Chapter 6.05
DOGS

Sections:

6.05.010    Licensing of dogs within city limits.

6.05.020    Charge.

6.05.030    Register.

6.05.040    Running at large.

6.05.050    Nuisance.

6.05.060    Violation of WMC 6.05.030 or 6.05.040.

6.05.070    Public streets.

6.05.080    Muzzled dogs.

6.05.090    Custody of animals.

6.05.100    Fines.

6.05.010 Licensing of dogs within city limits.

All dogs, greater than three months of age, kept, owned or harbored within the town of Whitestown, Indiana, shall be licensed annually by the owner thereof with the clerk-treasurer of the town. [Ord. 2006-26; Ord. 1984-05 § 10. Prior code Title 3, Art. 1, Ch. 1, § 1]

6.05.020 Charge.

The charge for said license shall be set by the town board, the same to be paid by the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and annually thereafter. [Ord. 2006-26; Ord. 1984-05 § 10. Prior code Title 3, Art. 1, Ch. 1, § 2]

6.05.030 Register.

The clerk-treasurer shall keep a current register of said license and issue tags to the owner which shall be attached to a collar worn by the dog. The clerk-treasurer shall forward the current register to the [chief of police] within 14 days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and annually thereafter. [Ord. 2008-11 § 5; Ord. 2006-26; Ord. 2002-02; Ord. 1984-05 § 10. Prior code Title 3, Art. 1, Ch. 1, § 3]

6.05.040 Running at large.

It shall be unlawful to permit any dog to run at large within the town limits of Whitestown, Indiana, and the permitting of the same is hereby declared to be a nuisance. [Ord. 2006-26; Ord. 1984-05 § 10. Prior code Title 3, Art. 1, Ch. 1, § 4]

6.05.050 Nuisance.

It shall be unlawful to permit any dog within the town limits of Whitestown, Indiana, to disturb the peace and quiet of the immediate surrounding neighborhood by constant barking. The permitting of the same is hereby declared to be a nuisance. [Ord. 2006-26; Ord. 1984-05 § 10. Prior code Title 3, Art. 1, Ch. 1, § 5]

6.05.060 Violation of WMC 6.05.030 or 6.05.040.

The owner of any animal found to be unlicensed in violation of WMC 6.05.030, running at large in violation of WMC 6.05.040, or creating a nuisance in violation of WMC 6.05.050 shall be fined $100.00. Each incident wherein an animal is found to be running at large in violation of WMC 6.05.040 shall constitute a separate violation of this chapter. An owner shall have three business days after receiving notice of violation of WMC 6.05.030 in which to license and tag its animal thereafter; each additional day that the animal remains unlicensed and untagged constitutes a separate violation. [Ord. 2006-26; Ord. 1984-05 § 10. Prior code Title 3, Art. 1, Ch. 1, § 6]

6.05.070 Public streets.

In the event any dog is on the streets of the town of Whitestown, Indiana, it shall be on a leash and under control of its owner. [Ord. 2006-26; Ord. 1984-05 § 10. Prior code Title 3, Art. 1, Ch. 1, § 7]

6.05.080 Muzzled dogs.

In the event any dog has a practice of escaping from his owner’s custody or biting people, the owner shall keep a muzzle on said dog at all times. In the event any such muzzled dog is found running loose on the streets, such dog shall be taken into custody and the owner notified. If such dog is not claimed by the owner within three days after being notified, said dog shall be disposed of in accordance with the rules approved by the town board. All cost associated with custody, care and disposition of said animal shall be borne by its owner. [Ord. 2006-26; Ord. 1984-05 § 10. Prior code Title 3, Art. 1, Ch. 1, § 8]

6.05.090 Custody of animals.

In the event there is a violation of WMC 6.05.080, the same may be prosecuted on affidavit filed by the complaining party. Upon receiving such complaint, the [chief of police] is authorized to take such dog into custody. The [chief of police] shall keep such dog in his custody until the owner is notified and the actions thereunder are remedied by proper steps, including but not limited to, the muzzling of said dog. Costs of capture and containment shall be itemized by the chief of police and provided to the town judge which costs shall be borne by the owner of said dog. [Ord. 2008-11 § 5; Ord. 2006-26; Ord. 1984-05 § 10. Prior code Title 3, Art. 1, Ch. 1, § 9]

6.05.100 Fines.

In the event any person violates any provision of this chapter, he shall be fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00. All proceeds derived from any violation of this chapter shall be deposited in a fund to be used solely for the purpose of training and equipping a humane officer; housing, caring, and if needed, humanely disposing of unclaimed or vicious animals. [Ord. 2006-26; Ord. 1984-05 § 10. Prior code Title 3, Art. 1, Ch. 1, § 10]