A. It is unlawful for any owner or custodian of any dog to permit any such dog to run loose or be at large upon any public street, highway, or public place, or upon private property owned by a person or persons other than the owner or custodian of the dog, within the corporate limits of the City unless such dog is confined and controlled by a leash, rope, device or cord of such length as is sufficiently short to allow for the containment and control of such dog. Such leash, rope, device, or cord shall be of such material and of such size as to insure the custodian of the dog at the time can control and restrain the dog. Any person who elects to be at large within the corporate limits of the City with a dog or dogs contained and controlled by a leash, rope, device, or cord as provided for herein shall be in violation of this section if that person in fact does not or cannot control and contain any dog by the leash, rope, device, or cord method.

B. Animals injured or killed in the street shall be considered as running at large; the Community Services Officer shall remove all such animals and, at his discretion, take those needing medical attention to a veterinarian or the animal shelter. The owner of any such animal shall be responsible for all expenses of the treatment and of the impoundment. Reasonable efforts will be made using the licensing records of the City to notify the owner or custodian of any such animal prior to the animal being treated and impounded. Injured animals may be destroyed humanely, if it is determined by the Community Services Officer or a veterinarian that the animal has sustained critical injuries, suffering is extreme, and/or the prognosis for recovery is poor. The Community Services Officer shall consult with a veterinarian as to the disposition of injured animals, when the animals’ prognosis cannot be ascertained with reasonable certainty. (Ord. 2757, 3/24/15)