[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
A.
The purpose of this Code is to protect the public health, safety
and welfare of the animals and citizens of Raymore. These include
but are not limited to:
1.
To protect citizens and other animals from dangerous animals.
2.
To minimize safety hazards and ensure that the public health
and welfare will be safeguarded.
3.
To ensure adequate care for animals.
4.
To preserve the value of the property throughout the City.
5.
To provide mechanisms for the enforcement and administration
of this Code to ensure that the above purposes are accomplished.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
Owners of every animal/pet shall conform to the requirements
of this Code, regardless of when an animal/pet was acquired.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
If any Section, Subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion
of this Chapter is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional
by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed
a separate, distinct and independent, and such holding shall not affect
the validity of the remaining portions thereof.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
For the purpose of this Chapter, the following words and phrases
shall have the following interpretation and/or meanings indicated
below:
The condition of an animal being deserted, or having the
protection of its owner or caregiver withdrawn.
Normal and prudent attention to the needs of an animal, including
wholesome food, clean water, shelter and health care as necessary
to maintain good health in a specific species of animal.
Any living vertebrate or invertebrate creature, domestic
or wild, except human beings.
Any member of the Police Department, person, firm, association
or corporation authorized by the City or contracted with the City
to enforce this Chapter.
An animal that is off the premises of the owner and not under
the control of the owner or a member of their immediate family or
their agent, by leash or other means of restraint.
Any contact between an animal's mouth and teeth, and skin
of a bite victim which causes visible trauma such as a puncture wound,
laceration, abrasion, or other piercing of the skin.
The Raymore Municipal Court, a Division of the 17th Judicial
Circuit Court of the State of Missouri.
Any animal declared to be a dangerous animal as set forth in Section 205.130 of the Raymore City Code.
Any animal domesticated by a person so as to live and breed
in a tame condition.
Any barrier consisting of posts, wire, boards or electronic
means used to prevent entry to property or confine animals to the
same.
Hens, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, doves, pigeons, cornish
game hens or other fowl raised for profit, hobby or kept as pets.
To feed or shelter an animal at the same location for three
(3) or more consecutive days.
Horses, mules, sheep, goats, cattle, swine and other domesticated
animals, excluding dogs and cats.
In addition to its ordinary meaning, any person who keeps
or harbors an animal or profession to be owning, keeping, or harboring
an animal.
Any animal kept for pleasure rather than utility.
An instrument or a means of restraining an animal either
by electronic means, fence, leash or by verbal commands to which the
animal immediately responds.
Any animal that is individually trained to do work or perform
tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability or an animal
trained for public safety purposes.
Occurring without motivation or provocation.
Any animal which can normally be found living in a state
of nature and not ordinarily tame or domesticated.
All wild or exotic birds, mammals, fish and other aquatic
and amphibious forms, and all other wild animals, regardless of classification,
whether resident, migratory or imported, protected or unprotected.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Section 205.060, License, was repealed
8-22-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-069.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Section 205.070, License Registration/Fee,
was repealed 8-22-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-069.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Section 205.080, License Fee —
When Payable, was repealed 8-22-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-069.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
A.
Should any dog or cat be picked up by the Animal Control Officer
that does not have a current tag, and the owner is unable to show
proof of vaccination, such owner, prior to release of the dog or cat,
shall be responsible for any costs associated with impoundment.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
The owning, harboring or keeping of four (4) dogs and cats total
over six (6) months of age upon any property in the City shall be
deemed a nuisance. Upon adequately showing that the premises are so
situated and that special circumstances exist which would not constitute
a nuisance to the neighborhood, the owner or keeper may request a
use variance from the Board of Adjustment under the Unified Development
Code to keep or harbor a combination of more than four (4) dogs or
cats upon adequately showing that the premises are so situated and
that special circumstances exist which would not constitute a nuisance
to the neighborhood.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
A.
It shall be unlawful for any owner, keeper or harborer of an animal
to allow an animal to run at large within the City. An animal shall
be kept within the owner's private premises by some person in charge
of the animal. An animal shall be deemed running at large unless:
1.
The animal is on the premises of the owner; or
2.
The animal is confined within a building, enclosure or the passenger
compartment of a motor vehicle; or
3.
On a durable leash, cord, chain, or similar restraint and under
the physical control of a competent person who is capable of controlling
the animal.
B.
The owner of any animal found running at large, shall be responsible for any costs associated with impoundment. Any owner who is in violation or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be, upon conviction or a plea of guilty, subject to the penalty provisions provided for in Section 100.220 of the City Code.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
A.
Any animal found in the City running at large in violation of Section 205.110 or otherwise in violation of this Chapter, may be placed in the City animal shelter.
B.
Every animal placed in the City's animal shelter shall be held for
recovery by the owner for a period of not less than five (5) regular
business days. (A regular business day is a day during which the animal
shelter is open for business to the public.)
C.
In
such instance a dog or cat arrives at the shelter in so sick or injured
a condition that in the judgment of the Animal Control Officer or
a licensed veterinarian, human compassion requires the suffering be
promptly ended, the time period shall not apply and the animal will
be humanely euthanized to prevent needless suffering.
D.
Upon the impoundment of any animal, the owner of the animal, if known,
shall be notified. If the owner is unknown, all efforts shall be made
to identify and contact the owner.
E.
In case the owner shall desire to reclaim the animal from the animal
shelter, the owner must:
1.
Produce proof that the animal has had a valid rabies vaccination
as required by this Chapter;
2.
Pay all maintenance costs, as established from time to time
by the City, for keeping the animal while in the animal shelter as
approved by the Governing Body and listed in the Schedule of Fees
and Charges maintained in the Finance Department;
3.
Pay the impoundment fee as approved by the Governing Body and
listed in the Schedule of Fees and Charges maintained in the Finance
Department.
F.
If an impounded animal is not reclaimed by the owner within five
(5) days after impoundment and notice of such impoundment, the animal
may be placed in a good home or transferred to another facility for
adoption.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
It shall be unlawful to keep or harbor any female dog or cat
within an unconfined area during such time as she is in heat. The
owner shall keep such dog or cat confined in a building or secure
structure or in a veterinary hospital or boarding kennel in a manner
that such female animal cannot come in contact with other animals.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person's animal to inflict or attempt
to inflict bodily injury to any person or other animal whether or
not the owner is present. However, this shall not apply to a dog under
the control of a Law Enforcement Officer or to an attack upon an uninvited
intruder who has entered the owner's property with criminal intent.
B.
A dangerous animal is one (1) that:
1.
Has inflicted a severe or fatal injury on a human being. Severe
injury means any physical injury resulting directly from an animal's
bite that results in broken bones, lacerations requiring stitches
or in-patient hospitalization. A victim who receives severe injuries
must provide the Police Department with a signed physician's statement
documenting injury and treatment qualifying such as a severe injury
or sign an authorization for release of such statement;
2.
Has killed a dog, cat or other domestic animal without provocation
while off the owner's property;
3.
Is owned or harbored primarily or in part for animal fighting;
4.
Has bitten a human being without provocation on public or private
property;
5.
When unprovoked, chases or approaches a person upon the streets,
sidewalks or any public grounds or private property other than the
property of the owner in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of
attack, regardless of whether or not a person is injured by such animal;
or
6.
Any animal with a known propensity, tendency or disposition
to attack unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise threaten the
safety of human beings and domestic animals.
C.
Law Enforcement Officers shall have the authority to designate any animal as a dangerous animal upon receiving evidence that the animal meets any of the criteria for a dangerous animal set forth in Subsection (B) above. When such a designation is made, at least one (1) owner of the animal, if known, shall be served a summons notifying the person of the designation and informing them of their right to appeal such designation by appearing in court. Pending a disposition by the court, the animal must be confined in such a manner as determined by the Animal Control Officer. The Animal Control Officer shall be authorized to require confinement of the animal by permitting the owner to have the animal confined at a veterinary facility or kennel, or by permitting the animal to be confined on the owner's premises in such secure facilities as are approved by the Animal Control Officer. If the animal is deemed dangerous by the court, the court shall issue an order to have the animal euthanized or removed from the City. If removal is authorized by the court, the animal shall be placed in the custody of Animal Control while the owner makes immediate arrangements to have the animal removed from the City. If the animal is not removed within twenty-four (24) hours, animal control shall make arrangements for humane euthanization after an order from the Raymore Municipal Judge.
D.
Exceptions to dangerous animal classification:
1.
With the exception of Subsection (B)(1) above, no animal may be declared to be dangerous if the injury, damage or threat was sustained by a person who, at the time, was committing an illegal act upon the premises occupied by the owner of the animal; was teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the animal; has in the past been observed or reported to have teased, tormented, abused or assaulted the animal; or was committing or attempting to commit a crime.
2.
With the exception of Subsection (B)(1) above, the Animal Control Officer may, because of extenuating circumstances, determine from the investigation of an incident that an animal is not dangerous. However, the owner may be warned of the animal's tendencies and to take appropriate action to prevent subsequent incidents. This, however, does not exempt the owner from being cited for other Animal Control ordinance violations.
E.
Any owner of an animal declared to be a dangerous animal and is in violation of, or failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Section shall be, upon conviction or a plea of guilty, subject to the penalty provisions provided for in Section 100.220 of the City Code, in addition, the dangerous animal shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
It shall be unlawful for anyone to set or use traps within the
City limits unless authorized by the Police Department. If a trap
is approved, said property owner may request a trap from Animal Control
and immediately inform Animal Control if an animal is caught. Furthermore,
it is a violation of this Section for anyone to tamper with, alter
or otherwise damage any trap set by Animal Control.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
If it has been determined that an animal has bitten a human
or another animal, the animal is to be quarantined for a period of
no less than ten (10) days and may be placed at the residence of the
owner at the discretion of the Animal Control Officer, if a current
rabies vaccination record is produced. If no current rabies vaccination
record exists, the animal will be quarantined in the City's animal
shelter or a veterinarian of the Animal Control Officer's choosing,
and the owner shall be notified of the location of quarantine. The
animal must remain within the City limits for the entire period of
quarantine.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
If an animal infected with rabies is delivered to a veterinary
hospital or clinic, notice of the name and location of such hospital
or clinic shall be immediately furnished to the City by the owner,
keeper of such animal, or Animal Control Officer. In addition, the
City shall be notified immediately by the veterinarian in charge of
an animal in the event of the death of the animal while under observation
in a veterinary hospital or animal clinic.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
It shall be the duty of the owner or keeper of any infected
animal upon receiving notice of the infection to immediately place
such animal in a duly licensed veterinary hospital or clinic where
the animal shall be confined for a period of at least ten (10) days
or to convey or cause such animal to be conveyed to an animal shelter
which is to be designated by the City, where such animal shall be
secured or confined for a period of at least ten (10) days, at the
expense of the owner or keeper of said animal.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
Animals that are so severely diseased, dangerous, or injured,
may be euthanized without impoundment by any licensed veterinarian
or individual authorized by the Chief of Police.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
A.
A person is guilty of animal neglect when they have custody or ownership
or both of an animal and fails to provide adequate care or adequate
control which could result in harm or inhumane conditions to the animal.
B.
A person is guilty of animal abandonment when they have knowingly
abandoned an animal in any place without making provisions for its
adequate care.
C.
Animal neglect or animal abandonment are ordinance violations. Upon conviction or a plea of guilty, any person, firm or corporation violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be subject to the penalty provisions provided for in Section 100.220 of the City Code.
D.
In addition to any other penalty imposed by this Section, the court
may order a person found guilty of animal neglect or animal abandonment
to pay all reasonable costs and expenses necessary as allowed by Section
578.009, RSMo.
E.
Any
animal found abandoned, neglected, cruelly treated or in such a condition
as to constitute a direct and immediate threat to its life, safety
or health may be impounded immediately for a period of seventy-two
(72) hours. If it is determined by a veterinarian that such an animal
is so diseased or disabled and suffering, the animal shall immediately
be humanely disposed of as deemed appropriate.
F.
The
court may order the impoundment of such animal beyond such 72-hour
period if the animal is in such a condition as to constitute a direct
and immediate threat to its life, safety or health or as the court
otherwise deems appropriate for the health and safety of the public.
G.
Any
person who owns, keeps, harbors, maintains, or controls any animal
involved in such impoundment shall pay all expenses, including shelter,
food, veterinary expenses, boarding, or other expenses, necessitated
by the impoundment of the animal for the protection of the public
and other expenses as may be required.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
Whenever any animal is found confined in a motor vehicle in
a public place under weather conditions that endanger its life as
determined by Animal Control or a Law Enforcement Officer, the Officers
are authorized to enter such vehicle and rescue such animal and impound
it in accordance with this Chapter. A prominent written notice shall
be left on the vehicle advising that the animal has been removed and
impounded in accordance with this Section.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
The keeping or harboring of any animal which is frequently and
habitually loud (barking, howling, yelping or making any other loud
or unusual noise) and frequently disturbs the peace of any neighborhood,
based on a signed complaint, is prohibited and declared to be a public
nuisance and unlawful under this Code. It shall be the duty of any
person harboring or keeping such loud animal to abate said nuisance,
and if they fail to do so, the City may impound the animal or take
any other appropriate action to abate said nuisance.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any animals in a
pen, shed, yard or other confined area within the City limits from
which offensive odors are emitted. The maintaining of animals in such
conditions shall be a violation of this Section.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
A.
Any animal or group of animals which behave in the following manner
will be considered a public nuisance:
1.
Molests any passerby or chases passing vehicles, including bicycles,
when upon public property.
2.
Attacks any other animal.
3.
Is in heat and not properly confined.
4.
Is running at large.
5.
Damages public or private property.
6.
Barks, whines, howls, meows or creates any other disturbance
which is continuous or untimely so as to disturb an individual who
is a neighbor and who does in writing state they will so testify if
called upon to testify about such matter under oath. For purposes
of this Section, a "neighbor" is defined as an individual residing
in a residence structure which is within one hundred (100) yards of
the property on which the animal is kept or harbored.
7.
Is ridden, driven or led on public property in such a manner
to obstruct or interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
8.
Causes injury to a person.
9.
Threatens or causes a condition which endangers public health
or safety.
10.
Impedes refuse collection by ripping any bag or tipping any
container of refuse.
11.
If a neighbor signs a complaint that the animal is entering
upon the neighbor's property and it is found on that neighbor's property
after that complaint.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor any living
creature that is not customarily regarded as capable of being domesticated
or any living creature whose size, inherent characteristics, physical
attributes or dangerous propensities make it a threat to human health
whose nature precludes it being safely kept in captivity or to whom
captivity would be detrimental to its health.
B.
With the exception of areas zoned agricultural or rural estate, the
following animals are specifically prohibited: chickens, turkeys,
potbellied pigs, ducks, sheep, goats, and otters.
C.
Zoological parks performing animal exhibitions and circuses are exempt
from the requirements of this Chapter and may exhibit, display or
allow wild animals to perform upon acquiring the proper permits to
do so under the Codes of the City.
D.
Any person finding or capturing any wild animal shall make a report
to the Animal Control Officer within twenty-four (24) hours of the
time of capture.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
A.
A person is guilty of animal abuse when a person violates the provisions
of Section 578.012, RSMo.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
A person commits the offense of assault on a Police animal if
their actions are as defined in Section 575.353, RSMo.
It shall be unlawful for any person to promote, train animals for, conduct, participate in or collect any monies from or on account of animal fighting. Upon conviction or a plea of guilty, any person, firm or corporation violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be subject to the penalty provisions provided for in Section 100.220 of the City Code.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
A.
No person owning, keeping or having custody of a dog or cat shall
allow or permit excrement of their animal to remain on public property,
private property other than the owner of the animal without consent
of the owner or occupant or allow the excrement to cause foul odor
on the owner's property.
B.
Any person owning, keeping or having custody of an animal shall immediately
remove the excrement deposited by the animal if deposited on property
other than that of the owner of the animal.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
Any person, firm or corporation that maintains in this City
a kennel where dogs are kept for sale shall obtain an occupational
license under this Code.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022[1]]
A.
No
owner, keeper, harborer, or maintainer of a dog shall allow that dog
to remain in the yard of any property unless the dog is under supervision,
or confined as provided in this Section.
B.
If
the dog is not under supervision while remaining in the yard of any
property, the dog must be securely confined by enclosed fencing or
in a securely enclosed and locked pen, structure, or run. Such fencing
or pen, structure, or run must be suitable for preventing the animal
from escaping. A locked pen, structure, or run must have minimum dimensions
of five (5) feet by ten (10) feet and must have secure sides and a
secure top. If it has no bottom secured to the sides, the sides must
be embedded into the ground no less than twelve (12) inches. The enclosure
must also provide protection from the elements for the dog.
C.
If
the dog is confined to the residential property of the owner, keeper,
harborer or maintainer by an electronic fence or an electronic collar,
the dog shall not be permitted to be nearer than five (5) feet away
from any public street or sidewalk or property line that is contiguous
to neighboring property.
[1]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 2022-069 also changed the title of
this Section from "Offenses Involving Tags" to "Fencing."
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022[1]]
A.
No
owner, keeper, harborer, or maintainer of a dog may tether, fasten,
chain, or tie a dog, or allow his/her dog to be tethered, fastened,
chained, or tied to any permanent or temporary structure, any post
attached to the ground or any permanent or temporary structure, or
to any weight designed to restrict the dog's freedom of movement to
a limited area of space, except where:
1.
The tethering, fastening, chaining, or tying of the dog to any structure,
post, or weight, is temporary; and
2.
The tethering, fastening, chaining, or tying of the dog to any structure,
post, or weight is under supervision of the owner, keeper, harborer,
or maintainer or a responsible person to whom the task of supervision
is delegated.
B.
The
tethering, fastening, chaining, or tying of a dog to any structure
or post shall be considered temporary only if the time the dog is
tethered, fastened, chained, or tied to any structure, post, or weight
is:
[1]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 2022-069 also changed the title of
this Section from "Tag Refund" to "Tethering."
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
Any animal impounded in the public animal shelter of the City shall be released to the owner upon compliance with Section 205.115 and payment of impoundment and maintenance fees approved by the Governing Body and listed in the Schedule of Fees and Charges maintained in the Finance Department.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
Notice of impoundment shall immediately be made, if possible,
by the City to the owner or keeper of the animal if known to the Animal
Control Officer. Failure to receive such notice, within five (5) days,
shall not prevent the City or its authorized agency from carrying
out the provisions of this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
It is unlawful for any unauthorized person to take or attempt
to take from any Officer any animal taken up by them in compliance
with this Code or in any manner to interfere with or hinder such Officer
in the discharge of their duties under this Code.
[Ord. No. 2022-069, 8-22-2022]
Upon conviction or a plea of guilty, any person, firm or corporation violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be subject to the penalty provisions provided for in Section 100.220 of the City Code.
