Violation of this article shall be a class C misdemeanor. Any person found to be in violation of the provisions of this article shall be subject to a fine of not less nor more than the applicable state maximum penalties established from time to time for the enforcement of municipal ordinances.
(Ordinance 2014-396A, sec. 10, adopted 10/14/14)
This is a strict liability ordinance and no culpable mental state need be shown to establish a violation of this article.
(Ordinance 2014-396A, sec. 14, adopted 10/14/14)
When a restraint is used to tether an animal, it shall be placed or attached so that it cannot become entangled with the restraining device of any other animal or with any other object. It shall be affixed by means of a well-fitted collar, and shall be at least four (4) times the length of the animal as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail and shall allow the animal convenient access to food, water and shelter adequate to protect the animal from the elements.
(Ordinance 2014-396A, sec. 9, adopted 10/14/14)
Public nuisance means, within the meaning of this article, any animal which molests passerby or passing vehicles; attacks another animal; trespasses on school grounds/property; is repeatedly at large; damages or destroys private property or public property; causes pecuniary loss or substantial inconvenience to a person other than its owner; or barks, whines or howls in an excessive, continuous or untimely manner.
(Ordinance 2019-05 adopted 6/11/19)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep or be in control of any animal which causes unreasonably loud or unnecessary noise that causes material annoyance, distress or discomfort to persons of ordinary sensibilities in the immediate vicinity.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful for any owner or handler of an animal to fail to keep the premises where the animal is kept free from odors that are disturbing to any person residing within reasonable proximity of the premises.
(c) 
Every owner or handler of any animal shall promptly, in a sanitary manner, remove and dispose of excreta deposited by the animal on any public or private property not owned or occupied by the animal owner or handler.
(d) 
It is unlawful to allow animals or premises where animals are kept becoming infested with fleas, ticks or other vermin, by failing to diligently and systematically apply accepted methods of insect and parasite control.
(Ordinance 2019-05 adopted 6/11/19)
Any owner of any dog which has reached the age of four months and which is found within the city limits shall have said dog administered an anti-rabies treatment by a licensed veterinarian annually.
(Ordinance 2014-396A, sec. 1, adopted 10/14/14)
(a) 
Required.
Every owner of any dog within the limits of the city shall procure a tag for each such dog, except where:
(1) 
The dog is less than four months of age; and
(2) 
The dog is a police dog used by the police department.
(b) 
Contents of tag.
Each such tag shall legibly contain the following information:
(1) 
The name and address of the owner of the dog;
(2) 
The expiration date of the dog’s most recent anti-rabies treatment; and
(3) 
The name of the veterinarian who provided the anti-rabies treatment.
(c) 
Wearing of tag.
Such tag shall be securely fixed to a collar, harness or other device to be worn at all times by the dog for whom the tag is issued except while such dog remains indoors or in an enclosed yard or pen.
(d) 
Exhibition of tag.
No owner of a dog shall remove or refuse to show to any police officer or any other authorized officer of the city the tag for any dog owned by or in his care, custody or control.
(e) 
Removal of tag prohibited.
No unauthorized person shall remove from any dog any collar, harness or other device to which is attached an unexpired tag, or remove such tag therefrom.
(f) 
Transfer of tag prohibited.
No person shall place any tag required by this article upon any collar, harness or other device to be worn by any dog other than the dog for which the tag was issued.
(Ordinance 2014-396A, secs. 2–7, adopted 10/14/14)
(a) 
Prohibition.
No owner of any dog shall cause or permit such dog to be or run at large upon any public place or any private property other than that of such owner except with the prior consent of the person in charge of such private property unless such dog is securely restrained by a substantial leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length and is under the charge and control of a person competent to keep such dog under effective charge and control.
(b) 
Exceptions.
Nothing in this section shall prevent a dog from being used without a leash:
(1) 
To hunt wild birds or game or to herd, guard, gather, or otherwise work domestic animals or fowl; or
(2) 
For obedience training or exercise in or upon a public place so long as such dog does not wrongfully harm or damage or threaten to harm or damage any person on public or private property.
(c) 
Confinement of female dogs in heat.
The owner of any female dog shall keep such dog confined in a secure enclosure during the time that such dog is in heat to prevent the attraction of other dogs.
(Ordinance 2014-396A, sec. 8, adopted 10/14/14)
License,
unless the context requires otherwise, shall be synonymous with a permit issued under this article.
Livestock
includes horses, cattle, goats, sheep, roosters and chickens and any other animals excluding dogs, cats, fish, rabbits and household pets ordinarily confined within a home.
Person
means any firm, company, partnership, corporation, association, club, society or other organization.
(Ordinance 393, sec. 2, adopted 5/8/12)
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provisions of this article or failing to observe any provisions hereof shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than $500.00 and each and every day or fraction of a day during which this article, or any part thereof, shall be violated, shall be deemed a separate offense and punishable as such. For second and additional offenses, the fine shall not be more than $2000.00.
(Ordinance 393, sec. 6, adopted 5/8/12)
It shall be unlawful for any person who owns or controls any livestock to permit or allow such livestock to be loose and unrestrained outside such person’s residence (including the yard of the residence) or fenced property owned by a person. “Loose” shall mean without restraints such as a halter, reins, leash or other restraint preventing such livestock to wander.
(Ordinance 393, sec. 3, adopted 5/8/12)
(a) 
Every person who owns or controls livestock within the city limits shall file with the city secretary an application in writing on a form to be furnished by the city, which shall provide the following information:
(1) 
Proof of age, address and identification of the applicant, to be provided through the applicant’s driver’s license, articles of creation or incorporation as applicable, or other legally recognized form of identification; photo identification required.
(2) 
A brief description of the livestock owned or controlled within the city.
(b) 
There shall be an application fee in the amount set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code for each applicant, to cover the cost of processing the application.
(c) 
The city secretary will issue a permit upon approval of an application and payment. A copy will be issued to the chief of police along with documentation.
(d) 
The permit will be issued for a time frame of one year and must be displayed upon demand by any peace officer or city employee responsible for enforcement of this article. The applicant must report any material changes to the city secretary within the [a] one-month time frame.
(Ordinance 393, sec. 4, adopted 5/8/12; Ordinance adopting Code)
The permitting requirements and the requirements related to identification of this article shall not apply to any person who is a veterinarian practicing at a location within the city.
(Ordinance 393, sec. 5, adopted 5/8/12)