[Bill No. 111, 11-11-2003]
A. Any animal with the following characteristics shall be defined as
having a vicious nature or disposition and may be deemed dangerous
if any of the following has occurred:
1.
Has inflicted severe or fatal injury upon a human being.
2.
Has killed a domestic animal without provocation.
3.
Has bitten a human being without provocation.
4.
Chases or approaches persons on the streets, sidewalks, or any
public or private property, other than the property of the owner,
in a menacing fashion.
5.
Has a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack human
beings or other animals and possessing the ability to cause serious
injury.
[Bill No. 111, 11-11-2003]
A. Following the filing of charges for violation under Section
205.170, and pending final disposition of said charges, upon affidavit of the Taney County Animal Control Officer or the Merriam Woods Police Department that the animal is a vicious animal and upon motion of the City Attorney, the judge of the Municipal Court may order any of the following:
1.
The animal be seized and impounded at the owner's expense.
2.
The animal be impounded past the ten-day rabies observation
period.
3.
The animal be impounded during the pendency of the charges and
not be released while charges are pending without order of the Municipal
Judge.
B. If the owner requests in writing a hearing regarding the impoundment
of the animal, such hearing shall be granted and held in accordance
with due process procedures established for the Municipal Court of
Merriam Woods, Missouri, upon due notice.
[Bill No. 111, 11-11-2003]
A. If upon violation and conviction of the provisions of this Article
relating to vicious animals, it shall appear to the Municipal Judge
that it is necessary for the public safety and welfare that the animal
concerned be euthanized, the Judge shall so order and the Taney County
Animal Control Officer or the Merriam Woods Police Chief shall execute
the order of the Municipal Court.
B. If upon violation and conviction of the provisions of this Article
relating to vicious animals, it shall not appear to the Municipal
Judge that it is necessary for the public safety and welfare that
the animal concerned be euthanized and the Court shall find that the
animal shall be of a vicious nature or disposition, the Court may
order that the animal be declared dangerous.
[Bill No. 111, 11-11-2003]
A. If any animal shall be determined to be dangerous as above-described,
the owner of said animal shall have the following responsibilities
related to said animal.
1.
Any dangerous animal shall wear at all times a bright orange
collar with a large, brightly colored metal tag attached to the collar
so the animal can be readily identified as a dangerous animal.
2.
The owner or keeper of said animal shall notify the Taney County
Animal Control Officer and the Merriam Woods Police Chief immediately
if a dangerous animal is loose, unconfined, or missing, has attacked
another animal, or has attacked a human being.
3.
The owner or keeper of said animal shall notify the Taney County
Animal Control Officer and the Merriam Woods Police Chief within twenty-four
(24) hours if a dangerous animal has died or has been sold or given
away. If the animal has been sold or given away, the owner shall provide
the Animal Control Officer or Police Chief with the name, address,
and telephone number of the new owner, and the new owner, if the animal
is kept within the confines of the City limits of Merriam Woods, Missouri,
must comply with the requirements of this Article.
4.
While on the owner or keeper's property, a dangerous animal
must be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked
pen or structure suitable to prevent the entry of young children and
designed to prevent the animal from escaping.
5.
No dangerous animal may be kept on the porch, patio, or in any
part of the house or structure that would allow the animal to exit
such building on its own volition.
6.
The owner or keeper shall display a sign on his/her premises
that there is a dangerous animal on the property. This sign shall
be visible and capable of being read a distance of not less than twenty-five
(25) feet.
7.
A dangerous animal may be off of the owner or keeper's premises
if it is muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash not
exceeding six (6) feet in length and under the control of a responsible
person.
8.
The owner or keeper of a dangerous animal shall present to the
Taney County Animal Control Officer and the Merriam Woods Police Chief
proof that the owner or keeper has procured liability insurance in
the amount of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), covering
the twelve-month period during which the animal shall be licensed.
9.
Any animal deemed dangerous shall be subject to the license and rabies vaccination requirements under Article
I of this Chapter.
[Bill No. 111, 11-11-2003]
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of a dangerous
animal within the City of Merriam Woods, Missouri, to fail to comply
with the requirements and conditions set forth in this Article. Any
animal found to be the subject of a violation of this Article may
be, in addition to the other penalties provided herein, subject to
immediate seizure and impoundment for a minimum of ten (10) days or
the time necessary for the owner or keeper to show compliance with
this Article, whichever is shorter.
[Bill No. 111, 11-11-2003]
Any person who fails to comply with any of the above requirements will, upon conviction in the Municipal Court of Merriam Woods, Missouri, be fined and/or imprisoned as set forth in Section
100.220 of this Code. In addition, the dangerous animal, if so ordered by the Court, shall be euthanized.