[1]
Cross References: As to motor vehicles and traffic, Title III; as to animal abuse or neglect, §§ 205.140 – 205.150.
State Law References: Inspection of living animals intended as human food, § 71.730, RSMo.; municipal powers with respect to the keeping of animals, § 79.400, RSMo.; dogs, §§ 273.010 et seq., RSMo.; protection against rabies, §§ 322.010 et seq., RSMo.; offenses relating to animals, §§ 578.005 et seq., RSMo.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.010; CC 1989 § 3-91; Code 1972 § 204.04a]
Every person residing within the City who owns, controls, manages, possesses or has part interest in any dog kept any time during the year or who permits a dog to come upon, on or in and to remain in or about his/her home, place of business or other premises within the boundaries of the City shall have such dog inoculated by a competent veterinarian against rabies and shall also be required to make application for a license for such dog. The application shall state the name and address of the owner of such animal, its age, sex, color and species and the number and place of issuance of any previous license obtained for such animal. The City Clerk shall furnish a numbered application form. The application shall be signed by the applicant. Separate applications shall be made for each animal and separate licenses shall be obtained for each animal.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.020; CC 1989 § 3-92; Ord. No. 748A § 1(204.04b.), 5-22-1978]
A. 
The City Clerk shall issue a dog license to any person on proper application for which he/she shall charge a fee of one dollar ($1.00) for each dog. For each dog which is six (6) months of age or older, no such license shall be issued unless such applicant shall produce a certificate from a competent, licensed veterinarian that such dog has been inoculated against rabies. Such certificate shall be dated within twelve (12) months prior to such application. Applications for a dog license shall be made and the license obtained on or before the first day of June of each year. A license shall be obtained within sixty (60) days after the birth of any such animal after June 1, the procurement date. All fees collected by the City Clerk shall be reported and verified in writing to the Board of Aldermen and paid into the City Treasury on the first day of each month.
B. 
There shall be no charge for a license for any dog duly and properly trained to assist persons with visual or hearing impairments when any such dog is actually being used by such blind person for the purpose of aiding or assisting him/her in going from place to place.
C. 
Any owner of a dog who suffers the loss of his/her dog's license tag shall report such loss promptly to the licensing official and exhibit the original license at which time he/she shall be issued a new license tag at a cost of one dollar ($1.00).
[1]
State Law References; Guide dogs and hearing dogs, §§ 209.150, 209.190, RSMo.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.030; CC 1989 § 3-93; Code 1972 § 204.04c.]
The City Clerk shall have prepared dog license plates made of metal or other suitable material to be issued to applicants securing a license. Such license plates shall be numbered and the numbers thereon shall correspond to the numbers appearing on the license and on the application for such license. Such license plate shall be securely fastened on the collar or harness of the dog for which the license is issued and shall be worn at all times.
[1]
State Law References: Dog license under local option dog tax law, §§ 273.070 et seq., RSMo.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.040; CC 1989 § 3-94; Code 1972 § 204.04d.]
A. 
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 within the limits of the City to either kill or impound his/her dog or to have such dog immunized. Such order shall be published once in the paper officially publishing the business of the City; in the absence of such paper, it shall be posted as in case of sales of personal property. The Mayor may, by proclamation, terminate any such quarantine whenever in his/her judgment the necessity for it no longer exists.
B. 
It shall be the duty of any person who owns, controls, possesses or has in custody any dog to comply strictly with the quarantine order.
[1]
State Law References: Rabies quarantine order, §§ 322.040 et seq., RSMo.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.050; CC 1989 § 3-95; Ord. No. 863 § 1(204.04e.), 8-23-1982]
It shall be unlawful for any person who owns or keeps any dog to fail to keep such dog confined to such person's premises, unless such dog is attached to a leash not more than six (6) feet in length.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.060; CC 1989 § 3-96; Code 1972 § 204.04f.]
A. 
The North County Police Cooperative, Public Nuisance Officer or designated representative or the Public Nuisance Officer or other persons designated by the Public Nuisance Officer, when authorized by contract or ordinance of the County or of the City, are hereby empowered and directed to:
1. 
Catch, confine and impound all unlicensed dogs running at large within the City and also all dogs which are required to have licenses and which are without a license displayed in the manner provided in this Chapter.
2. 
Catch, confine and impound all female dogs, licensed or unlicensed, not securely confined in an enclosed place during the copulating season.
3. 
Catch, confine and impound in a suitable place all dogs, either licensed or unlicensed, found on any public street, sidewalk, alleyway or place or upon private property, other than that belonging to the owner of such dog, unless such dog is on a leash not over six (6) feet long.
4. 
Catch, confine and impound in a suitable place all dogs, whether running at large or on a leash, suspected of being rabid, whether they manifest such symptoms or not or affected with rabies or infected with any other disease transmittable to humans or any dog disclosing vicious propensities running at large.
5. 
Take into custody and impound and isolate for examination any dog known or suspected of having been exposed to rabies; provided, however, that the power to impound diseased animals disclosing vicious propensities shall not be exercised when the owner or custodian of any dog affected by rabies, suspected of having or having been exposed to rabies or of any dog disclosing vicious propensities, shall confine and isolate such animal under the supervision of and in a manner satisfactory to the North County Police Cooperative, Public Nuisance Officer or designated representative or the Public Nuisance Officer and his/her deputies.
6. 
Carefully examine any dog bitten or exposed to any dog affected with rabies or suspected of being rabid and shall have the power in their discretion to dispose of such animal; provided, however, that such animal shall not be disposed of if the owner' thereof shall confine and isolate such animal under the supervision of and in a manner satisfactory to the Marshal or his/her deputies or of the Public Nuisance Officer.
[1]
State Law References: Dogs exposed to rabies, §§ 322.020, 322.030, RSMo.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.070; CC 1989 § 3-97; Code 1972 § 204.04g.]
Any dog captured and impounded as provided in this Chapter may be redeemed to the custody of the owner or other person having the right of possession of such animal upon the presentation of a proper license and upon payment of a redemption fee to the City of five dollars ($5.00). If such animal shall not be redeemed in the manner provided herein in one (1) week after his/her capture, such animal shall, in the discretion of County rabies control, be disposed of. Such animal may be redeemed by any other person before its disposal upon securing a license for such animal and paying the redemption fee provided herein.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.080; CC 1989 § 3-98; Code 1972 § 204.04h.]
No person shall be exempt from the payment of the fees charged for confining and isolating any animal, including domestic animals, under the provisions of this Chapter. The custody of any such animal shall be retained until the owner or persons having had custody of such animal shall have paid the fees charged for confining the same. Such fees shall be paid within one (1) week after the owner or person having had custody of such animal shall have received notice thereof. Failure to pay such fees shall authorize the disposal of such animal in the discretion of the Chief of Police or Public Nuisance Officer. The disposal or destruction of any such animal during the period of observation shall not exempt the owner or person having had custody thereof from the fees to be charged hereunder.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.090; CC 1989 § 3-99; Code 1972 § 204.04i.]
It shall be the duty of any person bitten by a dog or the parent or guardian of any minor child bitten by a dog to report the same to the Chief of Police or his/her deputies immediately. Such report shall contain the name and address of the owner of the dog, the day and time bitten, the street location where bitten and a general description of the animal. The Chief of Police or his/her deputies shall immediately take the animal into custody or have it confined by the owner thereof under their supervision to determine whether such animal is affected with rabies. If the owner shall not confine such animal in a manner satisfactory to the Chief of Police or his/her deputies, such animal shall be forthwith surrendered to them upon demand.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.100]
Whenever any dog has been bitten by, fought with, or has been substantially exposed to any dog affected with rabies, it shall be the duty of the owner, or person in charge thereof, forthwith to kill such exposed dog or have it immunized against rabies at the owner's or custodian's expense, by the administration of anti-rabic virus by a licensed veterinarian.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.110; CC 1989 § 3-101; Code 1972 § 204.04k.]
The Chief of Police or his/her deputies shall have the power to confine, isolate or impound any domestic animal subject to rabies and affected with rabies or suspected of being rabid or exposed to the disease other than animals of the canine species. The owner or any person having custody of any such domestic animal affected with rabies, suspected of being rabid or exposed to the disease shall be required to report the same immediately. The Chief of Police or his/her deputies shall immediately take such domestic animal into custody and, if found to be rabid or exposed to the disease, shall in their discretion destroy such domestic animal or have such domestic animal confined by the owner thereof under the supervision and discretion in a manner satisfactory to the Chief of Police or his/her deputies.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.120; CC 1989 § 3-102; Ord. No. 628 § 1, 6-30-1975]
No person shall keep, harbor or house on his/her premises or on the premises of others within the City more than three (3) dogs or three (3) cats; except that upon the birth of a litter of dogs or cats, it shall be permissible under this Section that such litter may be kept together with their mother until they reach the age of eight (8) weeks.
[Ord. No. OR-3-2017, 6-12-2017]
A. 
It is hereby declared a vicious animal is dangerous to the public health and is thereby a public nuisance.
B. 
As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DANGEROUS ANIMALS
Is defined to mean:
1. 
Any animal with the known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack without provocation, to cause injury, or to otherwise threaten the safety of human beings or domestic animals; or
2. 
Any animal which, without provocation, has attacked or bitten a human being or domestic animal; or
3. 
Any animal owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of fighting, or any animal trained for fighting; or
4. 
Any animal that, without provocation, chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public or private property in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack.
C. 
Rebuttable Presumption That Certain Dogs Are Dangerous. In addition, in any administrative or judicial proceeding relating to the provisions of this Section, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that any of the following are dangerous animals and may only be owned or maintained within the City in strict compliance with all provisions of this Section: Any bull terrier breed of a dog, which shall be defined as any Staffordshire bull terrier breed of a dog, and/or any American pit bull terrier breed of a dog; and/or any American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog; and/or any mixed breed of dog which contains, as an element of its breeding, genetic components of the aforementioned bull terrier breed of dog; and/or any dog which has the appearance and characteristics and is known by the owner to be predominantly of the breeds of the bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier; and/or any other breed commonly known as "pit bulls," "pit bull dogs" or "pit bull terriers"; or a combination of any of these breeds.
D. 
Prohibition; Exceptions. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, harbor, or have the care or custody of a dangerous animal within the corporate limits of the City, unless said dangerous animal is licensed and registered by the owner with the City as provided herein and is in strict compliance with the limitations, standards, requirements and conditions set forth in Subsection (G) of this Section.
E. 
Declaring An Animal Dangerous. If the North County Police Cooperative, Public Nuisance Officer or designated representative has cause to believe that an animal is dangerous, the chief or designated representative may find and declare that the animal is a dangerous animal and therefore subject to the terms and restrictions of this Section.
F. 
Notice Of Declaring An Animal Dangerous. After declaring an animal dangerous, the commander of police or his or her designated representative shall notify the animal's owner in writing of the declaration. The notice shall identify the requirements and conditions for maintaining a dangerous animal as set forth in this Section. If the owner cannot be located, the animal may be immediately impounded and notice shall be posted on the owner's last known address.
G. 
Hearing On Dangerous Animal Declaration.
1. 
The owner of an animal declared dangerous shall have the right to file, within five (5) days after receiving notice, a written request with the commander of police for a hearing to contest the dangerous animal declaration. The Mayor shall designate a hearing officer to conduct the hearing and render a decision.
2. 
The hearing shall be informal and strict rules of evidence shall not apply. The owner may be represented by counsel, present oral and written evidence, and cross-examine witnesses.
3. 
The hearing officer shall issue a decision after the close of the hearing and notify the owner, in writing, of the decision.
4. 
If the hearing officer upholds the dangerous animal declaration, the owner shall comply with all of the requirements and conditions for maintaining a dangerous animal as set forth in this Section.
5. 
Any person aggrieved by the determination of the hearing officer may appeal the decision to the Circuit Court of St. Louis County pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 536, RSMo.; provided, however, that any appeal must be filed with the circuit court within five (5) days of the date of the hearing officer's decision.
H. 
Registration: Conditions Required To Keep. From and after June 8, 2017, the owner of a dangerous animal may maintain a dangerous animal only subject to the following limitations, requirements, and conditions:
1. 
Registration. Within ten (10) days of July 1, 2017, or the acquisition of a dangerous animal, every keeper or owner of a dangerous animal in the City shall register said animal with the City Clerk of the City on the "dangerous animal" registry. Failure to so register shall constitute a violation of this Section. Notice of this requirement shall be given by posting a copy of this Section in City Hall.
2. 
Leash And Muzzle. No person shall permit a dangerous animal to go outside its kennel or pen unless such animal is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four (4) feet in length with a minimum tensile strength of three hundred (300) pounds. No person shall permit a dangerous animal to be kept on a chain, rope, or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person is in physical control of the leash and animal. Such animal may not be leashed to objects such as trees, posts, buildings, etc. In addition, all dangerous animals on a leash outside the animal's kennel must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such animal from biting persons or other animals. The muzzle must not cause injury to the dangerous animal or interfere with its vision or respiration, but must prevent the dangerous animal from biting any human or animal.
3. 
Confinement. All dangerous animals shall be securely confined indoors as set out in this Subsection or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed and muzzled as above provided. The pen, kennel or structure must be suitable to prevent the entry of young children and designed to prevent the dangerous animal from escaping. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides and must have minimum dimensions of five (5) feet by ten (10) feet. All structures used to confine dangerous animals must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure. Such structure must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen or, if the structure has no bottom secured to the sides, the sides of the pen must be embedded in the ground no less than one (1) foot. All structures erected to house dangerous animals must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City. All such structures must be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition. The structure, when occupied by a dangerous animal, shall not be occupied by any other animal. If the dangerous animal is a female with offspring under two (2) months of age, the offspring may occupy the same enclosure as the mother. No dangerous animal may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the animal to exit such building on its own volition. In addition, no such animal may be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacles preventing the animal from exiting the structure.
4. 
Owners, keepers or harborers of dangerous animals within the City shall display in a prominent place on their premises a sign reading in letters not less than two (2) inches high "Beware of Dangerous Animal" and easily readable by the public. The owner shall also display a sign with a symbol warning children of the presence of a dangerous animal. In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on the kennel or pen of such animal.
I. 
Insurance. All owners, keepers or harborers of dangerous animals must provide proof to the City Clerk of public liability insurance in a single incident amount of not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for bodily injury to or death of any person or persons or for damage to property owned by any persons which may result from the ownership, keeping or maintenance of such animal. An effective insurance policy with the coverage and in the amounts specified herein must be maintained by the owner, keeper or harborer at all times. Such insurance policy shall provide that no cancellation, termination or expiration of the policy will be made unless ten (10) days' written notice is first given to the City Clerk of the City.
J. 
Photographs. All owners, keepers or harborers of dangerous animals must provide to the office of the City Clerk two (2) color photographs, in two (2) different positions, clearly showing the color, markings and approximate size of the animal.
K. 
Reporting Requirements. All owners, keepers or harborers of dangerous animals must, within ten (10) days of any of the following incidents, report said information, in writing, to the City Clerk:
1. 
The removal from the City or death of a dangerous animal;
2. 
The birth of offspring of a dangerous animal;
3. 
The new address of a dangerous animal owner should the owner move from one (1) address within the corporate City limits to another address within the corporate City limits.
L. 
Loose, Unconfined Or Missing Dangerous Animal. The owner, keeper, or harborer shall notify the Police Department immediately if a dangerous animal becomes loose, unconfined, missing, has attacked another animal, or has attacked a human being.
M. 
Sale Or Transfer Of Ownership. No person shall sell, barter, or in any other way dispose of a dangerous animal to any person within the City; provided, that the owner of a dangerous animal may sell or otherwise dispose of an animal or the offspring of such animal to persons who do not reside within the City.
N. 
Offspring Of Dangerous Animals. All offspring born of dangerous animals within the City must be removed from the City within two (2) months of their birth.
O. 
Failure To Comply. It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dangerous animal within the City to fail to comply with the limitations, requirements, and conditions set forth in this Section. Any animal found to be the subject of a violation of this Section shall be subject to revocation of the license and/or registration of the animal and immediate seizure and impoundment. The owner shall be required to take necessary action to dispose of such dangerous animal and the City Clerk is further authorized to dispose of such dangerous animal if necessary action is not taken by the owner.
P. 
Violations And Penalties. Any person violating or permitting the violation of any provision of this Section shall, upon conviction in municipal court, be punished as provided in other penal Ordinances of the City and/or as imposed by the judge in the City's municipal court. In addition, the court shall order the registration of the subject dangerous animal revoked and the animal removed from the City. Should the defendant refuse to remove the animal from the City, the municipal court judge may find the defendant owner in contempt and order the immediate confiscation and impoundment of the animal. Each day that a violation of this Section continues shall be deemed a separate offense. In addition to the foregoing penalties, any person who violates this Section shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, handling, veterinary care and testimony, necessitated by the enforcement of this Section.
Q. 
Authority For Additional Relief. In addition to any other provisions or penalties established for violations of this Chapter, the commander of police of the City may, after approval by the board of Aldermen, apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for such legal or equitable relief as may be necessary to enforce compliance with the provisions of this Section. In such action, the court may grant such legal or equitable relief, including, but not limited to, mandatory or prohibitory injunctive relief, as the facts may warrant.
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.
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.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.160; CC 1989 § 6-35; Code 1972 § 203.30]
It shall be unlawful to sell, give or award or offer to sell, give or award any fowl under one (1) month of age or of any live rabbit less than six (6) weeks of age unless such sale, gift or award of the rabbit or fowl includes its dam or hen.
[R.O. 2012 § 205.170; CC 1989 § 3-104; Ord. No. 628 § 1, 6-30-1975]
The City may contract with the County for the services, facilities or functions required for the enforcement of this Chapter upon the terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by and between the Board of Aldermen and the County.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Section 205.180, Regulations Of Pit Bull Dogs, adopted December 10, 2012, by Ord. No. OR-40-2012, was superseded by Ord. No. OR-3-2017. See now Section 205.130.