[Bill No. 87, 11-13-2001]
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Every non-human species of animal, both domestic and wild.
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]
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]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
