, in whole or part, of any domestic animal to permit the same to run at large or go off the premises of the owner or keeper thereof, unless such animal is securely tied or led by a line or leash so as to effectively prevent such animal from running at large and from biting, molesting, being with or approaching any person or animal.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.037; CC 1987 § 240.110]
A. 
Number Allowed. It shall be unlawful for any person at any time to keep, board or house in or on his/her premises within the City cats and dogs exceeding the number of three (3) over the age of four (4) months. No combination of dogs and cats shall exceed three (3) in a residence. Provided, however, upon the birth of a litter of cats or dogs, it shall be permissible under this Section that such litter may be kept together with their mother until they reach the age of four (4) months.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.039; CC 1987 § 240.050]
A. 
It shall be the duty of any person bitten by any animal within the City or the parent or guardian of any minor child bitten by an animal within the City to report the same to the Health Commissioner or Police Officer immediately. Such report shall contain the name and address of the owner and of the animal, the day and time bitten, the location where bitten and a general description of the animal.
B. 
The Health Commissioner or Police Officer shall immediately take said animal into custody or have the same confined by the owner thereof for ten (10) days to determine whether such animal be affected with rabies. If the owner shall not confine such animal in a manner satisfactory to the Health Commissioner, such animal shall be forthwith surrendered to the Health Commissioner or to a person or persons designated by him/her upon demand.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.040]
A. 
For purposes of this Section, the term "fierce or dangerous animal" refers to any animal wild or domestic:
1. 
Which has previously attacked or bitten any person or domestic animal; or possesses a propensity to attack or bite any person or domestic animal; or possesses a propensity to cause annoyance to persons using the public roads, streets, and sidewalks; or has a propensity to chase, worry or molest livestock, other dogs or cats or children, or cause any damage or injury; and
2. 
Whose propensity described under Subsection (A)(1) of this Section is known or ought reasonably to be known by a person responsible for the animal.
B. 
Every person possessing or responsible for a fierce or dangerous animal shall:
1. 
Confine such animal to a fenced enclosure of such height, strength and construction so as to prevent the animal confined from jumping or climbing over, climbing through or clawing under such fence; and
2. 
Post a notice on the premises in a place conspicuously visible to the public and reading in letters not less than two (2) inches high "Dangerous [Dog, Cat, or Other Animal]," indicating the type of fierce or dangerous animal which is on the premises.
C. 
A person possessing or responsible for a fierce or dangerous animal may take the dangerous animal from the place of confinement described in Subsection (B)(1) if that person places the animal on a leash and in fact can control the animal to the point of it not injuring or threatening any human, animal or property.
D. 
Any dangerous animal found off the premises of a person possessing or responsible for it and not confined as indicated in Subsection (B) may be seized by any Police Officer or other agent authorized by the Chief of Police or unless the animal is off the premises as permitted by Subsection (C) of this Section. Any dangerous animal which has escaped from its fenced enclosure may be impounded by any Police Officer or other agent authorized by the Chief of Police, whether or not it has been returned to its enclosure at the time of impoundment. If impounded pursuant to this Subsection, the animal shall not be returned to a person responsible for it unless a court so orders, and the person possessing or responsible for the dangerous animal shall pay all costs associated with such impoundment.
E. 
In addition to or as an alternative to the penalty which may be imposed for violation of Subsection (B) of this Section, the court may order such dangerous dog or cat or other animal euthanized upon showing by preponderance of the evidence of facts demonstrating that the animal is within the definition of fierce or dangerous animal and that it has not been confined as required in Subsection (B) of this Section regardless of whether it is so confined at the time of trial or was so confined at the time of impounding.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.047; CC 1987 § 240.060; Ord. No. 531 § 1, 5-18-1998]
A. 
Definitions. As used herein, the following words and terms are defined as follows:
CONFINEMENT
A dangerous animal is "unconfined" if the animal is not securely confined indoors or confined in a securely enclosed and located pen or structure upon the premises of the person responsible for the animal. The pen or structure must have secure sides and must be of such height, strength and construction so as to prevent the animal from jumping or climbing over, crawling through or under the pen or structure. The sides of said pen or structure shall be built so that no part of said animal may extend through to the outside of the pen or structure and so that no part of the human body may extend through to the inside of the pen or structure. If the pen or structure has no bottom secured to the sides, the sides must be embedded into the ground no less than two (2) feet. All such pens or structures must be adequately lighted and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
DANGEROUS ANIMAL
Any animal that constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals or has a disposition or propensity to attack or bite any person or other animal without provocation or which is wild by nature and of a species which, due to size, vicious nature or other characteristics, constitutes a danger to human life, physical well-being or property; or any animal which has been known to bite or attack a human being or other domestic animal which, without provocation, one (1) or more times or any animal which, when unprovoked, chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks or any public grounds or any property other than the property of the owner in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, regardless of whether or not the person is injured by said animal.
B. 
Muzzle Animal. The person responsible for a dangerous animal shall not permit the animal to be unconfined unless the animal is securely muzzled and under restraint as defined in this Chapter. The muzzle shall be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the animal or interfere with its vision or breathing but shall prevent the animal from biting any human or other animal.
C. 
Signs. The person responsible for a dangerous animal shall display "dangerous animal" symbols and warning signs on his/her property visible from the street and on all sides of the pen or structure confining said animal. Said signs shall state: "Beware — Dangerous Animal on Property" or similar phrase, the lettering on the sign shall be at least two (2) inches high.
D. 
Animal Fighting. No person shall train, use or possess any animal for the purpose of animal fighting.
E. 
Insurance. Owners of dangerous animals must, within sixty (60) days of the effective date of the ordinance from which this Chapter derives and thereafter on an annual basis, provide proof to the City Clerk that he/she has liability insurance in the minimum amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) insuring the person responsible for any personal injuries inflicted by his/her dangerous animals.
F. 
Exemption. No animal may be declared dangerous if the threat, injury or damage was sustained by a person who, at the time, was committing or attempting to commit a crime.
G. 
Dangerous Animals Found To Be Unconfined Or Not Properly Muzzled. Any dangerous animal found to be unconfined or not securely muzzled and under restraint as defined by this Chapter may be seized by any public officer or Animal Control Officer and the owner may be brought to trial for violation of the provisions of this Chapter. Upon establishment by a preponderance of the evidence that said animal is a "dangerous animal" and was found to be unconfined or not securely muzzled and under restraint as defined by this Chapter, the court may order such animal to be euthanized. In addition, the owner shall be subject to such penalties as authorized by ordinance. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Chapter, any dangerous animal found to be unconfined or not securely muzzled and under restraint as defined by this Chapter shall remain impounded until the court makes a determination as to whether said animal is a "dangerous animal" and was found to be unconfined or not securely muzzled and under restraint as defined by this Chapter.
H. 
Identification Collar. All dangerous animals shall wear a bright orange collar so that the animal can be readily identified as a dangerous animal at all times.
I. 
Notification. The owner of a dangerous animal shall immediately notify the Police Department if the animal is loose, unconfined or missing; has attacked another animal or a human being or has been sold and if sold to another resident of the City, the name and address of the new owner who also shall abide by this Section.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.050; CC 1987 § 240.030]
A. 
It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police, Police Officers or other person designated by the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen to take up and impound in a suitable place or with a regular agency of St. Louis County therefor, as follows:
1. 
All dogs and cats which are required to have licenses and which are without license displayed in the manner provided herein.
2. 
All female dogs, licensed or unlicensed, not securely confined in an enclosed place while in heat.
3. 
All dogs or other animals affected with rabies and all dogs and other animals suspected by him/her or such employee to be exposed to or affected with rabies, including dogs or other animals known to have been bitten by a rabid animal, whether such dog or animal is running at large or on a leash and whether it is licensed or unlicensed.
4. 
All animals with vicious propensities.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.060]
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.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.070]
The owner or keeper of any dog or cat impounded under this Chapter shall pay to the City a sum sufficient to reimburse the City for its costs in impounding such dog or cat and keeping it impounded.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.080]
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 205.070 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.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.090; CC 1987 § 240.020]
All female dogs shall be kept securely confined in an enclosed place while in heat.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.095; CC 1987 § 240.090]
A person shall not permit a dog owned by him/her or within his/her custody or under his/her control to habitually bark, thereby reasonably causing the peace of any person to be disturbed. The owner or custodian of a dog which habitually barks, thereby causing the peace of any person to be disturbed, shall be guilty of an ordinance violation. As used in this Section, "habitually" shall mean "on a regular basis."
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 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.
C. 
In addition to any other penalty imposed by 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 two hundred dollars ($200.00). The second and all subsequent convictions shall be punishable by imprisonment or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), 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, RSMo., or Sections 272.010 to 272.370, RSMo.
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.
[Ord. No. 881, 8-28-2023]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any owner or other person controlling, possessing or having custody of any dog or cat to:
1. 
Leave a dog or cat tethered outdoors for eight (8) continuous hours or for a total of twelve (12) hours in a twenty-four-hour period.
2. 
Tether a dog or cat except by means of:
a. 
A properly fitting harness or collar of nylon or leather construction which does not chafe or injure the animal; and
b. 
A tether in proportion to the size of the animal such that its weight and construction do not burden or encumber the animal. The tether must be at least fifteen (15) feet in length with a swivel at both ends.
3. 
Tether a dog or cat in such a manner that the animal cannot access adequate shelter while tethered.
4. 
Tether a dog or cat outdoors under conditions where the animal or tether can become entangled on the tether, another animal or some other object or where the tether can restrict the animal's access to suitable, edible and sufficient food, clean water (cool in summer and unfrozen in winter) and appropriate shelter.
5. 
Tether a dog or cat outdoors in unsafe or unsanitary conditions or when the tether does not allow the animal to defecate or urinate in an area separate from the areas where it must eat, drink or lie down.
6. 
Expose a dog or cat to any weather conditions that cause immediate imminent threat to the animal's physical well-being.
7. 
No person shall tether an animal on a choke, prong or pinch collar or tow chain or in such a manner as to cause injury, strangulation or entanglement of the animal on fences, trees or other manmade or natural obstacles.
8. 
No person shall tether an animal in an area where bare earth is present and no steps have been taken to prevent the surface from becoming wet and muddy in the event of precipitation.
9. 
No person shall leave an animal tethered outside between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M., except temporarily tethering outdoors for a time period not exceeding fifteen (15) minutes.
A. 
A person commits the offense of knowingly releasing an animal if he or she, 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 acting in the course of such servant's official duties.
[1]
Note: Under certain circumstances, this offense can be a felony under State law.
Any person in physical possession and control of any animal shall remove excreta or other solid waste deposited by the animal in any public or private area not designated to receive such wastes, including, but not limited to, streets, sidewalks, parking lots, public parks or recreation areas and private property. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a guide dog accompanying any blind person.
Whenever rabies becomes prevalent in the City, the Mayor shall, according to the necessity of the case, issue a quarantine order, requiring every owner or person in charge of any dog or dogs within the limits of the City to either kill or impound his/her dog or dogs, or to have such dog or dogs immunized. Said order shall be published once in the paper officially publishing the business of the City; and in the absence of such paper, shall be posted as in case of sales of personal property. The Mayor is authorized by proclamation to terminate any such quarantine whenever, in his/her judgment, the necessity for it no longer exists.
A person commits the offense of keeping a dangerous wild animal if he or she keeps any lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, hyena, wolf, bear, non-human primate, coyote, any deadly, dangerous, or poisonous reptile, or any deadly or dangerous reptile over eight (8) feet long, or any other dangerous animal, in any place other than a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific, or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital, or animal refuge.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.160; CC 1987 § 240.080]
The City Health Commissioner is hereby empowered and authorized to cooperate and contract with St. Louis County and its agencies for the common service of rabies control. All such contracts shall be approved by the Board of Aldermen.
[R.O. 2006 § 205.170]
A. 
Any person desiring the keep or maintain one (1) or more horses within the City of Calverton Park may do so only upon obtaining a permit for the same from the City. The permit shall be granted if it is found that the keeping or maintaining of said horse(s) will not endanger the public health, safety and welfare. Such permits shall be renewed annually on July 1 of each year and are revocable by the City if the keeping of any horses is found to endanger the public health, safety and welfare or endanger the horses themselves. The fee for such permit and each renewal shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per horse.
B. 
No permit shall be issued for the keeping of more than two (2) horses on any parcel of land and no permit shall be issued for keeping horses on lots or parcels of land of less than three (3) acres. On lots or parcels of land of three (3) acres or more, one (1) horse shall be permitted. One (1) additional horse may be kept providing the lot or parcel of land contains at least five (5) acres.
C. 
Any stable, barn or other shelter hereinafter erected for housing horses shall be set back a minimum of fifty (50) feet from every property line.
D. 
Any lot or parcel containing one (1) or more horses shall provide a fence to contain the horses and such fence shall be of sufficient height to prevent the horses from running at large.
E. 
The horses shall be kept only for private use and the boarding of horses for remuneration or any other commercial use of the horses is prohibited. The landowner shall, upon request, provide proof of ownership to the City for any horse kept on his/her property.
F. 
No person shall permit any horse in their possession to run at large or be ridden or walked in or upon the public streets, sidewalks, open lots or private properties of the City other than that of the owner.
G. 
Except for the keeping of horses, as previously provided for herein, no livestock shall be kept or maintained within the City of Calverton Park. Livestock shall mean cows, mules, hogs, goats, sheep, domestic fowl or other animals commonly associated with farming and agriculture.
[Ord. No. 712, 7-28-2014]
A. 
No person shall keep, maintain or allow to remain upon any lot, tract or parcel of ground within the City of Calverton Park a chicken or chickens unless such person has a valid permit issued by the City Clerk. An application for a chicken permit shall be submitted to the City Clerk by the owner or occupant of the property on which such chickens will be kept, accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00). If a chicken permit is issued, the owner or occupant of the property shall also be required to obtain an annual inspection of the property by the Health Commissioner at a cost of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each inspection.
[Ord. No. 861, 4-25-2022]
B. 
One (1) chicken shall be allowed for every three thousand (3,000) square feet of property located behind the residence, providing that the setback requirements of the Zoning Code[1] are met and no more than six (6) chickens may be kept on any one property. No roosters may be kept in the City.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 405, Zoning Regulations, of this Code.
C. 
No chicken kept on the premises nor any egg produced by such chicken shall be sold or offered for sale, including, but not limited to, by barter or exchange.
D. 
Chickens shall at all times be safely and securely confined in a coop or a run providing at least a minimum square footage of three (3) square feet per chicken in the coop and ten (10) square feet per chicken in the run. The design and construction of the coop and run shall be uniform for each element of the structure such that the walls are made of the same material, the roof has the same shingles or overall covering and any windows or openings are constructed using the same materials. The use of scrap, waste board, sheet metal or other similar materials is prohibited. The owner or occupant must also apply for and obtain a building permit from the Building Commissioner for any chicken coop run or other enclosure erected in the City.
E. 
The coop or other enclosure shall be placed at least twenty-five (25) feet from any property line or other structures. A diagram that indicates the location of the coop or other enclosure, its size and distance from the property lines and other structures on the property shall be included with the permit application. The coop or other structure shall be maintained in good repair, free from any noxious odors, and in a clean and sanitary condition.
F. 
Nothing in this Section shall be interpreted to supersede any applicable zoning ordinance relating to the permissibility, square footage or placement of such a structure. Where the permissibility, square footage or placement requirements of this Section is in conflict with applicable zoning regulations, the stricter regulations shall control.