[Ord. No. 318 §1, 6-28-1960; Ord. No. 675 §1, 9-21-1972]
This Article shall be known and may be cited as "The Rabies
Control Code".
[Ord. No. 318 §2, 6-28-1960; Ord. No. 675 §1, 9-21-1972]
Every resident person of the City of Woodson Terrace who owns,
controls, manages, possesses or has part interest in any dog or cat
kept any time during the year or who permits a dog or cat to come
upon, on or in, and to remain in or about his/her home, place of business
or other premises in the City of Woodson Terrace affected by this
Code shall have such dog or cat inoculated against rabies and licensed
in accordance with this Code, but such inoculation requirements shall
not apply to dogs or cats less than four (4) months of age. Such dogs
or cats must be inoculated at least once each year unless a three
(3) year type vaccine approved by the St. Louis County Health Commissioner
is administered, in which case the dogs or cats shall be inoculated
at least once every three (3) years. For the purpose of facilitating
the provisions of this Section, the City in cooperation with the St.
Louis County Department of Public Health may hold dog or cat inoculation
clinics.
[Ord. No. 318 §3, 6-28-1960; Ord. No. 675 §1, 9-21-1972; Ord. No. 676 §1, 9-21-1972]
An annual license fee of one dollar ($1.00) for each male dog
or cat or spayed female and three dollars ($3.00) for each unspayed
female dog or cat is hereby imposed upon every resident person who
owns, controls, manages, possesses or has part interest in any dog
or cat four (4) months of age or older kept any time during the year,
or upon every resident person who permits a dog or cat four (4) months
of age or older to come upon, on or in, and to remain in or about
his/her home, place of business or other premises in the area affected
by this Chapter. An applicant for dog or cat license for any dog or
cat shall present to the licensing official a certificate of inoculation
against rabies signed by a licensed veterinarian, which certificate
shall have been executed some time during the previous thirty-six
(36) month period if a three (3) year type vaccine approved by the
St. Louis County Health Commissioner was administered, or during the
previous twelve (12) month period for all other vaccines, and which
certificate shall bear thereon information as to the type vaccine
used, sex of the dog or cat, and if a female, whether or not it has
been spayed. Said licensing official shall not issue a license unless
such certificate shall be presented. All licenses shall expire on
May 1, 1973 and thereafter the annual license shall expire on the
first (1st) day of May of each year; provided that any person having
paid a license fee prior to enactment of this Chapter for a period
of time extending beyond May 1, 1973 shall receive pro rata credit
for each month covered by such license heretofore issued. A full license
fee shall be paid and collected for part of a year. The transfer of
ownership or custody of any dog or cat shall be reported to the licensing
official by the transferee within ten (10) days after such transfer
by written notice, at which time the transferee shall pay the licensing
official a transfer fee of twenty-five cents ($.25). There shall be
no charge for a license for any service animal when any such dog or
cat is actually being used by a blind person for the purpose of aiding
or assisting such blind person in going from place to place. Any owner
of a dog or cat who suffers the loss of his/her dog or cat license
tag shall report said loss promptly to the licensing official and
exhibit the original license, at which time he/she shall be issued
a new license tag at a cost of twenty-five cents ($.25).
[Ord. No. 318 §4, 6-28-1960; Ord. No. 675 §1, 9-21-1972]
The City Clerk shall have prepared dog or cat license plates
made of metal or other suitable material to be issued to applicants
securing a license. Such license plates shall be numbered and the
numbers thereon shall correspond to the number appearing on the license
and on the application for such license. Such license plate shall
be securely fastened on the collar or harness of the dog or cat for
which the license is issued, and shall be worn at all times.
[Ord. No. 318 §5, 6-28-1960; Ord. No. 675 §1, 9-21-1972]
All female dogs or cats shall be kept securely confined in an
enclosed place while in heat.
[Ord. No. 318 §6, 6-28-1960; Ord. No. 675 §1, 9-21-1972]
A.
The
County Health Commissioner and the employees of the County Department
of Public Health or other persons designated by the County Health
Commissioner shall have the power to catch, confine and impound dogs
or cats and other animals as follows:
1.
All dogs or cats which are required to have licenses and which are
without a license displayed in the manner provided herein;
2.
All female dogs or cats, licensed or unlicensed, not securely confined
in an enclosed place while in heat;
3.
All dogs or cats or other animals affected with rabies and all dogs
or cats and other animals suspected by him/her or such employee to
be exposed to or affected with rabies including dogs or cats or other
animals known to have been bitten by a rabid animal, whether such
dog or cat or other animal is running at large or on a leash and whether
it is licensed or unlicensed;
4.
All dog or cats with vicious propensities.
B.
Dogs
or cats or other animals impounded in accordance with this Section
shall be impounded in the County dog or cat pound or elsewhere under
the supervision of and in a manner satisfactory to the County Health
Commissioner.
[Ord. No. 318 §7, 6-28-1960; Ord. No. 675 §1, 9-21-1972]
The County Health Commissioner or a person designated by him/her
shall dispose of any dog or cat or other animal affected with rabies
and he/she shall have the power to examine and impound any animal
bitten by or exposed to any animal affected with rabies. He/she shall
have the power to require the owners of such dogs or cats to take
necessary measures to prevent further spread of rabies, and to dispose
of any exposed animal if such necessary measures are not taken by
the owners.
[Ord. No. 318 §8, 6-28-1960; Ord. No. 675 §1, 9-21-1972]
Any dog or cat captured and impounded by the Department of Public
Health as authorized herein and determined not to be affected with
rabies by the County Health Commissioner may be redeemed by the owner
or other person having the right of possession of such animal upon
the presentation of a proper license and upon payment of a redemption
fee of ten dollars ($10.00). If the animal is not redeemed in the
manner provided herein in five (5) days after his/her capture, such
animal shall be disposed of as directed by the County Health Commissioner,
except that such animal may be redeemed by any person before its disposal
upon securing a license for such animal and paying the redemption
fee provided herein.
[Ord. No. 318 §9, 6-28-1960; Ord. No. 675 §1, 9-21-1972]
Whenever rabies becomes prevalent in the City, the County Health
Commissioner shall recommend a quarantine order. The Board of Aldermen
may issue a quarantine order pursuant to such recommendation. The
City Clerk shall, during the first (1st) week after a quarantine order
is issued, take proper measures to inform the people of the City of
the existence of the quarantine order and of the penalties attached
to the violation of the quarantine order. A quarantine order shall
direct the owner or person having custody of any dog or cat, to securely
confine or restrain on a leash in the hands of a competent person
such animal during the period of quarantine. The quarantine may be
terminated by the Board of Aldermen upon the recommendation of the
County Health Commissioner after the necessity therefor no longer
exists. No quarantine shall remain effective for more than six (6)
months from the date of the adoption of the quarantine order unless
such quarantine order is specifically extended by order of the Board
of Aldermen.
A.
A person
is guilty of animal neglect when he/she has custody or ownership or
both of an animal and fails to provide adequate care or adequate control
which results in substantial harm to the animal.
B.
A person
is guilty of animal abandonment when he/she has knowingly abandoned
an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate
care.
C.
Animal
neglect or animal abandonment are ordinance violations. For a first
(1st) offense of either violation, a term of imprisonment not to exceed
fifteen (15) days, or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00),
or both such fine and imprisonment may be imposed. For a second (2nd)
or subsequent violation of either offense, a term of imprisonment
not to exceed ninety (90) days, or a fine not to exceed five hundred
dollars ($500.00), or both such fine and imprisonment may be imposed.
All fines and penalties for a first (1st) conviction of animal neglect
or animal abandonment may be waived by the court provided that the
person found guilty of animal neglect or abandonment shows that adequate,
permanent remedies for the neglect or abandonment have been made.
Reasonable costs incurred for the care and maintenance of neglected
or abandoned animals may not be waived.
D.
In
addition to any other penalty imposed by this Section, the court may
order a person found guilty of animal neglect or animal abandonment
to pay all reasonable costs and expenses necessary for:
1.
The care and maintenance of neglected or abandoned animals within
the person's custody or ownership;
2.
The disposal of any dead or diseased animals within the person's
custody or ownership;
3.
The reduction of resulting organic debris affecting the immediate
area of the neglect or abandonment; and
4.
The avoidance or minimization of any public health risks created
by the neglect or abandonment of the animals.
[Ord. No. 318 §12, 6-28-1960]
It shall be the duty of any person bitten by any animal or the
parent or guardian of any minor child bitten by an animal to report
the same to the County Department of Public Health immediately. Such
report shall contain the name and address of the owner and of the
animal, the day and time bitten, the location where bitten, and a
general description of the animal.
[Ord. No. 318 §14, 6-28-1960]
Any person destroying an animal affected with rabies or suspected
of being affected with rabies shall immediately notify the County
Department of Health and shall surrender the carcass of such animal
upon demand. The owner or custodian of any such destroyed animal shall
immediately provide the County Department of Public Health with full
particulars thereof, including the time, date, location, the names
and addresses of any person bitten by said animal, and also the name
and address of the owner or person having custody of any animal exposed
to the animal destroyed.
[Ord. No. 318 §15, 6-28-1960]
When any fierce or dangerous dog or one that has previously
bitten any person is kept upon any premises, it shall be the duty
of the owner and of the keeper of such dog or cat to post a notice
on the premises conspicuously visible to the public and reading in
letters not less than two (2) inches high "Bad Dog Here" or "Beware
Bad Dog". In case a minor is the keeper or owner of such dog, the
duty of posting this notice shall devolve upon the adult person in
whose family the minor lives or who is in charge of the premises where
such dog is kept.
[Ord. No. 318 §16, 6-28-1960; Ord. No. 935 §1, 10-21-1980; Ord. No. 2037, 6-15-2023]
A.
It
shall be unlawful for any person or persons owning, controlling, possessing,
or having the management or care, in whole or in part, of any dog,
whether licensed or not, to permit the dog to go off the premises
of the owner or keeper thereof, unless it is securely tied or led
by a line or leash of a length of no more than six (6) feet and is
accompanied by and under the direction, control, and supervision of
the owner or keeper, or an authorized representative thereof.
B.
In
any prosecution under this Section, proof that a dog was running off
the premises in violation of said Section, together with proof that
the defendant named in the Information was, at the time described
in the Information, the owner or keeper of such dog, shall constitute
a prima facie presumption that said owner or keeper was the person
who permitted said dog to go off the premises.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Section 205.150, Presumption in Reference
To Dogs Running Off Owner's Premises, was repealed 6-15-2023 by Ord.
No. 2037. Prior history includes: Ord. No. 318.
[Ord. No. 318 §18, 6-28-1960]
The City Police force shall be responsible for the administration
of this Article and shall have and possess all the powers necessary
to the effective administration and enforcement thereof. The dog licenses
shall be issued and the fees collected therefor by the City Clerk
or a person or persons designated by him/her and said City Clerk shall
issue such licenses.
[Ord. No. 431 §1, 10-3-1963]
It shall be unlawful to keep, maintain, or allow to remain upon
any lot, tract of land, building or premises within the City of Woodson
Terrace, located within two hundred (200) feet of any residence within
the City of Woodson Terrace, any animal other than domestic or household
pets, provided that the term "domestic household pets" shall mean only dogs, cats or birds.
[Ord. No. 2037, 6-15-2023]
A.
It shall be unlawful for any owner or lessee of property to at any time own, shelter, keep, control, manage or possess in or on their premises more than two (2) domestic household pets as defined in Section 205.170 of the City's Municipal Code.
B.
This
provision shall not apply to any properly licensed and operated pet
shop or veterinarian's office.
[Ord. No. 1603 §§1 —
5, 10-9-2003]
A.
It
shall be unlawful for any person to keep, have or harbor in any premises
within the City of Woodson Terrace any "vicious" dog as herein defined,
subject to the exceptions herein provided.
C.
Any
vicious dog found upon any right-of-way, public property or public
place, within the City of Woodson Terrace, shall be impounded at the
cost of the owner thereof.
D.
This Article supplements Article I Ordinance No. 318 and all other ordinances of the City governing the licensing and keeping of dogs or other animals within the City limits and provision of such ordinances shall be applicable in the enforcement of the provisions of this ordinance.
E.
Any
trained watch dog registered with the City and licensed as such shall
be excepted from the provisions of this Article, provided that such
dog is kept securely on the owner's premises, does not run at large
and safeguards are provided to prevent injury by the dog to any person
legitimately entering upon the premises of the owner.
[Ord. No. 1670 §§2 —
5, 4-13-2006]
A.
Removing Fecal Matter. It is unlawful for the owner or handler
of any animal to fail to remove fecal matter deposited by their animal
on public property or public easement, or private property of another,
before the owner leaves the immediate area where the fecal matter
was deposited.
B.
Possession Of Removal Equipment. It is unlawful for the
owner or handler of any animal to fail to have in their possession
the equipment necessary to remove their animal's fecal matter when
accompanied by said animal on public property or public easement,
or private property of another.
C.
Set Aside Areas. The above prohibitions shall not extend
to areas set aside and designated by the City as areas where animals
can be off leash for exercise or training.
D.
Accumulation Of Waste On Property. It is also unlawful for
an owner to allow the accumulation of animal feces in any open area,
run, cage or yard wherein animals are kept and to fail to remove or
dispose of feces to avoid offensive odors or unsanitary conditions
creating a nuisance as determined by the City's Administrative Assistant.
It is unlawful for an owner to allow pet waste to be deposited, or
cause unsanitary conditions resulting from pet waste, on an adjacent
property through storm water runoff or washing off areas where animals
are kept.
[Ord. No. 1161 §§1 —
2, 11-5-1987]
A.
Animals — Keeping Prohibited. It shall be unlawful
to keep, harbor, own or in any way possess within the corporate limits
of the City of Woodson Terrace, Missouri:
1.
Any warm-blooded, carnivorous or omnivorous, wild or exotic animal
(including, but not limited to, non-human primates, raccoons, skunks,
foxes and wild exotic cats, but excluding fowl, ferrets and small
rodents of varieties used for laboratory purposes).
2.
Any animal having poisonous bites.
3.
Any pit bull dog, provided that pit bull dogs registered with the City on the date of passage and adoption of this Section may be kept within the City subject to the standards and requirements set forth in Subsection (B) of this Section. "Pit bull dog" is defined to mean:
a.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog;
b.
The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog;
c.
The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog;
d.
Dogs of mixed breed or of other breeds than above listed which breed
or mixed breed is known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers;
e.
Any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly
of the breeds of bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American
pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, any breed commonly
known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers, or a combination
of any of those breeds.
B.
Keeping Of Registered Pit Bulls. The provisions of Subsection (A) of this Section are not applicable to owners, keepers or harborers of pit bull dogs registered with the City of Woodson Terrace as of the passage and adoption of this Section. The keeping of such dogs, however, shall be subject to the following standards:
1.
Leash and muzzle. No person shall permit a registered
pit bull 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 pit bull 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. Such dog may not be leashed to inanimate objects
such as trees, posts, buildings, etc. In addition, all pit bull dogs
on a leash outside the animal's kennel must be muzzled by a muzzling
device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other
animals.
2.
Confinement. All registered pit bull 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 registered
pit bull 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 of the pen or the sides of the
pen must be embedded in the ground no less than two (2) feet. All
structures erected to house pit bull 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.
3.
Confinement indoors. No pit bull 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 building on its own volition. In addition,
no such animal may be kept in a house or structure when the windows
are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle
preventing the dog from exiting the structure.
4.
Signs. All owners, keepers or harborers of registered
pit bull dogs within the City shall within ten (10) days of the effective
date of this Section display in a prominent place on their premises
a sign easily readable by the public using the words "Beware of Dog".
In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on the kennel
or pen of such animal.
5.
Insurance. All owners, keepers or harborers of registered
pit bull dogs must within ten (10) days of the effective date of this
Section provide proof to the City Clerk of Woodson Terrace of public
liability insurance in a single incident amount of fifty thousand
dollars ($50,000.00) for bodily injury to or death of any person or
persons or for damage to property owned by any persons which may result
from the ownership, keeping or maintenance of such animal. Such insurance
policy shall provide that no cancellation of the police will be made
unless ten (10) days' written notice is first given to the City Clerk.
6.
Identification, photographs. All owners, keepers
or harborers of registered pit bull dogs must within ten (10) days
of the effective date of this Section provide to the City Clerk two
(2) color photographs of the registered animal clearly showing the
color and approximate size of the animal.
7.
Reporting requirements. All owners, keepers, harborers
of registered pit bull dogs must, within ten (10) days of the incident,
report the following information in writing to the Woodson Terrace
City Clerk as required hereinafter:
8.
Sale or transfer of ownership prohibited. No person
shall sell, barter, or in any other way dispose of a pit bull dog
registered with the City to any person within the City unless the
recipient person resides permanently in the same household and on
the same premises as the registered owner of such dog, provided that
the registered owner of a pit bull dog may sell or otherwise dispose
of a registered dog to persons who do not reside within the City.
9.
Animals born of registered dogs. All offspring born
of pit bull dogs registered with the City must be removed from the
City within six (6) weeks of the birth of such animal.
10.
Irrebuttable presumptions. There shall be an irrebuttable presumption that any dog registered with the City as a pit bull dog or any of those breeds prohibited by Subsection (A) of this Section is in fact a dog subject to the requirements of this Section.
11.
Failure to comply. It shall be unlawful for the
owner, keeper or harborer of a pit bull dog registered with the City
of Woodson Terrace to fail to comply with the requirements and conditions
set forth in this Section. Any dog found to be the subject of a violation
of this Section shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment.
In addition, failure to comply will result in the revocation of the
license of such animal resulting in the immediate removal of the animal
from the City.
