City of Glenwood Pit Bull Ordinance

CODE OF ORDINANCES

CITY OF GLENWOOD

CHAPTER 54

54.06 PIT BULL PROHIBITED

Except as otherwise provided in this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport, or sell any pit bull within the City of Glenwood, Iowa.

1. Pit Bull and Owner Defined

A. A "pit bull" is defined as any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displayed the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds (more so than any other breed), or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the aforementioned breeds, as from time to time may be modified. The final determination of the classification of any dog lies with the City Council of the City of Glenwood.

B. An "owner" is defined as any person or entity who owns, possesses, keeps, exercises control over, maintains, harbors, transports or sells a pit bull.

2. Exception to Prohibition

The owner of a pit bull currently licensed as of the date of publication of the ordinance codified in this section and who maintains the pit bull at all times in compliance with the requirements of this section and all other applicable requirements of Chapter 54 and Chapter 55 of the Glenwood Code of Ordinances, may keep a pit bull within the City limits of Glenwood, Iowa. Such requirements of this section are as follows:

A. The owner of the pit bull shall keep the license current by annual renewal, and such license shall not be transferable and shall be renewable only by the holder of the license or by a member of the immediate family, such licensee who is at least 18 years of age. The owner shall not be able to sell or transfer the pit bull to any other person or entity located within the City of Glenwood, Iowa except to a member of the immediate family. The Glenwood Police Department shall be notified by the owner of any such sale or transfer within three (3) days of the sale or transfer, and the owner shall provide the name, age, address, and telephone number of the new owner.

B. The owner must provide or present to the Glenwood Police Department proof that the owner has procured liability insurance in the minimum amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), covering any damage or injury that may be caused by a pit bull during the duration of its license. Such policy shall contain a provision requiring the insurance company to provide written notice to the Glenwood Police Department not less than fifteen (15) days prior to any cancellation, termination, or expiration of the policy.

C. The owner, at his or her own expense, shall have the pit bull spayed or neutered within thirty (30) days of the final publication of this ordinance, and present written proof to the Glenwood Police Department from a licensed veterinarian that such sterilization has been performed.

D. The owner shall cause to be placed and remain in place a sign at his or her property entrance and which must contain the words "pit bull dog." Said sign shall be a minimum of 8" X 10" in size and the lettering on such sign shall not be less than two (2) inches in height.

E. At all times when a pit bull is at the property of the owner, the owner shall keep the pit bull confined. "Confined" as used in this section shall mean the dog shall be placed in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure upon the premises which shall be set back at least ten (10) feet from the nearest property line of the premises. Said pen or structure must be constructed of materials which prevent the pit bull from biting or otherwise attacking a person wholly outside of the pen or structure. No owner or person shall permit or allow such pit bull to be beyond the premises of such person unless the pit bull is securely leashed and muzzled by a responsible adult, or otherwise securely restrained in a kennel or other enclosure. The leash shall be no longer than four feet. "Muzzled" shall mean that the jaws of the pit bull are confined by a devise that prevents the pit bull from biting. A "secured temporary enclosure" shall mean an enclosure used for purposes of transporting a pit bull and which includes a top and bottom permanently attached to the sides except for a door for removal of the pit bull. Such enclosure must be constructed in order to ensure that the pit bull may not exit the enclosure on its own.

F. The owner of the pit bull must notify the Glenwood Police Department within five (5) days in the event the pit bull is lost, stolen, dies or has a litter.

G. In the event of a litter, the owner shall not keep any puppy of the litter for more than eight (8) weeks. Any puppy from the litter shall be permanently transferred out of the City limits of the City of Glenwood, Iowa within eight weeks of its birth.

3. The City of Glenwood is authorized to immediately impound any pit bull found in the City limits of the City of Glenwood for which the foregoing requirements have not been strictly complied with by the owner, and, upon such impoundment, shall be able to dispose of the pit bull in accord with Section 55.04 or Section 55.16 of the Glenwood City Code of Ordinances.