Chapter 9.15
ANIMAL NUISANCES1
Sections:
9.15.010 Common law adoption by reference.
9.15.020 Running at large.
9.15.030 Presence in food establishments.
9.15.040 Female dogs in heat.
9.15.050 Chasing vehicles.
9.15.060 Growling, jumping, etc. – Animals.
9.15.070 Vicious animals.
9.15.080 Noisy animals.
9.15.090 Other nuisances.
9.15.100 Owners shall not allow nuisances.
9.15.110 Dogs in playgrounds.
9.15.120 Exemption for service animals.
9.15.010 Common law adoption by reference.
All public nuisances relating to animal control known at common law or in equity jurisprudence are hereby adopted and made a part of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 92-153, § 30(A), 11-17-92; Ord. No. 90-30, § 20(A), 2-13-90. Code 2001 § 4-146.)
9.15.020 Running at large.
Any dog running at large within the city is a public nuisance. This section does not apply when the dog is on the property of another person with the permission of the owner of the property; on public property designated to allow dog competitions sanctioned by national organizations; at animal shows, exhibitions or organized dog-training classes where at least 24 hours’ advance notice has been given to the animal control authority; or in the designated off-leash area within French Lake Park during designated times.
(Ord. No. 09-592, § 21, 1-6-09; Ord. No. 06-530, § 2, 8-1-06; Ord. No. 05-495, § 1, 7-5-05; Ord. No. 92-153, §§ 2, 30(B), (C), 11-17-92; Ord. No. 90-30, §§ 2(Q), 20(B), 2-13-90. Code 2001 § 4-147.)
Cross reference: Dogs running at large in any parks or recreation areas prohibited, FWRC 4.05.090.
9.15.030 Presence in food establishments.
An animal that enters any place where food is stored, prepared, served or sold to the public, or any other public building or hall, is a public nuisance. This section shall not apply to veterinary offices or hospitals, or to animal shows, exhibitions or organized dog-training classes where at least 24 hours’ advance notice has been given to the animal control authority.
(Ord. No. 09-592, § 22, 1-6-09; Ord. No. 92-153, § 30(D), 11-17-92; Ord. No. 90-30, § 20(D), 2-13-90. Code 2001 § 4-148.)
9.15.040 Female dogs in heat.
A female dog, while in heat, accessible to other male animals, except for controlled and planned breeding, is a public nuisance.
(Ord. No. 09-592, § 23, 1-6-09; Ord. No. 92-153, § 30(E), 11-17-92; Ord. No. 90-30, § 20(E), 2-13-90. Code 2001 § 4-149.)
9.15.050 Chasing vehicles.
An animal which chases, runs after, or jumps at vehicles using the public streets and alleys is a public nuisance.
(Ord. No. 09-592, § 24, 1-6-09; Ord. No. 92-153, § 30(F), 11-17-92; Ord. No. 90-30, § 20(F), 2-13-90. Code 2001 § 4-150.)
9.15.060 Growling, jumping, etc. – Animals.
An animal which on more than one occasion snaps, growls, snarls, jumps upon or otherwise threatens persons lawfully using the public sidewalks, streets, alleys or other public ways is a public nuisance.
(Ord. No. 09-592, § 25, 1-6-09; Ord. No. 92-153, § 30(G), 11-17-92; Ord. No. 90-30, § 20(G), 2-13-90. Code 2001 § 4-151.)
9.15.070 Vicious animals.
Any animal which has exhibited vicious propensities and which constitutes a danger to the safety of persons or property off the premises of its owner or lawfully on such premises is a public nuisance. A vicious animal or animal with vicious propensities which runs at large at any time, or such an animal off the owner’s premises not securely leashed or confined and in the control of a person of suitable age and discretion to control or restrain such an animal, is a public nuisance.
(Ord. No. 09-592, § 26, 1-6-09; Ord. No. 92-153, § 30(H), (I), 11-17-92; Ord. No. 90-30, § 20(H), (I), 2-13-90. Code 2001 § 4-152.)
9.15.080 Noisy animals.
An animal which howls, yelps, whines, barks or makes other oral noises, in such a manner as to disturb any person or neighborhood to an unreasonable degree, is a public nuisance.
(Ord. No. 09-592, § 27, 1-6-09; Ord. No. 92-153, § 30(J), 11-17-92; Ord. No. 90-30, § 20(J), 2-13-90. Code 2001 § 4-153.)
9.15.090 Other nuisances.
The following are declared to be public nuisances:
(1) Any domesticated animal which enters upon another person’s property without the permission of that person;
(2) Animals staked, tethered or kept on public property without prior written consent of the animal control authority;
(3) Animals on any public property or not under the control of the owner or other competent person;
(4) Animals kept, harbored or maintained and known to have a contagious disease unless under the treatment of a licensed veterinarian; or
(5) Animals running in packs.
(Ord. No. 09-592, § 28, 1-6-09; Ord. No. 92-153, § 30(K) – (O), 11-17-92; Ord. No. 90-30, § 20(K) – (O), 2-13-90. Code 2001 § 4-154.)
9.15.100 Owners shall not allow nuisances.
The owner of any animal shall not allow such animal to be or become a public nuisance, do any act deemed a public nuisance, or otherwise violate this chapter.
(Ord. No. 09-592, § 29, 1-6-09. Code 2001 § 4-155.)
9.15.110 Dogs in playgrounds.
Any animal which enters a public playground or school ground without permission from the school is declared to be a public nuisance.
(Ord. No. 09-592, § 30, 1-6-09. Code 2001 § 4-156.)
9.15.120 Exemption for service animals.
This chapter does not apply to service animals.
(Ord. No. 09-592, § 31, 1-6-09. Code 2001 § 4-157.)
Cross references: Nuisances, FWRC Title 7; abatement procedure for certain nuisance animals, FWRC 9.05.240.State law reference: Nuisances, RCW 17.04.010 et seq.