4-1-1 Definitions

4-1-2 Immunization

4-1-3 At Large Prohibited

4-1-4 Animal Nuisances

4-1-5 Impounding

4-1-6 Bothersome Animals

4-1-7 Dangerous Animals

4-1-8 Keeping a Vicious Dog or Cat

9. Summons Issued
10. Right and Duty to Kill Untagged Dogs
11. Right to Kill Tagged Dogs
12. Disposal of Other Animals
13. Owner’s Duty
14. Confinement

4-1-1 DEFINITIONS. For use in this chapter the following terms are defined as follows:

1. The term "animal" means any nonhuman vertebrate.

3. The term "dogs" shall mean both male and female animals of the canine species whether altered or not.

3. The term "at large" shall mean any licensed or unlicensed animal found off the premises of the owner and not under the control of a competent person, restrained within a motor vehicle, housed in a veterinary hospital or kennel, on a leash or "at heel" beside a competent person and obedient to that person's command.

4. The term "owner" shall mean any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping, sheltering or harboring an animal.

4-1-2 IMMUNIZATION. All dogs six (6) months or older shall be vaccinated against rabies. It shall be a violation of this Ordinance for any dog to not be vaccinated against rabies. A tag showing evidence of proper vaccination shall be worn by every dog when not confined.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 351.33)

4-1-3 AT LARGE PROHIBITED. No owner or person having custody of an animal shall permit such animal to run at large.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 351.41)

4-1-4 ANIMAL NUISANCES. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit an animal under such person's control or within such person's custody to commit a nuisance. An animal shall be considered a nuisance if it:

1. Damages, soils, defiles or defecates on private property other than the owner's or on public walks and recreation areas unless such waste is immediately removed and properly disposed of by the owner.

2. Causes unsanitary, dangerous or offensive conditions.

3. Causes a disturbance by excessive barking or other noisemaking or chases vehicles, or molests, attacks or interferes with persons or other domestic animals on public property.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 657.1)

4-1-5 IMPOUNDING.

1. Any unvaccinated dog found at large in violation of Sections 4-1-2 and 4-1-3 of this chapter shall be seized and impounded, or, at the discretion of the authorized law enforcement, the owner may be served a summons to appear before a proper court to answer charges made thereunder.

2. Owners of dogs shall be notified within two (2) days that upon payment of impounding fees of $ 25.00 plus cost of food and care in a reasonable amount, the dog will be returned. If the impounded dogs are not recovered by their owners within seven (7) days after notice, the dogs shall be disposed of in a humane manner as directed by the City Council.

3. Impounded dogs may be recovered by the owner, upon proper identification, impounding fee and boarding costs, and the costs of vaccination if vaccination is required by Section 4-1-2. If such dogs are not claimed within seven (7) days after notice, they shall be disposed of in a humane manner as directed by the City Council.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 351.37)

4-1-7 BOTHERSOME ANIMALS. It is unlawful for a person to keep within the City bothersome animals such as bees, cattle, donkeys, mules, horses, swine, sheep, goats, fowl and geese, which tend to disrupt the peace and good order of the community.

4-1-8 DANGEROUS ANIMALS.

1. Dangerous Animals Prohibited. No person shall keep, shelter, or harbor for any purpose within the City limits, a dangerous animal.

2. Definitions. A dangerous animal is:

a. Any animal which is not naturally tame or gentle, and which is of a wild nature or disposition, and which is capable of killing, inflicting serious injury upon, or causing disease among human beings or domestic animals, and having known tendencies as a species to do so.

b. The following are animals which shall be deemed to be dangerous animals per se:

(1) Lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cougars, lynx, and bobcats;

(2) Wolves, coyotes, and foxes;

(3) Badgers, wolverines, weasels, skunks and mink;

(4) Raccoons;

(5) Bears;

(6) Monkeys, chimpanzees, and apes;

(7) Alligators and crocodiles;

(8) Scorpions; gila monsters;

(9) Snakes that are venomous or constrictors;

(10) Staffordshire terriers - known as pit bulls;

(11) Any cross breed of such animals which have similar characteristics of the animals specified above.

c. Any animals declared to be dangerous by the City Council.

3. Dangerous Animals Exceptions. The keeping of dangerous animals shall not be prohibited in the following circumstances:

a. The keeping of dangerous animals in a public zoo, bona fide educational or medical institution, humane society, or museum where they are kept as live specimens for the public to view, or for the purpose of instruction, research or study, and has obtained the written approval of the City Council.

4-1-9 KEEPING A VICIOUS DOG OR CAT. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to harbor or keep a vicious dog or cat within the City. A vicious cat or dog is deemed so when it shall have attacked or bitten any person (without provocation), or when the propensity to attack or bite persons shall exist and such propensity is known or ought reasonably be known to the owner thereof.

4-1-10 SUMMONS ISSUED. The owner of any licensed dog, or the owner if known of any unlicensed dog or other animal, shall be issued a summons to appear before a proper court to answer charges of permitting such dog or animal to be at large in violation of this chapter.

4-1-11 RIGHT AND DUTY TO KILL UNTAGGED DOGS. It is lawful for any person, and the duty of all police officers, to kill any dog for which a license tag is not attached as herein provided.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 351.26)

4-1-12 RIGHT TO KILL LICENSED DOGS. It is lawful for any person to kill a dog licensed and wearing a collar with license tag attached, when such dog is caught in the act of worrying, chasing, maiming, or killing any domestic animal or fowl, or when such dog is attacking or attempting to bite a person.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 351.27)

4-1-13 DISPOSAL OF OTHER ANIMALS. If the owner of any animal apprehended, other than a dog, cannot be located after a reasonable effort by local authorities such animal may be humanely destroyed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with the law.

4-1-14 OWNER’S DUTY. It is the duty of the owner of any dog, cat or other animal which has bitten or attacked a person or any person having knowledge of such bite or attack to report this act to a local health or law enforcement official. It is the duty of physicians and veterinarians to report to the local board of health the existence of any animal known or suspected to be suffering from rabies.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 351.38)

4-1-15 CONFINEMENT. When a local board of health receives information that any person has been bitten by any animal or that a dog or animal is suspected of having rabies, it shall order the owner to confine such animal in the manner it directs. If the owner fails to confine such animal in the manner directed, the animal shall be apprehended and impounded by such board, and after two weeks the board may humanely destroy the animal. If such animal is returned to its owner, the owner shall pay the cost of impoundment.