CHAPTER 11-02
DANGEROUS OR VICIOUS ANIMALS:
11-0201. Animals Running at Large Prohibited.
11-0202. Impounding of Animals.
11-0203. Notice of Impounding.
11-0204. Release of Animal.
11-0205. Dangerous or Vicious Animals.
11-0206. Harboring Dangerous or Vicious Animals.
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11-0201. ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE PROHIBITED. No person who is the owner or keeper of any animal shall allow any animal to run at large in the City.
11-0202. IMPOUNDING OF ANIMALS. Any animal found running at large or abandoned may be impounded and shall keep it until redeemed or otherwise disposed of. Law enforcement shall have the right to go onto private property to carry our the purposes of this chapter and to deputize others to assist them.
11-0203. NOTICE OF IMPOUNDING. Law enforcement shall immediately give notice of impounding of any such animal to the owner, if known, and if the owner can be found.
11-0204. RELEASE OF ANIMAL. Any impounded animal may be redeemed by the owner thereof by payment to the City of Harwood of the fees hereinafter established; provided, however, that no animal shall be released unless the owner thereof shall present proof that such animal has been immunized for rabies within the twelve (12) months preceding its impoundment. When such proof is not available, the owner may advance the cost of immunization and any expense incidental thereto, and after such immunization has been accomplished, the animal may be redeemed and released upon payment of the fees provided. Any animal impounded shall bear current Harwood animal license tags or such shall be purchased for said animal by the owner prior to being redeemed by the owner.
11-0205. DANGEROUS OR VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any animal defined as dangerous or vicious in Section 11-0101 of this Chapter must be kept under control at all times by its owner. No person shall keep or permit any dangerous or vicious animal within the City unless such animal is secured by a chain or the person's premises or muzzled to prevent it from biting. Any dangerous or vicious animal found running at large may be destroyed without attempting to impound the same.
11-0206. HARBORING DANGEROUS OR VICIOUS ANIMALS. Any animal owner or keeper whose animal has attacked a person or another domestic animal shall take such precautions as may be necessary to ensure that the animal does not roam off the owner's or keeper’s premises and attack persons or animals. If a dangerous or vicious animal continues to stray from its owner's or keeper’s premises and control, thereby causing a risk to persons and animals, any law enforcement officer may, by petition to a court of appropriate jurisdiction, request that the animal be taken into custody, following which the Court shall determine whether the animal is dangerous or vicious and whether its owner's or keeper’s refusal or inability to restrain it constitutes a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the general public. If the Court determines that such a threat exists, it may make such orders as may be necessary to alleviate the danger, including the destruction of the animal in question. In the case of destruction ordered by the Court, the owner shall not be entitled to any compensation for the taking of the animal.