§ 618.01. DOG CONTROL.

(a)

Definitions. As used in this section:

(1)

"Owner," when applied to the proprietorship of a dog, includes every person having a right of property in such dog, every person who harbors such dog or has it in his care and every person who permits such dog to remain in or about any premises occupied by him.

(2)

"Reasonable control" means keeping a dog on a suitable leash or under the oral control of the owner or custodian, or some other person with the permission of the owner or custodian, in all cases other than while upon private property, or unless the dog is confined in a closed automobile or shipping receptacle.

(b)

Running at Large. No person owning any dog, three months of age or over, shall permit such dog to be at large at any time in the City in violation of any of the following restrictions:

(1)

Vicious dogs. No person who is the owner of any vicious dog shall permit such dog to be unconfined unless it is securely muzzled and led by a leash. Any dog shall be deemed vicious if it has bitten a person or domestic animal without molestation, or by its actions gives indication that it is liable to bite any person or domestic animal without molestation.

(2)

Female dogs in heat. No person who is the owner of any female dog shall permit or allow such dog to go beyond the premises of such owner when such dog is in heat.

(3)

Control and license tag required. No person who is the owner of any dog shall permit it to be unconfined unless it is under the reasonable control of some person and wearing its license tag affixed to a collar.

(4)

Barking or howling dogs. No person shall own any dog which, by loud, frequent or habitual barking, yelping or howling, causes annoyance to the people in the neighborhood.

(c)

Seizure and Impoundment of Dogs. Any dog found at large in the City which is doing any of the acts enumerated in subsection (b) hereof may be seized and impounded by any City employee or any police officer.

(d)

Notice to Owner. The Police Department shall notify the owner of every dog that is impounded, if the owner of such dog can be ascertained, as soon as possible after such dog has been impounded.

(e)

Release from Pound.

(1)

All dogs impounded shall be held in the impound area at the City Garage for a period of forty-eight hours. If at the end of that time period the dog is not claimed by the owner thereof, the same shall be turned over to the County Dog Warden, to be taken to the County animal shelter.

(2)

No dog shall be released from the pound unless the owner or person entitled to claim the same shows proof that the dog is licensed and pays to the City a fee established from time to time by resolution of the City Council. Such payment shall be made to the Treasurer and upon proof of such payment the dog shall be released.

(3)

If such dog is not wearing a current license tag or if the owner of such dog cannot produce proof of the same, the owner or person entitled to claim such dog shall pay a fine in an amount established from time to time by resolution of the City Council. Such payment shall be made to the Treasurer. The owner shall then pick up the dog and properly license and vaccinate the same. Proof of this action shall be presented to the City Clerk within ten days. If proof of licensing has not been made within ten days, the owner will be issued a written violation notice and penalized in accordance with Section 610.99.

(Ord 192. Passed 3-12-90.)