It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor or maintain within the city limits the following:
(1) 
Bats, skunks, poisonous reptiles, foxes.
(2) 
Any wild animal whose normal mature weight exceeds forty (40) pounds.
(3) 
Livestock, except as hereinafter provided.
(4) 
This section shall not apply to or prohibit the following:
(A) 
A publicly or privately owned zoo maintained or operated by a nonprofit organization or governmental entity.
(B) 
A publicly or privately maintained circus, traveling show, or rodeo which does not remain in Sundown longer than fifteen (15) consecutive days.
(C) 
Any person desiring to keep livestock or “other animals” within the city limits shall make application to the city council for a permit, which shall expire on December 31st following issuance, but may be renewed annually in the same manner as provided in this subsection. The application form may be obtained from city hall. The form must be completed and then forwarded to city hall, containing the following information:
(i) 
Applicant’s name, address, and phone number;
(ii) 
A legal description and general location of the premises for which permit is desired, including the size of corral or pen area;
(iii) 
The minimum and maximum number of livestock or “other animals” desired to be kept at said location; and
(iv) 
Signatures of residents or business owners within 300 feet of any part of the premises for which permit is desired.
(D) 
All livestock and “other animals” kept within the city limits must be kept restrained to their property within a pen which meets or exceeds the following standards:
(i) 
The pen must be constructed with prefabricated panels, new lumber, or no less than a four (4) wire fence. The fence shall be a minimum of four (4) feet high. The posts on wire fences shall be no further apart than fifteen (15) feet. All gates must be securely locked and of sufficient strength to hold the animals kept within the pen structure.
(ii) 
The pen must have adequate shelter for the animals to enter into and be protected from the elements.
(iii) 
The area within the pen must be kept clean of all unwholesome matter, i.e. feces and other forms of discharge.
(iv) 
The pen must be sanitized on a regular basis to minimize the presence of germs, bacteria and flies.
(v) 
The pen must be kept in good working repair at all times; and the area within the pen and surrounding the pen must be kept and maintained in a clean and sanitary manner such that the areas do not become a nuisance.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 9-1-10; Ordinance 447, sec. 2, adopted 11/8/05; Ordinance 447, sec. 3, adopted 11/8/05)
(a) 
The chief of police or his designee may take up and impound at the animal shelter any estray found within the city limits in violation of this article.
(b) 
The chief of police or his designee may sell any estray impounded under the provisions of this article at a public auction after having advertised twice (2) in the local newspaper during the 15 days after the date of impoundment. In addition, a notice of impoundment with a general description of the estray shall be posted in the county courthouse.
(c) 
Final disposition of the estray shall be in compliance with this article.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 9-1-11)
Any peace officer or the animal control officer may take up and impound at the animal shelter any animal found within the city limits in violation of Section 2.202 of this article.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 9-1-12; Ordinance adopting Code)
The animal control officer may sell any animal impounded under the provisions of this article at public auction, after having held such animal for at least five (5) days and after having published notice of such sale together with a general description of the animal or animals to be sold. Such notice shall appear one (1) time at least five (5) days prior to the date of the sale and shall state that such animal or animals will be sold to defray cost if not reclaimed prior to such date. The proceeds of any such sale shall be used to defray sale expenses and expenses of taking up and keeping of such animals. The balance, if any, shall be paid to the owner of the animal, if known, and if such owner is unknown, such balance shall be paid into the city treasury. Within six (6) months after such sale, an owner may, upon proof of such ownership satisfactory to the chief of police, be entitled to receive the amount paid into the city treasury on account of such sale.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 9-1-13)
The owner of any animal impounded and sold under the provisions of this article may redeem it by paying to the purchaser the amount paid by the purchaser for such animal plus reasonable expenses for keeping it; provided that the owner redeems the animal within thirty (30) days after the date of sale; otherwise, the animal becomes the absolute property of the purchaser.
(1986 Municipal Code, Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 9-1-15)