Chapter 57 – Dangerous And Vicious Animals

Section 11. Disposition of "High Risk Animals": A. Guard Dogs: Owners of guard or attack dog must keep the dog within a fixed structure at all times. Any guard dog found at large may be treated as a high-risk animal pursuant to this ordinance. Any residential or commercial premises guarded by an attack dog will post a permanent sign containing the words "Guard Dogs" or "Vicious Dogs" and the owner of the premises must inform the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, or the Mayor that a guard dog is on-duty at the premises. B. Apprehension of the High-Risk Animal. In the event that a high risk animal is found at large and creating a hazard to person or property, such animal, at the discretion of the City Mayor or his designee, including the Johnson Count Sheriff, will be destroyed, if it cannot be confined or captured. However, the City shall be under no duty to attempt the confinement or capture of a high-risk animal, found at large. If a high-risk animal creates a hazard to a person or property and if it is apprehended, the City or the Johnson County Sheriff's Department may attempt to notify the owner immediately. However, if the owner cannot be located after reasonable efforts, the City or Sheriff has no duty to notify the owner of the apprehension of the high-risk animal prior to its destruction. The high-risk animal may be humanely destroyed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with the law. B. Receipt by the City of a Written Complaint of Keeping, Sheltering, or Harboring a High Risk Animal. Upon the receipt of a written complaint or an oral complaint documented by the City Clerk, stating that a person is keeping, sheltering, or harboring a high-risk animal upon their premises or that the person has been bitten by the animal, the Mayor or his designee, may cause the matter to be investigated by law enforcement personnel, or the Mayor's designee. 1. If the facts indicate that a person may be keeping, sheltering, or harboring a high-risk animal, the animal may be immediately seized and impounded in a location approved by the Mayor at the owner's expense until a public hearing is held that allows at least 10 days prior notice to the owner.