§ 3-81. Requirements for owner of dangerous dog.
(a)
Not later than the thirtieth day after a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog, the person shall:
(1)
Register the dangerous dog with the animal control officer;
(2)
Restrain the dangerous dog at all times on a leash in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosure;
(3)
Further secure the dangerous dog with a muzzle in a manner that will not cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration but shall prevent it from biting any person or animal when the dangerous dog is taken off the property of the owner for any reason; and
(4)
Obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in an amount of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person or animal and provide proof thereof to the animal control officer.
(b)
The owner of a dangerous dog who does not comply with subsection (a) shall deliver the dog to the animal control officer not later than the thirtieth day after the owner learns that the dog is a dangerous dog.
(c)
Failure to comply.
(1)
If, on application of any person to the municipal court of the city, the court finds, after notice and hearing as provided by section 3-84, that the owner of a dangerous dog has failed to comply with subsections (a) or (b) above, the court shall order the animal control officer to seize the dog and shall issue a warrant authorizing the seizure. The animal control officer shall seize the dog or order its seizure and shall provide for the impoundment of the dog in secure and humane conditions.
(2)
The owner shall pay any cost or fee assessed by the city related to the seizure, acceptance, impoundment, or destruction of the dog.
(3)
The court shall order the animal control officer to humanely destroy the dog if the owner has not complied with subsection (a) before the eleventh day after the date on which the dog is seized or delivered to the animal control officer. The court shall order the animal control officer to return the dog to the owner if the owner complies with subsection (a) before the eleventh day after the date on which the dog is seized or delivered to the animal control officer.
(4)
The court may order the humane destruction of a dog if the owner of the dog has not been located before the fifteenth day after the seizure and impoundment of the dog.
(d)
For purposes of this section, a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog when:
(1)
The owner knows of a dangerous incident involving the owner's dog;
(2)
The owner receives notice that the municipal court of the city has found that the dog is a dangerous dog under section 3-84; or
(3)
The owner is informed by the animal control officer that the dog is a dangerous dog under section 3-82.
(Ord. No. 381, § 1, 11-8-07)