Ordinances-1979-80

SECTION VII. Vicious dogs: It shall be unlawful for any person to harbor or keep a vicious dog within the city. A dog is deemed to be vicious when it shall have attacked or bitten any person without provocation or when propensity to attack or bite person shall exist and is known or ought reasonably to be known by the owner. SECTION VIII. Disposal of Animals Other Than Dogs: If the owner of any animal apprehended other than a dog and cannot be located after reasonable effort by the local authorities such animal may be humanely destroyed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with the law. SECTION IX. Impounding: Any dog found at large, or any dog found without proper immunization tags shall be impounded at the facility prescribed by the City of Tiffin, Iowa. The owners of any licensed dog shall be notified, and upon payment of the $15.00 impounding costs plus $3.00 per day boarding fee, such animal will be returned. If the impounded licensed dog is not recovered by its owner within three days after notice, the dog shall be disposed of by the Animal Shelter personnel; or as otherwise ordered by the Mayor. Any impounded unlicensed dog may be recovered by the owner upon proper identification and by producing at the time or recovery a current license from the County of Johnson County, Iowa, and also a record of immunization against rabies administered within two years of the date of recovery. Upon said showing and paying the impounding costs of $15.00 within three days after impounding, the dog shall be returned to its owner. If said conditions are not met within the three days the unlicensed dog shall be disposed of by the Animal Shelter personnel or as otherwise ordered by the Mayor. SECTION X. Infected Animals: Any dog or other animal that appears to be infected after being impounded, or during an attempt to impound, such animal may be disposed of or handled in any manner which seems reasonable and prudent to the Animal Shelter personnel at the time. SECTION XI. Responsibility of Owner: Nothing contained in this Ordinance shall relieve the owner or owners of any animal from responsibility for any damage committed by such animal as provided by the laws of the State of Iowa. SECTION XII. Summons Issued: The owner of any licensed dog or the owner, if known of any unlicensed dog or other animal shall be issued a summons to appear in court to answer charges permitting such dog or animal to be at large in violation of this article. SECTION XIII: Anyone violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall upon conviction be subject to a fine not exceeding $100.00. REPEALER. All ordinances, or parts of ordinances, in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed. SAVING CLAUSE: If any section, provision, or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole, or any section, provision, or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.