Ordinances Related to Animals

SECTION 5-1
Public Nuisance means any animal which:
(1) Molests passersby or passing vehicles;

(2) Attacks other animals;

(3) Trespasses on school grounds or private property;

(4) Is repeatedly at large;

(5) Damages private or public property;

(6) Barks, whines, howls or makes any noise natural to its species in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion so as to disturb the peace;

(7) Creates excessive offensive odor.


SECTION 5-2 LICENSING
(a) Any person owning, keeping, harboring or having custody of any cat or dog over six (6) months of age within the city but not operating a kennel or animal shelter, must obtain a license as herein provided

(b) A license shall be issued only after application in writing which shall include the name, address, and telephone number of the applicant, a description of the dog or cat, certification as to the dog's or cat's breeding capability, proof of vaccination against rabies issued by a licensed veterinarian, and date of revaccination, and only after payment of a fee as herein specified.

(c) Application for a license shall be made within thirty days after a dog or cat attains the age of five months or within thirty days after the first day a dog or cat over the age of five months is owned, kept or harbored within the city.

(d) Unless revoked, a license shall be valid for one year from the date of issue.

(e) License fees, which shall not be refundable, shall be established by the board of mayor and alderman where lawful.

(f) Upon proper application and payment of the applicable fee the city shall issue a suitable license tag bearing an identifying number which shall be recorded in a public record.

(g) License tags shall be affixed to the collar or harness and worn by the dog or cat when off the premises of the owner.

(h) Duplicate license tags may be obtained upon payment of a fee as established by the board of mayor and alderman.

(i) No person shall place a license tag on any dog or cat other than the dog or cat for which the tag was issued.


SECTION 5-5 RESTRAINT
(a) No dog shall be allowed to run at large within the city. Each dog not confined behind a fence shall be placed on a leash and controlled by a person physically capable of controlling such dog.

(b) No owner shall fail to exercise proper care and control of his animals to prevent them becoming a public nuisance.

(c) Every female dog in heat shall be confined in a building or enclosure in such a manner that such female dog cannot come in contact with a male dog except for planned breeding.

(d) It shall be unlawful for any owner to keep, harbor or maintain on or off his premises any vicious or potentially vicious dog, unless such dog is within the owner's house, in a secure enclosure, or physical restraint or unless such dog is under the control of a law enforcement officer on or about his official duties. Any dog found in violation hereof shall be immediately impounded. A summons shall be issued to the owner of the dog.

(e) It shall be unlawful for any person owning, keeping, harboring, or possessing any cats, rabbits, horses, goats, hogs, sheep, cattle or other animals, chickens, ducks, geese, or any other birds or poultry, to permit or allow the same to go at large any time within the limits of the city, to the damage or annoyance of any of the residents of the city.

(f) In the event of an emergency situation, as determined by the mayor of Germantown, cats may be subject to the leash ordinance.


SECTION 5-6 IMPOUNDMENT, NOTICE OF VIOLATION & EMERGENCY CARE
(a) Unrestrained dogs and nuisance animals shall be taken by the police, the animal control officer or humane officers or deputy animal control officers and impounded in a humane manner.

(b) Unclaimed impounded dogs or nuisance animals shall be kept for not less than three working days, after which if not reclaimed, adopted, or released for adoption, the impounded dogs or nuisance animals may be humanely euthanatized. The city shall not be liable for any disposition of such animal in accordance with this chapter. If not reclaimed, adopted or released for adoption after a reasonable length of time, as determined by the animal control commission, the dogs or nuisance animals shall be humanely euthanized.

(c) If by a license tag or other means the owner of an impounded animal can be identified, the city immediately upon impoundment, or as soon as practical thereafter, shall attempt to notify the owner by telephone or certified mail.

(d) An owner claiming an impoundment animal shall pay reasonable fees and expenses as the city may, from time to time, adopt or approve by appropriate administrative ordinance or resolution. It is the intent that all costs, including medical care, for care of an impounded animal are to be the responsibility of the owner of the animal. (e) Minimal emergency medical care:

   (1) Any sick or injured animal found at large within the city may be taken to any veterinarian for minimal emergency care or euthanasia; in which case the veterinarian shall notify the animal control commission or animal control officer immediately.


SECTION 5-7 ANIMAL CARE
(a) Every owner shall provide his animals with sufficient good and wholesome food and water, proper shelter and protection from the weather, veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering, and provide humane care and treatment.

(b) No person shall beat, cruelly ill treat, torment, overload, overwork, or otherwise abuse an animal, or cause, instigate or permit any dogfight, cockfight or bullfight, or any other combat between animals or between animals and humans.

(c) No owner of an animal shall abandon such animal.

(d) No person shall expose any known poisonous substance, whether mixed with food or not, so that the same shall be liable to be eaten by an animal, provided that it shall not be unlawful for a person to expose on his own property common rat poison mixed only with vegetable substance.


SECTION 5-10 ANIMAL
The owner of any animal shall remove any excreta deposited by his animal on public walks, recreation areas, public streets, or private property of others, except where attendants are employed for the purpose of removing the deposits, such as would be the case in a horse show arena, at a riding stable or other such event or establishment. Residents shall regularly rid their property of animal and pet waste.


SECTION 5-11 STERILIZATION
No unclaimed dog or cat shall be released for adoption from an impoundment without being sterilized or without a written agreement from the person adopting the dog or cat guaranteeing that such animal will be sterilized at the earliest possible time as determined by a licensed veterinarian. The city will collect at the time of adoption the applicable fees to cover the cost of sterilization and rabies vaccination. In addition, if the animal is to be domiciled within the city, the appropriate dog license fee will be collected.


SECTION 5-15 RABIES
(a) All dogs or cats six months of age or older shall be immunized against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. The owner must have in his possission a current vaccination certificate subject to the inspection of the animal control officer, or designated agent of the city.

(b) If any dog or cat has bitten any person or is suspected of having bitten any person, or is for any reason suspected of being infected with rabies, the animal control officer may cause such dog or cat to be confined or isolated for such period of time as deems necessary. Confinement of the animal may be accomplished at the animal shelter, or at a private veterinary hospital and any charges incurred shall be the responsibility of the owner.