§ 8-31. Duties of animal owners.

(a)

Each owner of any animal, or anyone having any animal in his or her possession or custody, shall have the duty to exercise reasonable care and to take all necessary steps and precautions to protect other people, property and animals from injuries or damage which might result from his or her animal's behavior, regardless of whether such behavior is motivated by mischievousness, playfulness, ferocity or any other motivation.

(b)

In the event that the owner or keeper of any animal is a minor, the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the minor shall be responsible to ensure that all provisions of this Code are complied with and said parent(s) or guardian(s) shall have the duties prescribed under the Code.

(c)

Every owner of any animal, or anyone having any animal in his or her possession or custody, shall have the duty to ensure that reasonable care and precautions are taken to prevent the animal from leaving, while unattended, the real property limits of its owner, possessor or custodian.

(d)

Each owner of any animal or anyone having an animal in his or her possession shall keep the animal under restraint at all times while the animal is off the real property limits of the owner, possessor or custodian unless the owner of the animal has the consent of the person on whose property the animal is at large. The foregoing shall not apply to a performing animal, engaged in a bona fide commercial performance or participating in a parade or similar event; provided, however, that the owner of the animal shall ensure that all reasonable and necessary steps and actions are taken to protect the general public.

(e)

It is prohibited and unlawful for the owner of any female dog or cat in season to fail to confine said animal, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care and control, in such a manner so as to make said animal inaccessible to any male dog or cat except for breeding purposes.

(f)

Animals takes off owner's property shall be on a leash which shall not exceed eight feet in length.

(Ord. No. 2010-10, § 6, 7-20-10)