§ 4-8. Vicious animals.
(a)
Definitions. As used in this section:
(1)
Owner means any person possessing or harboring or having the care or custody of an animal.
(2)
Vicious animal means:
a.
Any animal with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, cause injury to, or otherwise threaten the safety of human beings or domestic animals;
b.
Any animal which because of its vicious propensity is capable of inflicting serious physical harm or death to humans and which would constitute a danger to human life or property if it were not kept in the manner required by this section;
c.
Any animal which, without provocation, attacks or bites, or has attacked or bitten, a human being or domestic animal; or
d.
Any animal owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of fighting, or any animal trained for fighting.
(3)
Unconfined. A vicious animal is unconfined if the animal is not securely confined indoors or confined in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure upon the premises of the owner of the animal. The pen or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. If the pen or structure has no bottom secured to the sides, the sides must be embedded into the ground no less than one (1) foot. All such pens or structures must be adequately lighted and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(b)
Confinement. The owner of a vicious animal shall not suffer or permit the animal to go unconfined.
(c)
Leash and muzzle. The owner of a vicious animal shall not suffer or permit the animal to go beyond the premises of the owner unless the animal is securely muzzled and restrained by a chain or leash, and under the physical restraint of a person. The muzzle shall be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the animal or interfere with its vision or respiration, but shall prevent it from biting any human or animal.
(d)
Signs. The owner of a vicious animal shall display in a prominent place on his premises a clearly visible warning sign indicating that there is a vicious animal on the premises. A similar sign is required to be posted on the pen or kennel of the animal.
(e)
Insurance. Owners of vicious animals must provide proof to the city clerk of public liability insurance in the amount of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000.00), insuring the owner for any personal injuries inflicted by his vicious animal.
(f)
Penalty. Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be punished by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisonment of not more than ninety (90) days, or by both fine and imprisonment.
(Ord. No. 3016, § 2(6-6.1—6-6.4, 6-6.6, 6-6.7), 1-19-88)