[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.
C. 
Violation of this Section is punishable in accordance with Section 100.220 of the City's Municipal Code.
[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.
B. 
A "vicious" dog is defined to be:
1. 
Any dog who has bitten any person;
2. 
Any dog exhibiting dangerously aggressive tendencies;
3. 
Any dog demonstrating fierce or ferocious tendencies;
4. 
Any dog who has attacked any person in the City of Woodson Terrace.
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:
a. 
The removal from the City or death of a registered pit bull dog;
b. 
The birth of offspring of a registered pit bull dog;
c. 
The new address of a registered pit bull dog owner should the owner move within the corporate City limits.
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.