§ 4-48. Owner's duties.

(a)

It shall be the duty of every owner of any dog, or anyone having any dog in possession or custody, to exercise reasonable care and to take all necessary steps and precautions to protect other people, property and animals from injuries or damages which might result from their dog's behavior, regardless of whether such behavior is motivated by mischievousness, playfulness or ferocity.

(b)

In the event that the owner or keeper of any dog is a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with all provisions of this article.

(c)

It shall be the duty of every owner of any dog, or anyone having any dog in possession or custody, to ensure that the dog is kept under restraint and that reasonable care and precautions are taken to prevent the dog from leaving, while unattended, the real property limits of its owner, possessor or custodian, and that:

(1)

It is securely and humanly enclosed within a house, building, fence, pen or other enclosure out of which it cannot climb, dig, jump or otherwise escape on its own volition, preventing the animal from gaining access to the exterior of such premises or from reaching persons or animals from within such premises, and such enclosure must be securely locked at any time the animal is left unattended;

(2)

It is securely and humanly restrained by chain, cable and trolley, or other tether of sufficient strength to prevent escape. For the safety of the animal, no such chain may be less than eight feet in length; accordingly, if such premises are not of sufficient area to maintain the animals as aforesaid, then such premises may not be used for such purpose; or

(3)

It is on a leash, not longer than five feet, strong enough to restrain and control the movements of said dog and under the control of a responsible and competent person.

(Code 1994, § 8-26; Ord. of 9-30-1996)