It is unlawful for any owner to permit any dog to engage in any of the following behavior:
(1) 
Level 1 Behavior. Level 1 behavior occurs when a dog is at large.
(2) 
Level 2 Behavior. Level 2 behavior occurs when a dog, while at large, menaces, chases, displays threatening or aggressive behavior, or otherwise threatens or endangers the safety of any person, domestic animal or livestock.
(3) 
Level 3 Behavior. Level 3 behavior occurs when a dog, while at large, causes physical injury to any person, domestic animal or livestock.
(4) 
Level 4 Behavior. Level 4 behavior occurs when a dog, although not at large, bites or causes physical injury to any person.
(5) 
Level 5 Behavior. Level 5 behavior occurs when a dog, while at large, bites or causes severe injury to any person, or kills any domestic animal or livestock.
(6) 
Level 6 Behavior. Level 6 behavior occurs when a dog:
(a) 
Whether or not confined, causes the serious physical injury or death of any natural person; or
(b) 
Is used as a weapon in the commission of a crime.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
(1) 
It is unlawful for any owner to fail to comply with the following provisions applicable to dogs which have engaged in behaviors described in Section 8.36.160, which may result in the dog being impounded and held until the animal owner has met the following requirements:
(a) 
Dogs which have exhibited Level 2 behavior shall be physically restrained in a manner that prevents the dog from reaching any public sidewalk, or adjoining property. Such dogs must be located so as not to interfere with the public's legal access to the dog owner's property. Whenever that dog is off the dog owner's premises, it must be on a chain leash under the actual control of a capable person. In addition, the department may require the animal owner to put up warning signs and obtain and maintain proof of public liability insurance as required in Section 8.36.340(2)(c).
(b) 
Dogs which have exhibited Level 3 behavior shall be physically restrained by a chain leash, confined within a secure enclosure or inside the home of the owner that prevents the dog from reaching any public sidewalk, or adjoining property. Such dogs must be located so as not to interfere with the public's legal access to the owner's property. Whenever that dog is not physically restrained or confined or is off the animal owner's premises, it must be on a chain leash under the actual control of a capable person. In addition, the department may require the animal owner to put up warning signs and obtain and maintain proof of public liability insurance as required in Section 8.36.340(2)(c).
(c) 
Dogs which have exhibited Level 4 or Level 5 behavior shall be confined within a secure enclosure whenever the dog is not inside the home of the owner. The secure enclosure must be located so as not to interfere with the public's legal access to the dog owner's property, and the dog owner shall conspicuously post warning signs, which must be approved by the department, on the property where the dog is kept. In addition, the department may require the dog owner to obtain and maintain proof of public liability insurance as required in Section 8.36.340(2)(c). The dog owner shall not permit the dog to be outside of the secure enclosure unless the dog is muzzled, on a chain leash and under the actual control of a capable person.
(d) 
Dogs which have exhibited Level 6 behavior shall be euthanized at the owner's expense.
(2) 
All potentially dangerous dogs may be required by the department to be microchipped at the owner's expense.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
It is unlawful for any person to permit a female dog in estrus, also known as being in season or in heat, to be accessible to any male dog not owned by the female dog's owner, except by the agreement of the owners of both the male and female dogs for the purpose of controlled breeding for the betterment of the breed. Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be fined two hundred twenty-five dollars for each violation.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
It is unlawful for any person to permit any dog to leave the confines of any quarantine area. Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be fined five hundred dollars for each violation.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
It is unlawful for any person to physically abuse any dog or to fail to furnish adequate care, including without limitation water, food, shelter, sanitation, ventilation, rest and medical attention, or to confine a dog with any dangerous dog. Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be fined five hundred dollars for each violation.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
It is unlawful for any person to leave any dog unattended for more than twenty-four hours without adequate care, including without limitation water, food, shelter, sanitation, ventilation, rest and medical attention. Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be fined five hundred dollars for each violation.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
It is unlawful for any person to leave any dog confined within or on a motor vehicle at any location under such conditions as may endanger the health or well-being of the dog, including without limitation conditions involving dangerous temperature, lack of food, water or attention. Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be fined nine hundred fifty dollars for each violation.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
It is unlawful for the owner or other person with custody of a dog to fail to remove any feces excreted by the dog from any public place not designed to receive dog waste, including without limitation streets, sidewalks, parking strips and public parks, or any private place off the dog owner's premises. Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be fined one hundred twenty-five dollars for each violation.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
No person may keep any adult dog unless that dog has been inoculated against rabies, unless the dog has, for medical reasons stated in writing by a licensed veterinarian, been specifically exempted from rabies inoculation. Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be fined two hundred twenty-five dollars for each violation.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 8-2000 § 8, 2000; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
(1) 
It is unlawful for any owner in control of premises to keep, harbor or maintain thereon any dog or dogs which individually or together habitually bark, growl, yelp, howl or whine so loudly and for such a duration of time as to unreasonably disturb the peace, quiet, comfort and repose of others within the unincorporated area of Yakima County. Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall be fined one hundred twenty-five dollars for each violation.
(2) 
It shall be an affirmative defense to subsection (1) of this section that the howling, yelping, barking or other noise complained of was by a guard dog or watch dog which was responding to intruders, trespassers or other persons entering onto the premises of the dog owner.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
Any person who is bitten by a dog, or who otherwise is exposed to dog saliva through an open wound on the person, or any doctor, veterinarian or hospital employee having information that a person has been bitten by a dog or has otherwise been exposed to dog saliva through an open wound within the unincorporated territory of the county shall notify the Sheriff's Office of such bite or exposure, giving the description of the dog, the name and address of the owner, and the location of the incident, if known to said person.
(Ord. 3-1991 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
(1) 
A person who is to receive a notice of civil infraction or criminal citation under this chapter is required to identify himself or herself to the animal control officer or law enforcement officer by giving his or her name, address, and date of birth. Upon the request of the officer, the person shall produce reasonable identification, such as a driver's license or state issued identification card.
(2) 
A person who is unable or unwilling to reasonably identify himself or herself to an enforcement officer may be detained for a period of time not longer than is reasonably necessary to identify the person for purposes of issuing a civil infraction or criminal citation.
(3) 
A person who fails to sign a notice of civil infraction or criminal citation is guilty of a misdemeanor as set out in Section 8.36.050.
(4) 
Any person willfully violating his or her written and signed promise to appear in court or his or her written and signed promise to respond to a notice of civil infraction or criminal citation is guilty of a misdemeanor as set out in Section 8.36.050, regardless of the disposition of the notice of civil infraction or criminal citation.
(Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)
Any owner:
(1) 
Having been convicted of two or more criminal violations of this chapter, whether singularly or in combination, within a five-year period; or
(2) 
Having been found to have committed four or more civil infractions of this chapter, whether singularly or in combination, within a five year-period;
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor as set out in Section 8.36.050.
(Ord. 2-2006 (part), 2006; Ord. 2-2021, 2021)