7.20.025 Regulation of classified animals.
A. The chief animal care and regulation officer shall have the discretion to increase or decrease a classified animal’s restrictions based upon relevant circumstances.
B. In addition to other requirements of this chapter, the owner of a classified animal shall comply with the following redemption conditions:
1. Level 1 Classification. Whenever an animal classified as Level 1 is on the owner’s property outside the owner’s home, the animal shall be restrained by a physical restraint so the animal cannot reach any public sidewalk, public right-of-way, or adjoining property and shall be located so as not to interfere with public access to the owner’s property.
2. Level 2 Classification. Animals classified as Level 2:
a. Shall be confined in a location which may include a secure enclosure or under control by leash only.
3. Level 3 and 4 Classifications. Animals classified as Level 3 or 4:
a. Shall be kept in the owner’s home or when outside the home shall be confined in a secure enclosure. When the animal is not on the owner’s property, it shall be controlled by leash and muzzled; and
b. It is a violation of this subsection to breed, sell, exchange, gift or abandon an animal classified as Level 3 or 4.
4. Level 5 Classification. Animals classified as Level 5 shall be euthanized. A hearing officer may issue an order suspending the animal owner’s right to adopt an animal from the animal care and regulation shelter and may set conditions for regaining that right.
a. A hearing shall be held before the hearing officer, pursuant to WMC Chapter 7.08, when an animal is recommended as Level 5 classification by the chief animal care and regulation officer. If the animal is determined to be a Level 5 classification, it shall be humanely destroyed. The animal owner may waive their right to a hearing before the hearing officer and surrender the animal to the chief animal care and regulation officer. Once surrendered the animal shall be humanely euthanized at the convenience of the city. The owner of the surrendered animal will not be responsible for any fees, costs, or expenses incurred for the impoundment for the animal beyond the date of a signed release waiver.
b. Animals recommended for Level 5 classification pursuant to this chapter shall be impounded and held at the animal care and regulation shelter until the hearing before a hearing officer. The animal owner is responsible for all costs, fees, and expenses pursuant to WMC 7.20.040(D).
c. It is unlawful to own an animal classified as Level 5, pursuant to this chapter. Violation of this provision is an infraction.
C. Microchip, Immunization, and Registration Requirements. To ensure correct identification, all classified animals shall be implanted with a permanent microchip to identify the animal and its owner. All animals shall be vaccinated with a state of Alaska approved rabies vaccine and all vaccinations appropriate to species. In addition, all dogs and cats shall be registered in accordance with WMC 7.16.050.
D. Insurance. The chief animal care and regulation officer may require that the owner of an animal classified as Level 4 furnish proof of liability insurance in the amount of at least $100,000 for bodily injury or death of any person or domestic animal. If required, the policy shall be on file in the animal care and regulation office and shall be required to be kept current throughout the ownership of the animal. Failure to maintain the insurance is cause for the animal to be immediately impounded. If proof of insurance is not submitted within seven calendar days after impoundment, the animal shall be forfeited to the city.
E. Warning Sign. The owner or custodian of a Level 3 or 4 classified animal shall display in a prominent place on the premises where the animal is kept, a sign, easily readable by the public, using the words “Dangerous Animal.” The sign and its location must be approved by the chief animal care and regulation officer.
F. Spay or Neuter. The owner of an animal classified as a Level 3 or 4 shall have the animal spayed or neutered at the owner’s expense prior to having the animal released by the chief animal care and regulation officer.
G. Control by Leash. A Level 1, 2, 3, or 4 classified animal shall only be off the property of the owner or custodian if it is restrained by leash, under the direct control of a responsible adult, and muzzled if classified as a Level 3 or 4. The strength and length of the leash and strength and type of muzzle shall be approved by the chief animal care and regulation officer.
H. Notice of Disposal or Escape. The owner or custodian of an animal classified as Level 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 pursuant to this title shall:
1. Notify the animal care and regulation office immediately if the animal escapes, is unconfined without control of a competent person, is lost, attacks another human being or animal, or dies.
I. Change in Location. The owner shall notify the chief animal care and regulation officer of any change in the physical location of an animal classified under this section, and the new location shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the conditional release order.
1. The release conditions shall apply to an animal being boarded at a location other than the approved location.
2. The notification to the chief animal care and regulation officer set forth in this section shall not apply to temporary moves of the animal for the purposes of providing veterinarian care.
3. Upon notice to the chief animal care and regulation officer, the subject animal may be impounded until the owner complies with all requirements of the conditional release order, or until such time as the chief animal care and regulation officer schedules a forfeiture hearing pursuant to WMC 7.32.030. In the event the animal is impounded, the owner shall be responsible for all costs and fees associated with the impoundment. Violation of this subsection is an infraction. (Ord. 09-69(AM) § 6, 2009)