Animal Control Ordinance
Sec. 6-30. Certain acts declared public nuisance.
The following acts are hereby declared a public nuisance for which an animal may be impounded:
(1) Any dog or other animal which by frequent or habitual howling, yelping, barking, or the making of other noises shall disturb the neighborhood.
(2) Any animal which chases, snaps at, or attacks pedestrians, bicycle riders or vehicles.
(3) Any animal which turns over garbage pails, damages gardens, flowers, vegetables or personal property of another.
(4) A female animal in heat not under restraint.
(5) Any stray animal running at large within the city.
(6) Any animal off the premises of custodian not wearing rabies vaccination tags if required by this article.
(Code 1971, § 4-23; Ord. No. 2002-6, § 3, 1-22-02)
Sec. 6-32. Prohibited acts.
It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to do any of the following:
(1) Vicious animals. Keep or cause to be kept any vicious animal, as defined in this article, unless confined within a secure building or enclosure, or under restraint.
(2) Howling and barking dogs, cats or other animals. Keep or harbor any dog, cat, or animal which, by frequent or habitual howling, yelping, barking, or the making of other noises, shall annoy or disturb the neighborhood.
(3) Stray animals. Cause, permit, or allow an animal to be away from the premises of the owner, or to be in a public place, or on any public property in the city, unless such animal is under restraint.
(4) Interference with animal control officer. Interfere with, hinder, or molest the animal control officer, or other authorized officer, or person, in the performance of any duty authorized by this article, or to seek to release any animal in the custody of such person.
(5) Rabies vaccination. Have custody of any dog or cat over the age of four months which is not currently vaccinated against rabies.
(6) Dog feces. Fail or neglect to remove immediately any dog feces deposited on public or private property, without the consent of the owner of such property, by a dog in the care, charge, control, or custody of such person, or owned, possessed, or harbored by said person. For the purpose of this section, dog fecal matter shall be immediately removed by placing such matter in a closed or sealed container and thereafter disposing of it by depositing the matter in a trash receptacle, sanitary disposal unit, or other closedor sealed container.
(Code 1971, § 4-25; Ord. No. 2002-6, § 4, 1-22-02)
Sec. 6-28. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
At large means any animal when it is off the property of its custodian, and not under restraint as defined in this section.
Custodian means the person owning, keeping, having charge of, sheltering, feeding, harboring, or taking care of any animal however temporarily; provided, however, that a person having temporary custody or possession of an animal for the sole purpose of turning over such animal to the county health department, county animal control officer, city animal control officer or other peace officer shall not be deemed the custodian of the animal.
Domesticated animal means any animal accustomed to living in or about the habitation of humans, including but not limited to cats, cows, dogs, fowl, horses, and domesticated wild animals.
Pet means a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility. Pets include, but are not limited to, birds, cats, dogs, fish, hamsters, mice, reptiles, domesticated wild animals and other animals associated with human's environment.
Restraint. An animal is under restraint within the meaning of this article if it is:
(1) Controlled by means of a chain, leash or other like device;
(2) On or within a vehicle being driven or parked; or
(3) Within a secure enclosure.
Stray means any domesticated animal within the city, off the premises of the owner, and not under restraint.