§ 8-30. Public nuisance; animals at large.

(a)

It is unlawful for any owner to allow any animal to be a public nuisance as defined in section 8-28.

(b)

It is unlawful for any animal owner to allow, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care and control, his or her animal(s) to run at large.

(c)

When any domestic animal is found at large anywhere within the City, whether licensed or otherwise and whether owned or otherwise, said animal may be taken into custody by the animal control officer to be impounded at an animal shelter and disposed of as provided in this article.

(d)

Failure by an owner or keeper to observe any of the following mandatory duties shall constitute a violation of this article:

(1)

The owner or keeper of every domestic animal shall be held responsible for every behavior of such domestic animal under the provisions of this article;

(2)

The owner or keeper of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by an animal on public ways; recreation areas, or private property;

(3)

The owner or keeper of an animal shall maintain that animal and the property upon which it is located so as to prevent a public nuisance which affects the public health, safety, or welfare or livability of adjacent or proximate property.

(e)

The City shall not be liable for any injury to the animal that may occur while any animal control officer is attempting to capture, transport, load or unload or otherwise process any animal found at-large in violation of this Code. In the event an animal is injured or property is damaged, the animal control officer shall file a written report of the circumstances with the City Manager, or designee, within one working day of such incident.

(f)

Every animal owner who intentionally, willfully, carelessly, or negligently suffers or permits such animal to run at large shall be liable in damages for all injury and property damage to any person, animal or property by reason thereof.

(Ord. No. 2010-10, § 5, 7-20-10)