§ 8-151 — Restriction guidelines for maintaining a menacing or dangerous animal

§ 8-151. - Restriction guidelines for maintaining a menacing or dangerous animal.

The Court may order the owner of an animal found to be menacing or dangerous to be in compliance with any requirements imposed by the Court. The Court shall determine the time frame within which the owner must be in compliance. The Court may use the following guidelines, but may impose lesser or additional restrictions as the Court deems necessary. (a) Confinement; enclosure. Except as provided herein, the animal shall be confined at all times to prevent it from escaping. Confinement may be within the owner's residence or other building and shall provide access to a secure outside enclosure. (1) Any enclosure used for the animal shall be of dimensions appropriate to the size and needs of the animal. (2) The Court may require the enclosure to have a secure top, secure sides, concrete footings around the perimeter to prevent the animal from escaping over, through, or under the structure, and be kept locked at all times to prevent unintentional opening of the enclosure. (3) The outside enclosure shall include suitable shelter and protection from the elements, be cleaned regularly to maintain sanitation, and shall provide adequate exercise room, light, and ventilation for the animal. (4) The Court may order that the enclosure be approved by the Animal Welfare Division prior to usage for confinement. (b) No contact with other animals or humans. The Court may prohibit the menacing or dangerous animal from having contact with animals or humans other than those that reside on the owner's property, and may restrict the ages of people who may have contact with the animal. (c) Muzzle. The Court may order a menacing or dangerous animal to wear a properly-fitted muzzle when it is outside of the enclosure, except while the animal is receiving medical care, to prevent it from biting humans or other animals. Such muzzle shall not interfere with the animal's breathing. (d) Restraint. The Court may order that whenever a menacing or dangerous animal is outside of the enclosure, it shall be restrained by an adult capable of controlling the animal and may designate the length and type of leash to be used. If so ordered, when being transported, such animals shall be safely, humanely and securely restrained within a vehicle or carrier capable of preventing the animal from escaping or making physical contact with persons outside the vehicle. (e) Signs. The Court may order the owner of a menacing or dangerous animal to display clearly visible warning signs on the property on which the menacing or dangerous animal is maintained warning that a menacing or dangerous animal is being harbored on such property, including posing entry points, the enclosure in which the animal is maintained, and any other locations designated by the Court. The Court may designate that the signs inform both children and adults of the presence of the menacing or dangerous animal and may include a graphic of a snarling dog and wording that warns of the presence of the menacing or dangerous animal. (f) Notification of escape or death of animal. (1) the Court may order the owner of a menacing or dangerous animal to notify the Animal Welfare Division immediately if the animal escapes from its enclosure or restraint and is at large, or if it bites or attacks a person or domestic animal, or if it dies. (2) if so ordered by the Court, in the event of the animal's death, satisfactory proof of such death shall be provided to the Animal Welfare Division within 48 hours of the animal's death. Satisfactory proof shall be either verification from an animal shelter or veterinary hospital that the animal was euthanized, or verification from an Animal Welfare Officer that he or she has seen the dead body of the animal. (g) Notification of change of address or ownership. The Court may order the owner of a menacing or dangerous animal who intends to change his/her address, or intends to move the animal, or intends to sell, give away, or trade any animal classified as dangerous, to notify the Animal Welfare Division prior to such change of address, sale, transfer, or trade. If so ordered, the owner shall provide the Animal Welfare Division with the name, address, and phone number of the person receiving the animal, as well as the location at which the animal shall be maintained. (1) the Court may order that prior to transferring the classified animal to the custody or ownership of another, it shall be the responsibility of the owner to notify the person receiving the menacing or dangerous animal in writing of the classification of the animal as menacing or dangerous and that the person receiving the animal shall be responsible for meeting the requirements of this division prior to obtaining the animal. If so ordered by the Court, a copy of the written notice, signed and dated by both the owner and the person receiving the animal, shall be provided to the Superintendent of Animal Welfare no later than 24 hours prior to the transfer. If the animal is to be moved outside the City limits, the Superintendent shall give notice to the Animal Welfare Superintendent of the City in which the animal will be located. (2) Any person obtaining an animal classified as menacing or dangerous shall comply fully with the provisions of this division pertaining to the maintenance, control, and ownership of a dangerous animal and shall further comply with all orders of the Court regarding the maintenance of an animal found to be dangerous.

(Ord. No. 23145, § 2, 10-3-06; Ord. No. 25674, § 6, 7-5-17)