The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Abandonment.
To desert or leave without care.
Animal.
Dog or cat.
Animal control authority.
The person designated to enforce this chapter.
Animal establishment.
Any pet shop, grooming shop, animal auction, performing animal exhibit or animal shelter, except this term shall not include veterinary medical facilities, licensed research facilities, facilities operated by government agencies, or licensed animal dealers regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture under the provisions of United States Public Laws 89544 and 91579.
Animal shelter.
A facility designed or recognized by the city for the purpose of impounding and caring for animals.
At large.
At large means an animal that meets one (1) of the following criteria:
(1) 
On premises of owner.
Any animal not confined to the premises of the owner by some physical means of sufficient height, strength, length, and/or manner of construction to preclude the animal from leaving the premises of the owner. Any animal being contained by a fence that, because of the fence’s lack of height or general disrepair, cannot properly restrict the animal, shall be considered at large.
(2) 
Off premises of owner.
Any animal which is not physically and continually restrained by some person by means of a leash or chain of proper strength and length that precludes the animal from making unsolicited contact with any person, their clothing, their property, or their premises.
Humane manner.
Care of an animal, to include, but not be limited to, adequate heat, ventilation, and sanitary shelter, wholesome food and water, consistent with the normal requirements and feeding habits of the animal’s size, species, and breed.
Neutered.
Rendered permanently incapable of reproduction.
Nuisance.
A dog or cat which damages, soils, defiles, or defecates on private property other than the owner’s or on public walks and recreation areas unless such waste is immediately removed and properly disposed of by the owner; causes unsanitary, dangerous or offensive conditions; chases vehicles, or molests, attacks, or interferes with persons or other domestic animals on public property; is at large; or makes an unreasonable amount of noise, to the disturbance of the occupants of neighboring properties.
Owner.
A person having the right of property or custody of a dog or cat or who keeps or harbors a dog or cat or knowingly permits a dog or cat to remain on or about any premises occupied by that person for more than seventy-two (72) hours.
Pet shop.
An establishment engaged in the business of buying or selling, at retail, dogs or cats or other animals for profit-making purposes.
Restraint.
A dog or cat within the real property limits of its owner and secured by a leash or lead or confined by a building, wall or fence of sufficient strength or construction to restrain the dog or cat or under the control of a responsible person.
Wild animal.
Any mammal except the common domestic species, specifically, dogs, house cats, horses, cattle, swine, sheep and goats.
(Ordinance 465, sec. 16, adopted 8/19/90; 2004 Code, sec. 2.201; Ordinance 607, sec. 1, adopted 6/18/07)
Any person who shall violate the provisions of this chapter by engaging in any unlawful conduct described therein shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in accordance with the general penalty provision set forth in section 1.01.009 of this code, and each and every day of such violation shall be deemed a separate and complete offense hereunder.
(Ordinance 465, sec. 25, adopted 8/19/90; 2004 Code, sec. 2.210)
(a) 
Animal establishments.
The following fees shall be levied and collected pursuant to this chapter:
(1) 
Annual permit for an animal establishment: $10.00.
(2) 
If application for a permit is reapplication after the revocation of the permit, the annual permit fee shall be $20.00.
(b) 
Animal impoundment fees.
The following fees shall be charged for animal impoundment:
(1) 
First impoundment: $50.00 (plus a daily handling fee as set forth below).
(2) 
Second impoundment: $100.00 (plus a daily handling fee as set forth below).
(3) 
Third impoundment and each impoundment thereafter: $200.00 (plus a daily handling fee as set forth below).
(4) 
Daily handling fee (nonquarantined animal): $15.00.
(5) 
Daily handling fee (quarantined animal): $20.00.
(c) 
Adoption fee (each animal).
(1) 
Puppy or kitten: $10.00 (puppy or kitten under three (3) months of age).
(2) 
Adult dog or cat: $15.00.
(3) 
City tag: $5.00.
(Ordinance 465, sec. 24, adopted 8/19/90; Ordinance 473 adopted 9/21/92; Ordinance 568 adopted 6/21/04; 2004 Code, sec. 2.209; Ordinance 594 adopted 8/21/06; Ordinance 599 adopted 11/20/06; Ordinance 632 adopted 7/20/09; Ordinance 702 adopted 12/17/18)
(a) 
Restraint of dogs.
All dogs shall be kept under restraint.
(b) 
Tag required.
No dog or cat shall be kept within the corporate city limits without a city tag, which will be valid for a period of one (1) year.
(c) 
Nuisance animals.
(1) 
No dog or cat shall be allowed to cause a nuisance. When it reasonably appears to the city that any animal is a nuisance as defined in this chapter, and that such nuisance should be abated, the city shall first attempt to obtain the written consent of the animal’s owner to abate the animal. Abatement shall be defined to include either relocating or euthanizing the animal. If the animal owner’s consent cannot be readily obtained, the city may file a complaint in the municipal court charging the maintenance of a nuisance. The charge shall set forth the facts according to the best of the city’s information and belief, indicating that the owner is maintaining a nuisance, and the nuisance should be abated. Until such time as the owner may be summoned to appear before the court, the animal(s) may be taken into impound by the animal control department and held there pending a decision by the court. If the complaint is denied, a hearing will be set pursuant to the normal procedure of the court. If the court finds that the complaint of maintaining a nuisance has been proven, the city will seek an order from the court setting out the method of abatement. If relocation is ordered, the court may set whatever conditions are necessary to guarantee that said animal shall not constitute a nuisance in the future.
(2) 
In the event the court determines that the animal is a nuisance, the owner shall pay the cost of all impoundment fees, maintenance fees, or any other fee that may incur as a result of such impoundment.
(Ordinance 465, sec. 18, adopted 8/19/90; Ordinance 568 adopted 6/21/04; 2004 Code, sec. 2.203; Ordinance 607, sec. 2, adopted 6/18/07)
(a) 
The following may be impounded:
(1) 
Any animal or wild animal at-large, or not under restraint;
(2) 
Any animal or wild animal that has bitten a human being or needs to be placed under observation for rabies determination by the animal control authority.
(b) 
Immediately upon impounding a dog or cat, the animal control authority shall make every reasonable effort to notify the owner and inform such owner of the conditions whereby custody of the animal may be regained. Dogs and cats not claimed by their owners within a period of three (3) full days in which the shelter is open to the public shall become the property of the city.
(c) 
When a dog is found running at-large, and its ownership is verified by the animal control authority, the authority may exercise the option of serving the owner with a citation in lieu of impounding the animal.
(d) 
If the animal control authority finds dogs or cats to be suffering, it shall have the right forthwith to remove or cause to have removed any such animals to a safe place for care at the owner’s expense, or euthanize them when necessary to prevent further suffering. Return to the owner may be withheld until the owner shall have made full payment for all expenses so incurred.
(e) 
Disposal of an animal by any method specified in this section does not relieve the owner of liability for violations and any accrued charge.
(f) 
Any animal being held under quarantine or observation for rabies shall not be released to the owner until the animal has been released from such quarantine.
(g) 
Any impounded dog or cat may be given up for adoption following the expiration of the applicable waiting period set forth in subsection (b) above, except those under quarantine.
(h) 
An adoption fee shall be paid as set forth in section 2.01.003(c). Vaccination fees and veterinary costs may be assessed above and beyond the adoption fee.
(Ordinance 465, sec. 19, adopted 8/19/90; Ordinance 473 adopted 9/21/92; Ordinance 568 adopted 6/21/04; 2004 Code, sec. 2.204; Ordinance 702 adopted 12/17/18)
It shall be unlawful to abandon, desert or dump any animal in the city.
(Ordinance 465, sec. 23, adopted 8/19/90; 2004 Code, sec. 2.208)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor any wild animal within the corporate limits of the city, excepting commercial establishments dealing in the sale of these animals and zoos that have proper facilities for restraint and care of these animals.
(b) 
The animal control authority and the city health officer may set up conditions under which it would be permissible to keep or harbor wild animals in the city on a temporary basis.
(Ordinance 465, sec. 1, adopted 8/19/90; 2004 Code, art. 2.100)