City of Chaffee, MO Dangerous Dogs

[CC 1978 §270.011]

It shall be unlawful for any person or owner to keep, harbor, possess or maintain within this City a dangerous or vicious dog (as defined in this Chapter) unless the following described limitations, requirements and conditions are entirely fulfilled:

Registration. Each owner or keeper of a vicious dog located within the City limits of the City of Chaffee, Missouri, shall within thirty (30) days after:

The adoption of this Section, or

The date of the presence of the dog within the City limits of the City of Chaffee (whichever is later),

shall register said dog with the City Clerk on the dangerous dog register.

Leash and muzzle. No person shall permit a dangerous dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four (4) feet in length. No person shall permit a dangerous dog to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person is in physical control of the leash and dog. Such dog may not be leashed to objects such as trees, posts and buildings. Additionally, all dangerous dogs on a leash outside the animal's kennel or pen must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals.

Confinement. All dangerous dogs shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed and muzzled as above provided. Such pen, kennel or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. All structures used to confine dangerous dogs must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure. Such structure must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides or the sides must be embedded in the ground no less than one (1) foot. All structures erected to house dangerous dogs must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City. All such structures must be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition. No dangerous dog may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such structure of its own volition. No such dangerous dog may be kept in a house or structure where the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the dog from exiting the structure.

Signs. All owners, keepers or harborers of dangerous dogs within the City shall, within ten (10) days of bringing the dog into the City limits, display in a prominent place on their premises a sign reading in letters not less than two (2) inches "Beware of Dangerous Dog" and such sign shall be visible to the public. In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on the kennel or pen of such animal.

Insurance. All owners, keepers or harborers of dangerous dogs must within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Section or within thirty (30) days of the first (1st) date that the dog is physically located within the City limits of the City of Chaffee (whichever is longer) provide proof to the City Clerk of liability insurance in a single incident amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for the bodily injury to or death of any person or persons which may result from the ownership of, keeping or maintenance of such animal. 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 City Clerk of the City of Chaffee, Missouri.

Reporting requirements. All owners, keepers or harborers of dangerous dogs must, within ten (10) days of any of the following incidents, report said information in writing to the City Clerk:

The removal from the City or death of a dangerous dog;

The birth of offspring of a dangerous dog;

The new address of the owner of a dangerous dog should the owner move from one address within the City to another address within the City.

Sale or transfer of ownership. No person shall sell, barter or in any other way dispose of a dangerous dog to any person within the City unless at the time of such sale the new owner shall have fulfilled all of the requirements as set forth herein.

Animals born of dogs registered under this Section. All offspring born of registered dangerous dogs within the City must be removed from the City within ten (10) weeks of their birth.

Failure to comply. It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper or harborer of a dangerous dog within the City to fail to comply with the limitations, requirements and conditions set forth in this Section. Any dog found to be the subject of a violation of the ordinance shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment and the registration of the dog revoked. Further, the owner shall be required to take those steps necessary to dispose of such animal and the Humane Officer of the City of Chaffee is further authorized to dispose of such animal if the owner fails to take such action as required.

10.

Violations and penalties. Any person violating or permitting the violation of any provision of this Section shall, upon conviction, be fined a sum not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) and not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) and/or sentence the defendant to a period not to exceed thirty (30) days in the City Jail or any such combination of fine and imprisonment as authorized herein. Additionally, the court shall, upon the conviction, order the registration of the subject dangerous dog revoked and that the dog be removed from the City. Each day that a violation of this Section continues shall be deemed a separate offense. Any person who violates this Section shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, handling, veterinary care, as may be necessary for the enforcement of this Section.