Butler Council to vote on vicious dog ordinance tonight

The Butler City Council will be voting tonight whether or not to adopt an ordinance amendment regarding vicious dogs within the city limits of Butler- An ordinance amending the city code chapter 5. Animals, article II. Dogs and cats, sections 5-36 of the City of Butler, Missouri.

Highlights of the amendment:

Bill 2014-6 Ordinance No. 90
Sec. 5-36 states Keeping of pit bull dogs prohibited.

Prohibition; definition. It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor, own or in any way posses  within the corporate city limits of the City of Butler, Missouri, any pit bull dog; provided, that pit bull dogs residing in the city on the date of passage of this section may  be kept with the city subject to the standards and requirements herein set forth. "Pit bull dog" is defined to mean:

1. The bull terrier breed of dog;
2. Staffordshire bull terrier breed of dog;
3. The American pit bull terrier breed of dog;
4. The American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog;
5. Dogs of mixed breed or other breeds than above listed  which breed or mixed  breed is known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers;
6. Any dog that has the appearance and characteristics of being predominately of the breeds of bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, any other breed commonly known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers, or a combination of any of these breeds.

Standards for keeping already resident pit bull dogs. Pit bull dogs residing in the City of Butler  at the time of passage of this section may be kept by their owners within the city, subject to the following standards:

1. Pit bull dogs residing in the city at the time of passage of this section must be registered within 10 days of passage of this section;
2. No person shall permit a pit bull dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless such a dog is securely leashed; all pit bull dogs outside the animals kennel must be muzzled by muzzling device sufficient to prevent biting persons or other animals;
3. All pit bull dogs shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel;
4. No pit bull dog may be kept on a porch, patio or any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such building;
5. All owners, keepers or harborers of pit bull dogs must within 10 days days of the effective date, display a sign readable by the public using the words "Beware of Dog-Pit Bull".
6. All owners, keepers or harborers must within 10 days of the effective date provide proof of liability insurance of $100,000 for bodily injury to or death of any person or persons as the result from the ownership, keeping maintenance of such an animal;
7. Provide photographs of the dogs to the deputy city clerk;
8. All owners, keepers or harborers of pit bull dogs must within 10 days report the removal or death of a pit bull dog; birth of offspring; a new address should the owner move within the city limits.
9. Sales or transfer would be prohibited within the city of Butler unless the recipient resides in the same household;
10. Offspring of pit bull dogs must be removed from the city within 6 weeks of birth;
11. Any dog registered with the city as a pit bull dog or those breeds listed in this section are in fact subject to the requirements in this section;
12. Any failure to comply with requirements and conditions will result in immediate seizure of the animal and revocation of license;

Sec. 5-36, Vicious dogs.

It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor own or in any way possess or bring within the corporate city limits of the city any vicious dog.

A dog may be declared vicious by the Chief of Police or authorized representative including the animal control officer;

If the defendant refuses to remove the dog from the city, the court may find the defendant in contempt and order the immediate confiscation and impoundment of the animal.

Each day that a violation of this section continues shall be deemed a separate offense.

In addition, any person who violates this section shall pay for all expenses necessitated by enforcement of this section.

Note-some verbiage of the actual document was edited for this posting.