Chapter 6.02
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
6.02.020 Consistency with other chapters.
6.02.030 Keeping of numerous dogs and cats in the city.
6.02.050 Cleaning up after pets.
6.02.060 Running at large prohibited.
6.02.010 Purpose.
It is declared the public policy of the city to secure and maintain such levels of animal control as will protect human health and safety, and to the greatest degree practicable to prevent injury to property and cruelty to animal life. To this end, it is the purpose of this title to provide a means of licensing dogs, registering animal shelters, kennels, groomers, and pet shops and controlling errant animal behavior so that it shall not become a public nuisance and to prevent cruelty to animals. (Ord. 936 § 1, 2013: Ord. 696 § 1, 1997. Formerly 6.04.010)
6.02.020 Consistency with other chapters.
The city has adopted the animal control, licensing, and enforcement regulations and procedures of Spokane County, set forth in Chapter 5.04 of the Spokane County Code, as existing or hereafter amended, and codified in Chapter 6.06 DPMC, as the animal control and enforcement regulations for the city. In the event any provision in this DPMC Title 6 is inconsistent or conflicts with any provision set forth in Chapter 6.06 DPMC, the provisions in Chapter 6.06 DPMC shall be controlling. (Ord. 936 § 1, 2013)
6.02.030 Keeping of numerous dogs and cats in the city.
A. The keeping of more than the number of dogs and cats as described in Chapter 6.06 DPMC, as existing or hereafter amended, in the city for a considerable period of time detracts from and, in many instances, is detrimental to the healthful and comfortable life for which such areas were created.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to keep more than the number of dogs and cats authorized by Chapter 6.06 DPMC, as existing or hereafter amended, in the city, with the exception that a litter of pups or a litter of kittens, or a portion of a litter may be kept for a period of time not exceeding six months from birth. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any establishment wherein dogs or cats are kept for breeding, sale, sporting purposes or boarding; provided, that such an establishment complies with city land use and zoning regulations and possesses a city business license and kennel permit where applicable. (Ord. 936 § 1, 2013: Ord. 696 § 1, 1997. Formerly 6.04.030)
6.02.040 Barking dogs.
It is unlawful for any person knowingly to keep or harbor any dog which habitually barks, howls or yelps to the great discomfort of the peace and quiet of the surrounding neighborhood, or in such manner as to materially and unreasonably disturb or annoy persons in the neighborhood who are of ordinary sensibilities. (Ord. 936 § 1, 2013: Ord. 696 § 1, 1997. Formerly 6.04.040)
6.02.050 Cleaning up after pets.
A. No person shall cause or allow any pen, yard, or kennel run or other structure wherein any dog may be kept to become unclean or unsanitary because of the failure to remove and dispose of filth, trash or excrement of any kind.
B. Any person owning, keeping, possessing or harboring any dog or cat shall promptly remove and dispose of all feces left by the dog or cat on any public property and on any private property not owned by such person or lawfully occupied by such person. (Ord. 936 § 1, 2013: Ord. 806 § 1, 2004; Ord. 696 § 1, 1997. Formerly 6.04.050)
6.02.060 Running at large prohibited.
A. It is unlawful for any person owning or possessing any dog for such dog to run at large in the city. For the purposes of this chapter, “running at large” is defined to be the presence of a dog in any public street, alley, park or other public ground, except upon the premises of the owner or a dog running without control or beyond the control of his or her owner.
B. A dog shall not be considered to be running at large if it is on a leash and under control of a person physically able to control it. (Ord. 936 § 1, 2013: Ord. 696 § 1, 1997. Formerly 6.04.060)
6.02.070 Penalties.
Except as otherwise provided, violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be classified as a civil infraction and punished as set forth in DPMC 6.06.010, as existing or hereafter amended. In the event no specific penalty is identified in DPMC 6.06.010, the civil infraction penalty shall be as set forth in DPMC 1.16.020. (Ord. 936 § 1, 2013: Ord. 823, 2005; Ord. 806 § 2, 2004. Formerly 6.04.070)