Dangerous Dog Ordinance
It's illegal to own, keep, harbor, or allow any animal on one's premises, which by howling, barking, baying or yelping, shall disturb the peace of any person. Nor shall any person own, keep, harbor, or allow to be in or upon his premises any animal of dangerous, vicious, or ferocious disposition. A dangerous, vicious, or ferocious animal shall be an animal that has attacked or shown propensities to attack persons or other animal.
Pit Bull Ordinances
• Registration: Every keeper or owner of a pit bull in the City shall register the dog.
• Leash and muzzle: No person shall permit a registered pit bull to go outside its kennel or pen unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four feet in length. No person shall permit a pit bull dog to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person is in physical control of the leash and dog. Such dog may not be leashed to objects such as trees, posts, buildings, etc. In addition, all pit bull dogs on a leash outside the animal's kennel must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such a dog from biting persons or other animals.
• Confinement: All pit bull dogs shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel , except when leashed and muzzled as above provided. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. All structures used to confine pit bull dogs must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure. Such structure must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen or the sides must be embedded in the ground no less than one foot. All structures erected to house pit bull dogs must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City. All such structures must be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition. No pit bull dog may be kept on a porch, patio or any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such building on its own volition. In addition, no such animal may be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacles preventing the dog from exiting the structure.
• Signs: All owners, keepers or harborers of pit bull dogs within the City shall display in a prominent place on their premises a sign, reading in letters not less than two inches high, "Beware Pit Bull Dog Here," and easily readable by the public. In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on the kennel or pen of such animal.
Insurance: All owners, keepers or harborers of pit bull dogs must within 30 days of the effective date of this ordinance, provide proof to the police chief of insurance in a single incident amount of $50,000 for bodily injury or death of any person or persons or for damage to property owned by any persons which may result from the ownership, keeping or maintenance of such animal.
• Puppies: All offspring born of pit bull dogs within the City must be removed from the City within six weeks of their birth.
• Sale, delivery or adoption: It is illegal for any pet store, dog kennel, humane society or any other agency to adopt, sell or otherwise deliver any pit bull dog, to any person who resides within city limits.
