ENFORCEMENT

Oklahoma City Municipal Code ch. 8, art. III, div. 2

in effect

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 8-146 Superintendent to investigate complaints; file report; and maintain records.

§ 8-146. - Superintendent to investigate complaints; file report; and maintain records. (a) The Superintendent or designee shall investigate any incident appearing to involve a menacing or dangerous animal, or any citizen complaint of a menacing or dangerous animal, or any impoundment of an animal believed to be a menacing or dangerous animal. If the incident or impoundment meets the criteria for classification of an animal as menacing or dangerous, a citation shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of Article I of this chapter unless the animal has an unknown owner. (b) During the course of the investigation, the Superintendent shall cause photographs to be taken of the animal and shall collect other information gathered pertaining to the animal's size, weight, markings or other distinctive characteristics. (c) The Superintendent shall maintain a record of all animals upon which menacing or dangerous animal charges have been filed and the disposition of each case, together with the photographs and other information pertaining to each animal. (Ord. No. 23145, § 2, 10-3-06; Ord. No. 25674, § 6, 7-5-17 ; Ord. No. 26483, § 5, 6-16-20)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 8-147 Impoundment.

§ 8-147. - Impoundment. Any animal not already impounded shall be impounded pursuant to the provisions of Article I of this chapter. (Ord. No. 23145, § 2, 10-3-06)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 8-148 Confinement.

§ 8-148. - Confinement. An animal that is impounded at the time of an incident that resulted in the owner being charged with harboring or possessing a menacing or dangerous animal, or an animal impounded by order of the Municipal Court, shall be confined in the City Animal Shelter pending the disposition of the animal, except as provided in § 8-133(c). Such confinement shall be at the owner's expense unless the Municipal Court does not find the animal to be a menacing or dangerous animal or the charge is declined or is dismissed. Provided, however, that upon the owner's request or due to a medical necessity, the Animal Welfare Superintendent is authorized to place the animal in a licensed veterinary clinic or other licensed facility prior to a hearing for disposition of the animal before the Municipal Court. In all other circumstances, placement of the animal in a licensed veterinary clinic or other licensed facility shall be determined by the Municipal Court. Any placement of the animal in a licensed veterinary clinic or other licensed facility shall be at the owner's expense regardless of the outcome of the court hearing, if the placement was requested by the owner. Otherwise, the owner is not responsible for the costs of such placement if the animal is determined not to be a menacing or dangerous animal. (Ord. No. 23145, § 2, 10-3-06; Ord. No. 25674, § 6, 7-5-17; Ord. No. 27302, § 4, 3-28-23)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 8-149 Notice of hearing to determine nature of the animal.

§ 8-149. - Notice of hearing to determine nature of the animal. The Municipal Counselor shall determine whether prosecution shall be undertaken or declined under this article with respect to the animal. If prosecution is determined, the Municipal Counselor shall file an information with the Municipal Court Clerk and a copy of the pleading together with a notice to appear and notice of hearing concerning disposition of the animal shall be served by first class mail at the last known address of the defendant. At the option of the Municipal Counselor, a notice of hearing may be combined with an order to impound the animal and served in accordance with Section 8-20 of this Chapter. A certificate of service of the notice or order shall be filed with the Municipal Court in any case in which charges have been filed. (Ord. No. 23145, § 2, 10-3-06 ; Ord. No. 26483, § 5, 6-16-20)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 8-150 Hearing and adjudication.

§ 8-150. - Hearing and adjudication. (a) If, after notice as set forth in this article, the owner does not appear at the hearing, the animal shall be deemed abandoned and subject to disposition under the provisions of Article I, Division 5 of this chapter. (b) The Municipal Court, after the presentation of all evidence at the hearing and upon a finding that the animal is a menacing or dangerous animal, may order the animal euthanized or may order the animal released from impound under certain restrictions designated by the Municipal Court. (c) If the Municipal Court finds an animal to be menacing or dangerous, the Municipal Court may order the animal's owner to comply with certain restrictions, as provided in § 8-151, as a condition of release of the animal. (d) Upon a conviction for a violation under this Article, the Municipal Court may suspend the execution of a sentence of euthanasia and order the animal released pursuant to the restrictions imposed by the Municipal Court. The Municipal Court may suspend the execution of such sentence for a period not to exceed six months. During those six months, any subsequent violation of this chapter or violation of any restrictions ordered upon the owner of the animal by the Municipal Court shall constitute cause for revocation of the suspended sentence. The Municipal Counselor's Office may petition the Municipal Court to revoke the suspension of the sentence and set the matter for a hearing before the Municipal Court. If the suspension of the sentence is revoked, the Municipal Court shall order the animal impounded and euthanized. (Ord. No. 23145, § 2, 10-3-06; Ord. No. 25674, § 6, 7-5-17; Ord. No. 27302, § 4, 3-28-23)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 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)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 8-152 Violations.

§ 8-152. - Violations. It shall be unlawful to violate the provisions of Article III, including a failure to annually register a released menacing or dangerous animal or a failure to comply with the conditions of a Court order for release of a menacing or dangerous animal. An Animal Welfare Officer shall issue a citation to the owner of a menacing or dangerous animal when said animal is found in violation of any of the provisions of this division. (Ord. No. 23145, § 2, 10-3-06; Ord. No. 25674, § 6, 7-5-17)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 8-153 Impoundment upon subsequent incident.

§ 8-153. - Impoundment upon subsequent incident. An Animal Welfare Officer shall impound any animal which, subsequent to its classification as menacing or dangerous, is alleged to be at large or exhibiting menacing or dangerous behavior or it is alleged that any of the conditions in the Court's prior order regarding release of the animal are being violated. Such animal shall remain impounded pending an investigation by the Animal Welfare Superintendent. The impoundment and care of the animal shall be at the owner's expense upon conviction. (Ord. No. 23145, § 2, 10-3-06; Ord. No. 25674, § 6, 7-5-17)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 8-154 Penalty.

§ 8-154. - Penalty. (a) Any person who violates any of the provisions of Article III shall upon conviction be guilty of a Class "a" offense. (b) Upon a second or subsequent conviction, any person who shall be convicted of any of the provisions of Article III shall be guilty of a Class "b" offense, even if the first conviction involved a different menacing or dangerous animal. (Ord. No. 23145, § 2, 10-3-06; Ord. No. 25674, § 6, 7-5-17; Ord. No. 27302, § 4, 3-28-23)

Source: City of Oklahoma City, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ok/oklahoma_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=OKMUCO2020_CH8AN_ARTIIIMEDAAN_DIV2ENFetched: 10/28/2026