§ 4-115. Secure enclosure.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person owning dog(s) to fail to provide a secure and appropriate enclosure on their property as a primary means of confinement to prevent the escape or release of the dog(s). Confinement must be humane for the animal as well as secure and safe. All secure enclosures must meet the following guidelines:

(1)

Any and all gate(s) must be self-locking or have a lock that is engaged at all times; and

(2)

The property or area must be completely surrounded by a substantial fence or enclosure of sufficient strength, height, construction, materials, and design capable of preventing a dog from climbing, digging, jumping or otherwise escaping of its own volition; and

(3)

All gates and the height of the enclosure and the size of openings in the enclosure must be appropriate for the type of dog within the enclosure; and

(4)

All enclosures must be maintained to prevent a dog from getting through, over or under the enclosure; and

(b)

If an animal control officer picks up a dog running at large and the dog is found to be microchipped:

(1)

The dog will be taken to its owner.

(2)

An animal control officer will inspect the dog enclosure for compliance with this section.

(3)

If the owner is found to have an unsecure enclosure, he/she will be given thirty (30) days to make the enclosure secure.

(4)

If at the end of the thirty (30) days, the enclosure is still unsecure, a citation shall be issued to the owner of the dog.

(c)

If an animal control officer picks up a dog running at large and no microchip is found:

(1)

The dog shall be taken to the city-approved animal impoundment facility until the owner picks up the dog.

(2)

Once ownership is established, an animal control officer will go to the property where the animal is kept to inspect the enclosure for compliance.

(3)

If the owner is found to have an unsecure enclosure, he/she will be given thirty (30) days to make the enclosure secure.

(4)

If at the end of the thirty (30) days, the enclosure is still unsecure, a citation will be issued to the owner of the dog.

(Ord. No. 100-12, § III, 12-27-12; Ord. No. 9-13, § 5, 2-19-13)