§ 8-215. Animals declared a public nuisance.

(a)

Animals which chase vehicles. Any animal which habitually chases motor vehicles on public streets, or threatens, worries, chases or attacks pedestrians, bicyclists or other persons on public property, public areas or private property other than property owned or possessed by the owner of the animal shall be deemed a public nuisance.

(b)

Attacking animals. Any domesticated animal which attacks, wounds, worries, injures or kills any domestic animal or wildlife shall be deemed a public nuisance.

(c)

Animals which bite. Any animal which has bitten a person, other than its owner or a member of its owner's immediate family shall be deemed a public nuisance. Such animal shall be quarantined pursuant to article V, division 2 of this chapter and shall also be subject to the procedures and penalties set out in section 8-3.

(d)

Animals which damage property. Any animal which damages plantings or structures or micturates or defecates on public property or on private property without the consent of the owner or possessor of the property shall be deemed a public nuisance.

(e)

Animals running at large. Any animal described in this section found running at large shall be impounded by the animal control officer or police officers in the manner described in this chapter; provided that such animal may be immediately destroyed by the animal control officer or by a police officer if it cannot be impounded after reasonable effort, or cannot be impounded without serious risk to persons attempting to impound it.

(Code 1970; Code 1992, § 300.14; Ord. No. 312, 12-2-1981; Ord. No. 312-A1, 8-29-1984; Ord. No. 312-A2, 8-15-1990; Ord. No. 1994-2, 3-2-1994; Ord. No. 1994-11, 1-4-1995; Ord. No. 1995-2, 5-1-1995; Ord. No. 1995-6, 8-7-1995; Ord. No. 2000-7, 7-5-2000; Ord. No. 2002-4, 6-4-2002; Ord. No. 2006-03, 4-4-2006; Ord. No. 2011-21, 12-20-2011)