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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4917-6 /25/200867Y OF WATERLOO I Document Number: 2009006150 Date: Sep 19, 2008 4:30:00 pm Aud Fee: 0.00 Rec Fee: 40.00 P Trans Tax: 0.00 Rec Management Fee: 1.00 E -Com Fee: 1.00 Non -Standard Page Fee: 0.00 Filed for record in Black Hawk County, Iowa Z Judith A. McCarthy, County Recorder This Ordinance prepared by Nancy Eckert, City Clerk, 715 Mulberry Street, Waterloo, Iowa. ORDINANCE NO. 4917 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2007 CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WATERLOO, IOWA BY REPEALING SECTION 5-1B-3, REGULATIONS ON KEEPING, SUBSECTION (G), ORDER TO REMOVE, AND SUBSECTION (H), APPEAL; OF SECTION 5-1B- 4, DANGEROUS DOGS PROHIBITED, SUBSECTION (E), NOTICE OF VIOLATION; CONFINEMENT, AND SUBSECTION (F), APPEAL PROCEDURE; OF SECTION 5-1B-7, REGISTRATION OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOGS, SUBSECTION (B), REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT AND PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO REGISTER, AND SUBSECTION (N), APPEAL PROCEDURE, OF SECTION 5-1B-6, RESTRICTIONS ON POSSESSION OF ANIMALS, SUBSECTION (A), PERSONS CONVICTED UNDER STATE LAW ON ANIMAL CONTEST EVENTS, SUBSECTION (B), PERSONS CONVICTED UNDER THIS ARTICLE, SUBSECTION (C), VIOLATION REGISTRY, SUBSECTION (D), NOTICE OF VIOLATION; CONFINEMENT, SUBSECTION (E), APPEAL PROCEDURE, AND SUBSECTION (G), FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ORDER, OF ARTICLE B, DANGEROUS ANIMALS AND DOGS, OF CHAPTER 1, ANIMAL CONTROL, OF TITLE 5, POLICE REGULATIONS; AND ENACTING IN LIEU THEREOF A NEW SECTION 5-1B-3, REGULATIONS ON KEEPING, SUBSECTION (G), ORDER TO REMOVE, AND SUBSECTION (H), APPEAL; OF SECTION 5- 1B-4, DANGEROUS DOGS PROHIBITED, SUBSECTION (E), NOTICE OF VIOLATION; CONFINEMENT, AND SUBSECTION (F), APPEAL PROCEDURE; OF SECTION 5-1B-7, REGISTRATION OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOGS, SUBSECTION (B), REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT AND PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO REGISTER, AND SUBSECTION (N), APPEAL PROCEDURE, OF SECTION 5-1B-6, RESTRICTIONS ON POSSESSION OF ANIMALS, SUBSECTION (A), PERSONS CONVICTED UNDER STATE LAW ON ANIMAL CONTEST EVENTS, SUBSECTION (B), PERSONS CONVICTED UNDER THIS ARTICLE, SUBSECTION (C), VIOLATION REGISTRY, SUBSECTION (D), NOTICE OF VIOLATION; CONFINEMENT, SUBSECTION (E), APPEAL PROCEDURE, AND SUBSECTION (G), FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ORDER, OF ARTICLE B, DANGEROUS ANIMALS AND DOGS, OF CHAPTER 1, ANIMAL CONTROL, OF TITLE 5, POLICE REGULATIONS. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATERLOO, IOWA; That Section 5-1B-3, Regulations On Keeping, Subsection (G), Order To Remove, and Subsection (H), Appeal; of Section 5- 1B-4, Dangerous Dogs Prohibited, Subsection (E), Notice Of Violation; Confinement, and Subsection (F) Appeal Procedure; of Ordinance No. 4917 Page 2 Section 5-1B-7, Registration Of Potentially Dangerous Dogs, Subsection (B), Registration Requirement And Penalty For Failure To Register, and Subsection (N), Appeal Procedure, of Section 5- 1B-6, Restrictions On Possession Of Animals, Subsection (A), Persons Convicted Under State Law On Animal Contest Events, Subsection (B), Persons Convicted Under This Article, Subsection (C), Violation Registry, Subsection (D), Notice Of Violation; Confinement, Subsection (E), Appeal Procedure, and Subsection (G), Failure To Comply With Order, of Article B, Dangerous Animals And Dogs, of Chapter 1, Animal Control, of Title 5, Police Regulations of the 2007 Code of Ordinances of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, be and the same is hereby repealed in its entirety; that a new Section 5-1B-3, Regulations On Keeping, Subsection (G), Order To Remove, and Subsection (H), Appeal; of Section 5-1B-4, Dangerous Dogs Prohibited, Subsection (E), Notice Of Violation; Confinement, and Subsection (F), Appeal Procedure; of Section 5-1B-7, Registration Of Potentially Dangerous Dogs, Subsection (B), Registration Requirement And Penalty For Failure To Register, and Subsection (N), Appeal Procedure, of Section 5-1B-6, Restrictions On Possession Of Animals, Subsection (A), Persons Convicted Under State Law On Animal Contest Events, Subsection (B), Persons Convicted Under This Article, Subsection (C), Violation Registry, Subsection (D), Notice Of Violation; Confinement, Subsection (E), Appeal Procedure, and Subsection (G), Failure To Comply With Order, of Article B, Dangerous Animals And Dogs, of Chapter 1, Animal Control, of Title 5, Police Regulations, is hereby enacted in lieu thereof as follows: ARTICLE B: DANGEROUS ANIMALS AND DOGS 5-1B-3: REGULATIONS ON KEEPING: G. Order To Remove: In the event the animal control officer determines that a dangerous animal is being kept, sheltered or harbored by any individual or entity in violation of the provisions of this article, the animal control officer may, in his discretion, have such individual or entity prosecuted for such violation, and he may order such individual or entity to remove such dangerous animal from the city or destroy it. Such order shall be contained in a notice to remove dangerous animal, which notice shall be given in writing, directed to such individual or entity and delivered personally or by certified mail. Delivery shall be deemed to occur at the time of personal delivery or three business days after the date of mailing. Such order of the animal control officer shall be appealable to the city council, which may affirm or reverse such order, and the notice shall so state. H. Appeal: Any individual or entity desiring to appeal an order issued by the animal control officer pursuant to subsection G of this section, to the city council, may do so by filing a written appeal with the city clerk within seven (7) days after delivery of the notice to remove dangerous animal. The notice of Ordinance No. 4917 Page 3 appeal shall state the grounds for such appeal. The hearing of such appeal shall be scheduled within thirty (30) days of the receipt of notice of appeal. After such hearing, the city council may affirm or reverse the order of the animal control officer. Such determination shall be contained in a written decision and shall be filed with the city clerk within twenty (20) days after the hearing, or any continued session thereof. 5-1B-4: DANGEROUS DOGS PROHIBITED: E. Notice of Violation; Confinement: In the event the animal control officer determines that a dangerous dog is being kept, sheltered or harbored by any individual or entity in violation of the provisions of this article, which determination may be based on direct observation or on clear and convincing credible evidence (such as photographs, witness affidavits, or other physical evidence) that the dog qualifies as dangerous under the definition of dangerous dog found in Ordinance 5-1B-1, the animal control officer may, in his or her discretion, have such individual or entity prosecuted for such violation. After making a finding that the dog is a dangerous dog, animal control shall issue a written notice of violation, directed to such individual or entity, and delivered personally or by certified mail. Delivery shall be deemed to occur at the time of personal delivery or three business days after the date of mailing. Such determination of the animal control officer shall be appealable to the city council, which may affirm or reverse such order, and the notice shall so state. At the time such notice is issued, the dog shall be taken into the custody of animal control and confined at the owner's expense at the Cedar Bend Humane Society, at a veterinarian or at a kennel until such time as the owner agrees in writing to remove or destroy the dog or the city council has ruled on an appeal of the dangerous dog finding. In the event the owner fails to take all steps necessary to timely perfect an appeal or fails within the period for appeal to satisfy the requirements for removal set forth in subsection G, paragraph (2) below, the dog shall be destroyed in a humane manner and the costs associated with boarding and destruction of the dog shall be assessed against the owner. F. Appeal Procedure: 1. Any individual or entity desiring to appeal a determination by the animal control officer to the city council may do so by filing a written appeal with the city clerk within seven (7) days after delivery of the notice. The notice of appeal shall state the grounds for such appeal. The appeal cannot be filed until all costs incurred to date in caring and providing for the dog are paid and a bond is posted Ordinance No. 4917 Page 4 with the city in an amount totaling the current daily rate of impoundment at animal control multiplied by 45 days, but not to exceed $500.00. The bond may be filed as a cash bond or if signed by a surety company, then a solvent company authorized to do business in the state and in the county, which is acceptable to the city. If the city council ultimately finds the dog not to be dangerous, all costs paid and any bond posted by the owner shall be refunded to the owner. In the event that the dangerous dog finding is upheld on appeal, any costs incurred in caring for the dog through the appeal process shall be charged against the bond. 5-1B-7: REGISTRATION OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOGS: B. Registration Requirement and Penalty for Failure to Register: If animal control determines that a dog meets the definition of "potentially dangerous" pursuant to subsection A, the dog cannot be owned, sheltered, housed, harbored, kept, or maintained within the city limits of Waterloo unless the owner or possessor completes a registration with animal control and receives a registration certificate authorizing ownership or possession of the dog. Animal control shall notify the owner or possessor in writing that the dog is potentially dangerous, which notice shall be delivered personally or by certified mail. Delivery shall be deemed to occur at the time of personal delivery or three business days after the date of mailing. Within seven (7) days following the date that animal control delivers notice to the owner or possessor that the dog is potentially dangerous, the owner or possessor of the dog must obtain the registration certificate or file an appeal of such determination pursuant to subsection N below. Any person found to own, shelter, house, harbor, keep, or maintain a dog which qualifies as a potentially dangerous dog under this section who has failed to register said dog or failed to file an appeal within the required seven (7) day period will be subject to an administrative penalty in the amount of $50 and/or a municipal infraction violation. In addition, the registration fee will be increased to $100 and animal control will, impound the animal. The owner or possessor may register the dog within seven (7) days following impoundment and obtain release of the dog if the required registration fee, administrative penalty, and all costs associated with boarding are paid. If the owner or possessor does not complete the registration process or file an appeal within seven (7) days after impoundment, the dog shall be destroyed in a humane manner and all costs associated with boarding and destruction of the dog shall be assessed against the owner or possessor. Ordinance No. 4917 Page 5 N. Appeal Procedure: 1. Any individual or entity desiring to appeal a determination by the animal control officer that a dog is potentially dangerous may do so by filing a written appeal with the city clerk within seven (7) days after the date that animal control delivers notice that the dog is potentially dangerous. The notice of appeal shall state the grounds for such appeal. In addition, a filing fee of $50 must also be paid to the city clerk for the appeal to be considered filed. 2. The hearing on the appeal shall be scheduled for a date within thirty (30) days of filing of the notice of appeal and shall be scheduled for no more than thirty (30) minutes in length or such additional time as the city council in its discretion may deem necessary. If the appellant desires additional time, he or she must make application to the city council for an extension at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing. The appeal hearing shall be simple and informal, without regard to technicalities or procedure or rules regarding admissibility of evidence. The city council may consider any evidence it considers credible, including written summaries and other secondary sources, and give such weight to the evidence as it considers warranted. After such hearing, the city council may affirm or reverse the finding of the animal control officer. Such determination shall be contained in a written decision and shall be filed with the city clerk within ten (10) days after the hearing, or any continued session thereof. If the city council affirms the potentially dangerous dog finding, the owner must complete the registration process pursuant to this ordinance within seven (7) days of the city council's finding. Failure to do so will subject the owner to the provisions set forth in subsection B above. 5-1B-6: RESTRICTIONS ON POSSESSION OF ANIMALS: A. Persons Convicted Under State Law On Animal Contest Events: Any person who has been convicted of an offense under Iowa Code 717D.2 shall be prohibited from owning, keeping, sheltering, or harboring within the city limits any animal of the same type (e.g., dog, cat, etc.) involved in or at issue in such offense. Violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and be punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or constitute a municipal infraction. B. Persons Convicted Under This Article: Any person who has been twice convicted of a misdemeanor and/or a municipal infraction under section 5-1B-4 of this article shall be prohibited from owning, keeping, sheltering, or harboring any dog within the city limits. Violation of this section shall constitute a J Ordinance No. 4917 Page 6 misdemeanor and be punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or constitute a municipal infraction. (Ord. 4825, 7-24-2006) C. Violation Registry: Animal control shall keep a registry of names and addresses of individuals with convictions for violating Iowa Code 717D.2 and City of Waterloo ordinance 5-1B-4. Any individual on this registry is subject to the restrictions on ownership found in ordinance 5-1B-6, regardless of whether the individual changes addresses or moves to a different residence. An individual will be in violation of this ordinance so long as the prohibited animal is found in their residence regardless of any claim that the animal belongs to someone else residing at the residence. D. Notice of Violation; Confinement: In the event an animal control officer determines that an animal is being kept, sheltered or harbored by any individual or entity in violation of the provisions of this section, which determination may be based on direct observation or on clear and convincing credible evidence (such as photographs, witness affidavits, or other physical evidence), the animal control officer shall have such individual or entity prosecuted for such violation and shall take the animal into custody at the owner's expense at the Cedar Bend Humane Society, at a veterinarian or at a kennel until such time as the owner agrees in writing to remove or destroy the animal or the city council has ruled on an appeal of the violation finding. After making a finding that an animal is being kept, sheltered, or harbored in violation of this article, animal control shall issue a written notice of violation, directed to such individual or entity, and delivered personally or by certified mail. Delivery shall be deemed to occur at the time of personal delivery or three business days after the date of mailing. Such determination of the animal control officer shall be appealable to the city council, which may affirm or reverse such order, and the notice shall so state. At the time such notice is issued, the animal shall be taken into custody. E. Appeal Procedure: 1. Any individual or entity desiring to appeal a determination by the animal control officer to the city council may do so by filing a written appeal within seven (7) days after delivery of the notice. The notice of appeal shall state the grounds for such appeal. The appeal cannot be filed until all costs incurred to date in caring and providing for the animal are paid and a bond is posted with the city in an amount totaling the current daily rate of impoundment at animal control multiplied by 45 days, but not to exceed $500.00. The bond may be filed as a cash bond or if signed by a surety company, then a Ordinance No. 4917 Page 7 solvent company authorized to do business in the state and in the county, which is acceptable to the city. If the city council ultimately finds that the animal is not a "dangerous dog" under Section 5-1B-1, or a "potentially dangerous dog" under Section 5 -1B -7(A), and is trained to provide assistance to an owner who is permanently disabled, all costs paid and any bond posted by the owner shall be refunded to the owner. In the event that the animal is found to have been kept, harbored, or sheltered in violation of this section, any costs incurred in caring for the animal through the appeal process shall be charged against the bond. 2. The hearing on the appeal shall be scheduled for a date within thirty (30) days of the filing of the notice of appeal and shall be scheduled for no more than thirty (30) minutes in length or such additional time as the city council in its discretion may deem necessary. If the appellant desires additional time, he or she must make application to the city council for an extension at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing. The appeal hearing shall be simple and informal, without regard to technicalities of procedure or rules regarding admissibility of evidence. The city council may consider any evidence it considers credible, including written summaries and other secondary sources, and give such weight to the evidence as it considers warranted. After such hearing, the city council may affirm or reverse the finding of the animal control officer. Such determination shall be contained in a written decision and shall be filed with the city clerk within ten (10) days after the hearing, or any continued session thereof. G. Failure to Comply with Order: 1. If the city council affirms the action of the animal control officer, the city council shall also order in its written decision that the individual or entity owning, sheltering, harboring or keeping the animal in violation of this article remove such animal from the city or destroy it. The decision and order shall immediately be served upon the person or entity against whom rendered in the same manner as the original notice of violation. 2. If removal is permitted, the animal will not be returned to the owner until the owner executes a form provided by the city which includes the following: (a) identifying information for the animal, (b) the location to which it will be removed, and (c) the date of removal. The owner must also pay all cost and expense of impoundment incurred to date before the animal will be released and the bond lifted. If within seven (7) days of issuance of the order the owner fails to complete the application for removal Ordinance No. 4917 Page 8 and pay the cost and expense of impoundment, fails to petition the Black Hawk County District Court for review of the order, or otherwise fails to take action, then animal control shall cause the animal to be destroyed in a humane manner. If the animal is ordered destroyed by the city council and the owner fails to file a petition for review of the order with the Black Hawk County District Court within seven (7) days of its issuance, the animal will be destroyed in a humane manner. Failure to comply with an order of the city council issued pursuant hereto shall constitute a misdemeanor, and be punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00), or constitute a municipal infraction. INTRODUCED: June 23, 2008 PASSED 1St CONSIDERATION: June 23, 2008 PASSED 2nd CONSIDERATION: June 23, 2008 PASSED 3rd CONSIDERATION: June 23, 2008 PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, on the 23rd day of June, 2008, and approved by the Mayor on the 25th day of June, 2008. ATTEST: Nancy Ecke CMC City Cler] Tim Hurley, Mayor CERTIFICATE I, Nancy Eckert, City Clerk of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, do hereby certify that the preceding is a true and complete copy of Ordinance No. 4917 as passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, on the 23rd day of June, 2008. Witness my hand and seal of office this 25th day of June, 2008. Nancy Ecke CMC City Clerk