Vicious Animals

An animal shall be considered vicious:

1. if it bites or otherwise injures any person or domestic animal or pet, or;
2. if it habitually snaps at, growls or otherwise manifests a disposition to bite, attack or injure any person or domestic animal or pet, or;
3. if it causes any person to have a reasonable fear of immediate serious physical injury

To keep a vicious animal, the following requirements shall be met:

1. Vicious animals shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked kennel or cage. 
   • the kennel or cage shall be of a size appropriate to the size of the animal kept therein and shall provide adequate ventilation, shade from the sun and protection from the elements
   • in the event of a dispute over the appropriate size, the guidelines of the United States Department of Agriculture shall apply
   • the kennel or cage must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides
   • such kennel or cage must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides or the sides must be embedded in the ground
   • the kennel or cage must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure
   • any such kennel or cage must be located at least ten (10) feet from any property line and must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the city
   • kennels for vicious dogs must be at least six (6) feet in height and, unless a secure bottom or floor is attached to the sides, the sides must be embedded in the ground no less than two (2) feet
2. When confined indoors, no vicious animal may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house, building or structure that would allow the animal to exit such building on its own volition.
   • no such animal may be kept in a house, building or structure when the windows are open
   • no vicious dog may be kept in a house, building or structure when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the dog from exiting the structure
3. No person shall permit a vicious animal to go outside its kennel, cage or secure structure unless that person has the animal securely leashed on a leash no longer than four (4) feet in length and that person has physical control of the leash. 
   • such animals shall not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings, etc.
   • additionally, all such animals on a leash outside the animal's kennel, cage or secure structure must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent the animal from biting persons or other animals
4. A sign or signs shall be conspicuously posted upon the kennel or cage of any vicious animal with letters at least two (2) inches high containing a warning to beware of the vicious animal.
5. All owners, keepers or harborers of any vicious animal must maintain in effect public liability insurance in a single incident amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) for bodily injury to 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. 
   • all owners, keepers or harborers of vicious animals shall present to the animal control officer a statement certifying that they have the required insurance policy in effect
   • such insurance policy shall provide that no cancellation of the policy will be made unless ten (10) days written notice is first given to the animal control officer
6. Upon conviction of any person of a violation of this section, the municipal judge may, in addition to the usual judgment upon conviction, order the animal control officer to forthwith take up and put to death such vicious animal.

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