Ordinances-2008-295

Section 9. Keeping of “Dangerous” Animals is Prohibited. No person may keep, shelter, harbor, act as a temporary custodian, or for any other purpose, an animal defined “dangerous” in the list above, except for the following circumstances: A. exhibition to the public by a bona fide traveling circus, carnival, exhibit, or show; B. treatment at a bono fide veterinary hospital; C. rescue by a wildlife rescue organization with an appropriate permit from the Iowa Conservation Commission, pursuant to Iowa Code Chapters 109 and 109A. Section 10. Disposition of “Dangerous” Animals: A. Apprehension of the Dangerous Animal. In the event that a dangerous animal is found at large that creates a hazard to person or property, the animal, at the discretion of the Mayor or the Mayor’s designee, including the Johnson County Sheriff, may be destroyed if it cannot be confined or captured. The City is under no duty to attempt to confine or capture a dangerous animal found at large. If a dangerous animal creates a hazard to a person or property, the City or its designee (i.e., Johnson County Sheriff) may attempt to notify the owner to address the violation. If the owner cannot be located after reasonable efforts, the City does not have a duty to notify the owner of the apprehension of the dangerous animal nor to notify the owner prior to its destruction. The dangerous animal may be humanely destroyed in accordance with the law. B. Receipt by the City of a Written Complaint of Keeping, Sheltering, or Harboring a Dangerous Animal. Upon the receipt of a written or oral complaint, as documented by the City Clerk, stating that a person is keeping, sheltering, or harboring a dangerous animal upon any premises within the city limits, the Mayor, or his designee, may cause the matter to be investigated. If the facts indicate that a person may be keeping, sheltering, or harboring a dangerous animal, the animal may be immediately seized and impounded in a location approved by the Mayor, such as a kennel or veterinary clinic, at the owner’s expense. If after the end of three days of impoundment, the person identified as “owner” has not come forth to claim the animal, the City will cause the animal to be disposed of by sale, permanent placement with an organization or group allowed to possess dangerous animals, or destroy the animal in a humane manner.