HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Amending Animal Ordinance to delete Ames Humane League ORDINANCE NO. 3509
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF
AMES, IOWA, BY REPEALING SECTIONS 3.121, 3.202(2), 3.205, 3.301(2)
AND 3.303 AND READOPTING THE SAME REVISED TO DELETE
REFERENCES TO THE AMES HUMANE LEAGUE; REPEALING ANY AND
ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE
EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT; PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames, Iowa, that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by
repealing Sections and Subsections 3.121, 3.202(2), 3.205, 3.301(2)and 3.303, and readopting the same revised to state
as follows:
"Sec. 3.121 SHELTER FEES.
From time to time there may be established by resolution of the Ames City Council, a
schedule of fees to defray the costs of caring for impounded animals. Failure or refusal by the owner
of an impounded animal to pay such fees shall constitute a violation of this section.
Sec. 3.202 DANGEROUS ANIMALS.
(2) Decisions as to whether a particular animal is dangerous shall be made by the city
animal control officer on the basis of reasonable evidence which may include the opinions of experts.
If the animal control officer has reason to believe that the animal threatens the safety of the public or
domestic animals, the animal control officer may enter upon any premises upon which the animal is
kept and remove the animal from those premises to a place of impoundment. Entry onto said premises
shall be only with the consent of the person in lawful control of the premises, or after obtaining a
search warrant pursuant to law.
Sec. 3.205 REMOVAL.
The city animal control officer shall order in writing that an owner shall have an animal
euthanatized within ten(10)days of the order when the animal control officer determines that the owner
cannot keep the animal in compliance with the standards set out elsewhere in this chapter, and that the
animal presents a risk of harm to the public. Failure to comply with the animal control officer's order
shall be a violation of this section.
Sec. 3.301. PURPOSE AND SCOPE.
(2) These regulations shall apply to all those animals of the kinds hereinafter listed, and
any other dangerous wild animals not listed, except those that are expressly exempted. In that regard,
a dangerous wild animal is one that is of a species that,if not properly kept when in captivity, is known
to have caused serious injury, death, or disease to humans, or is manifestly capable of doing so.
Decisions as to whether a certain animal shall be subject to these regulations shall be made by the city
animal control officer on the basis of reasonable evidence that may include the opinion of an expert.
Sec. 3.303. DISPOSITION OF UNCARED FOR ANIMALS.
In the event that the city animal control officer encounters or learns of a dangerous wild
animal being uncared for,or if such an animal is loose upon public or private property, the city animal
control officer shall take the animal into protective custody and reasonable efforts shall be made to
learn the identity of any person or persons, if any, lawfully entitled to have the animal. If no such
person can be found within a reasonable time, the animal shall be disposed of in a humane manner.
Disposition may be to return the animal to the wild if it is known that the animal species is native to
Iowa and that the particular animal is capable of survival if released."
Section Two. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction punishable as
shall be provided under the ordinances of this city.
Section Three. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of
such conflict, if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this 26th day of January , 1999.
A�'YLL)
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk *Ted Tedesco, Mayor