5. Keeping Barking Dogs & Crying Cats

SECTION

10-501. Harboring.
10-502. Petitions complaining of vicious or barking dogs or crying cats.

10-501. Harboring. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to keep or harbor any dog which habitually cries or howls to the great discomfort of the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, or in such manner as to materially disturb or annoy persons in the neighborhood who are of ordinary sensibilities. Such dogs and cats are hereby declared to be a public nuisance. (1996 Code, § 10-501)

10-502. Petitions complaining of vicious or barking dogs or crying cats.
(1) Whenever any person shall complain to the Police Department that a dog which habitually barks, howls or yelps or a cat which habitually cries or howls is being kept by any person in the City, the Police Department shall notify the owner of said dog or cat that a complaint has been received and that the person should take whatever steps necessary to alleviate the howling, yelping or crying.
(2) If the warning given to the person alleged to be keeping a dog or cat as set forth in (1) above is ineffective, then a verified complaint of at least two (2) citizens not from the same family may be presented to the Police Department, alleging that a vicious dog or a dog which habitually barks, howls or yelps, or a cat which habitually cries or howls is being kept by any person within the City. The Police Department shall inform the owner of such dog or cat that said petition has been received and shall cite the owner of the dog or cat for the violation alleged in said petition. (1996 Code, § 10-502)