Nuisances

No person shall own, keep or harbor any animal that unreasonably annoys humans, endangers the life or health of persons or other animals, or substantially interferes with the rights of citizens, other than their owner’s, to enjoyment of life or property.  The term “animal nuisances” shall include, but is not limited to any animal that:

• Barking, Crowing, Howling, Yelping, Whining.  Barks, crows, howls, yelps or whines loud enough to be heard beyond the premises of where it is kept or harbored;
• Trespassing.  Goes upon any property or premises not owned or occupied by the person who keeps, harbors or owns the animal;
• Damaging Personal Property.  Turns over, gets into, or otherwise damages or disturbs garbage cans, any items or personal property located on any premises other than those owned or occupied by the person who owns, keeps or harbors the animal;
• Frightening, Molesting People.  Runs at, jumps upon, chases, barks at, bites at, or in any other way frightens, molests, or scares any child or adult other than the one who owns, keeps or harbors the animal and the members of his immediate family;
• Attacking, Chasing Other Animals.  Attacks or chases any other animal besides those animals who are kept, owned or harbored by the same person;   
• Chasing Vehicles.  Chases motor vehicles, bicycles or scooters other than those owned or operated by the same person or his immediate family, who keeps, owns or harbors the animal;
• Running at Large in the Public Parks.  Goes upon City cemeteries, parks and playgrounds, except at designated parks or under restraint;
• Vacant or Unoccupied Properties.  Is housed in or confined on the premises of any vacant or unoccupied residences.
• Offensive Odors and Sanitary Conditions. Causes fouling of the air by noxious or offensive odors resulting from the accumulation of animal excrement and thereby creates unreasonable annoyance or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept or harbored because of the failure to keep the animal’s pen, yard, lot or other enclosures in a sanitary condition and free from preventable orders; and
• Public Health and Safety.  Is offensive or dangerous to the public health, safety or welfare by virtue of the number of animals maintained at a single residence or the inadequacy of the facilities or the inability to provide proper care for those animals.

As a citizen it is my responsibility to...

Comply with the animal ordinance.  Pick up after my animal and make sure that it is properly contained at all times.  Report possible violations of the animal ordinance to Animal Control & Protection.

It is the responsibility of the city to...

Animal Control & Protection will investigate animal ordinance violations.  Depending on the nature of the violation, animals may be impounded and/or the owner fined for violations.  The Code Enforcement Board serves as the hearing body of animal ordinance violations, with the exception of animal cruelty, vicious animal and bite cases.

If I am interested, who do I contact...

Animal Control & Protection, Neighborhood & Community Services Department, 707 E. Main Avenue, (270) 393-4000