[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001]
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL
Every non-human species of animal, both domestic and wild.
ANIMAL AT LARGE
Any animal not restrained or confined to the premises occupied by its owner or keeper. An animal held by a leash when walking or running over any street, alley, thoroughfare, or public property within Merriam Woods City shall not be deemed at large.
[Bill No. 153, 5-8-2007]
KENNEL OR CATTERY
Any premises wherein any person engages in the business of boarding, breeding, buying, letting for hire, training for a fee, selling dogs or cats, or any premises having more than three (3) dogs or cats over six (6) months of age.
[Bill No. 153, 5-8-2007]
OWNER
Any person, firm, or corporation owning, harboring, or keeping a household pet or any person, firm, or corporation providing food or water to an abandoned animal for a period of three (3) or more days.
PET OR COMPANION ANIMAL
Any animal kept for pleasure rather that utility, an animal of a species that has been bred or raised to live in or about the habitation of humans and is dependent on people for food and shelter.
RESTRAINT
Any animal secured by a leash or lead under the control of a responsible person and obedient to that person's commands or within the real property limits of its owner.
WILD ANIMAL
Any living member of the animal kingdom, including those born or raised in captivity, except the following: human beings, domestic dogs (excluding hybrids with wolves, coyotes, or jackals), domestic cats (excluding hybrids with ocelots or margays), farm animals, rodents, or any hybrid animal that is part wild and captive-bred species or common cage birds.
WILD DANGEROUS ANIMAL
Lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margays, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, bear, hyena, wolf, coyote, non-human primates, and dangerous or poisonous reptiles.
[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001]
A. 
Any animal or animal that unreasonably annoy humans, endanger the life or health of other animals or persons, or substantially interfere with the rights of citizens other than their owners to enjoyment of life and property. The term "public nuisance animal" shall mean and include, but is not limited to, any animal that:
1. 
Is repeatedly found at large.
2. 
Does not possess a current rabies vaccination tag or certificate from a State-licensed veterinarian.
3. 
Does not possess a current animal license issued by the City.
4. 
Damages the property of anyone other than its owner.
5. 
Molests or intimidates pedestrians or passerby.
6. 
Chases vehicles.
7. 
Excessively makes disturbing noises, including, but not limited to, continued and repeated howling, barking, whining, or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept or harbored.
8. 
Is offensive or dangerous to the public heath, safety, or welfare by virtue of the number and/or types of animals maintained.
9. 
Attacks other domestic animals.
10. 
Or has been found by the Board of Aldermen of Merriam Woods City, after notice to its owner [no owner found after five (5) days posted notice, animal is deemed to be a public nuisance] to be a public nuisance animal by virtue of being a menace to the public health, welfare, or safety.
[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001; Bill No. 153, 5-8-2007]
Any premises having more than three (3) but less than six (6) properly licensed cats or dogs over six (6) months of age on June 1, 2007, shall be allowed to maintain such animals without increasing their numbers and will not be deemed to be in violation of this Article.
[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001]
A. 
No owner shall keep any dog or cat within the City of Merriam Woods unless a license has first been secured. Licenses shall be issued as follows:
1. 
There shall be a licensing fee imposed of three dollars ($3.00) each for all spayed and neutered dogs and cats within the City of Merriam Woods, to be paid to the City Clerk by the 31st day of January each year or within thirty (30) days of establishing residency or obtaining a new animal in the City.
2. 
There shall be a licensing fee imposed of twenty dollars ($20.00) each for all non-spayed and non-neutered dogs and cats within the City of Merriam Woods, to be paid to the City Clerk by the 31st day of January each year or within thirty (30) days of establishing residency or obtaining a new animal in the City.
3. 
Before any animal license may be issued, proof of current rabies vaccination shall be presented to the City Clerk.
4. 
One (1) license receipt and one (1) metallic tag will be issued per animal licensed. The license tag and rabies vaccination tag shall be displayed on all animals licensed. In the event of a lost license tag, a duplicate will be issued by the City Clerk upon presentation of the required vaccination certificate and original license receipt.
[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001]
All dogs, cats, and other household pets over the age of six (6) months shall have a current vaccination for rabies if kept within the corporate limits of the City of Merriam Woods. All owners of dogs, cats, and other household pets shall secure a rabies vaccination certificate from a veterinarian who holds a current license from the State of Missouri. All such rabies vaccination certificates and tags shall be marked with the date of the last such vaccination. Additional vaccinations required include parvo and distemper.
[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001; Bill No. 143, 5-9-2006]
A. 
Any dog found at large or any dog not displaying all of the required tags shall be impounded. All impoundment services are to be provided by Taney County through a written agreement for animal impoundment services.
1. 
If the owner can be ascertained and the animal appears to be in good health, the City will contact the owner by phone, mail, or personal contact within five (5) days of the impoundment. The animal shall be held by the County as prescribed under State law. Any animal unclaimed after the mandatory holding period may be put up for adoption or humanely killed.
2. 
If the owner cannot be ascertained and the animal appears to be in good health, the County will impound the animal for the mandatory holding period. Any animal unclaimed after the holding period may be put up for adoption or humanely killed.
3. 
All costs incurred by the City to impound an animal shall be paid by the owner of the animal.
4. 
If Taney County determines the animal is diseased, injured, or disabled beyond recovery, the animal will be humanely killed.
5. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper with, alter, or otherwise damage any trap, cage, carrier, or other animal control equipment owned or operated by the City or to interfere with any Law Enforcement Officer in the performance of their duty.
[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001]
A. 
The failure of the owner of any animal to pay the impoundment fee and any other charges, after due notification, shall be held to be an abandonment of the animal by the owner. The owner shall be subject to a fine for such abandonment not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00).
B. 
Every person who willfully abandons any domestic dog or cat is guilty of an ordinance violation.
[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001]
A. 
A person is guilty of animal neglect when he/she has custody or ownership or both of an animal and fails to provide adequate care or adequate control.
B. 
Animal neglect is an ordinance violation. All fines and penalties for a first conviction of animal neglect may be waived by the court provided that 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.
[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001]
A. 
Animal abuse is an ordinance violation. A person is guilty of animal abuse when a person:
1. 
Overworks or overloads an animal or drives or works an animal unfit to work.
2. 
Abandons an animal to die.
3. 
Beats, mistreats, torments, or causes injury or unnecessary pain to an animal.
4. 
Carries or causes to be carried, moved or kept in or upon any vehicle in a cruel or inhumane manner.
5. 
Impounds or confines, or cause to be impounded or confined, in any place and fail to supply the animal during such confinement with the following:
a. 
A structurally sound, properly ventilated, sanitary, dry, and weatherproof shelter suitable for the species, age, and condition of the animal which is free from litter or hazardous substances and objects and which provides access to shade from direct sunlight and regress from exposure to inclement weather conditions.
6. 
Fails to provide wholesome foodstuffs suitable for the species at suitable intervals in a sanitary manner and in quantities sufficient to maintain good health in the animal, considering its age and condition.
7. 
Fails to provide constant or access at suitable intervals to a supply of clean, unfrozen water, provided in a sanitary manner and in sufficient amounts for the species to maintain good health.
8. 
Fails to provide the normal and prudent attention to the needs of the animal, including all necessary immunizations, sufficient exercise and rest to maintain good health and the provision to each sick or injured animal of the necessary veterinary care or humane death.
B. 
Nothing in this Section shall be construed so as to prevent a person from taking whatever action is necessary to defend himself/herself, another individual, or an animal when endangered by an animal attack.
[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001]
A. 
The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by his/her animal(s) on public walks, recreation areas, or private property.
B. 
No person shall expose any known poisonous substance whether mixed with food or not, so that the same shall be eaten by any animal, and it shall be unlawful for any person to expose on his/her own property common rat poison mixed only with vegetable substance.
[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001]
A. 
Any injured or possible rabid animal that is found or impounded by the City that has no identification and no known owner shall be humanely disposed of immediately.
B. 
Animals that are suspected of rabies, or if a human has been injured by said animal, will be reported to the Taney County Health Department for investigation. Impoundment and disposition of the animal will be ordered by the Taney County Health Department.
[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001]
Any person violating the provisions of this Article shall be deemed guilty of an ordinance violation and shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense, fifty dollars ($50.00) for the second offense, one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the third offense, and not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). If a violation continues, each day's violation shall be deemed a separate violation.
[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001]
If any part of this Article shall be held invalid, such parts shall be deemed severable and the invalidity thereof shall not affect the remaining parts of this Article.