The dog running at large in the intersection of W. Fourth and Dewey streets Wednesday about 9:30 p.m. did not give a warm welcome to an officer of the Perry Police Department but barked and bared its teeth aggressively until its owner arrived on the scene just in time to receive a citation for third-offense dog at large.
According to chapter 55.07 of the Perry Code of Ordinances, ” It is unlawful for any owner to allow an animal to run at large within the corporate limits of the City. For purposes of this chapter, an animal shall not be deemed to be running at large when the animal is restrained either upon the premises of the owner or custodian or upon another’s premises with the permission of the person owning the premises so long as the animal is restrained in such a manner that it cannot enter the public streets, sidewalks, alleys or other public areas or property not owned by the animal’s owner, custodian or permittee.”
Chapter 55.10.A states that “no person owning, possessing, harboring or having the care of a vicious dog shall permit such animal to go unconfined on or off the premises of such person unless the following conditions are met:
1. Confinement. All vicious dogs shall be securely enclosed in a locked pen or
kennel, except when leashed and muzzled as provided hereinafter. Such locked pen or
kennel must be constructed of metal fencing material, which is strong enough to
withstand any pressure exerted by the confined dog or dogs. All fencing shall be of a
type that will not allow a dog to push through and all structures must be secured at the
sides and then be covered by a secured top attached to the sides. All structures to confine dogs must be locked with a key or combination padlock when such animals are within the structure. Said structure must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen so that the confined animal cannot burrow or dig beneath the sides. All structures erected to house vicious dogs must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City. All such structures must be adequately lighted and kept in a clean and sanitary manner.
2. Leash and Muzzle. No person shall permit a vicious dog to go outside its kennel, pen or indoor confinement unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four (4) feet. All vicious dogs on a leash outside the animal’s kennel, pen or indoor confinement must be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent the dog from biting persons or other animals. No person shall permit a vicious dog to be tethered
on a chain, rope or other type of leash. Such dogs may not be secured to inanimate
objects such as trees, posts, buildings, etc.
3. No vicious dog may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such building on its own volition. In addition, no such animal may be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacles preventing the dog from exiting the structure.
4. Micro-chipping. If a vicious dog is impounded without wearing identification, the owner shall be required to purchase City of Perry Dog Registration Tag, and microchip identification before the animal may be released to the owner. If the microchip is not implanted by the owner, it may be implanted by the animal control authority. In either case, all costs related to purchase and implantation of the microchip will be at the
expense of the dog’s owner.”
According to Chapter 55.18, “Any violation of this Chapter shall be considered an offense for which a civil fine in an amount set by resolution by the Perry City Council shall be imposed, payable to the Perry City Clerk.”
The current fine for a citation for third-offense dog at large is $135, which includes a $50 civil penalty and an $85 court cost.
