4-1-1 – Definitions
4-1-2 – Immunization
4-1-3 – At Large Prohibited
4-1-4 – Animal Nuisances
4-1-5 – Impounding
4-1-6 – Dangerous Animals
4-1-7 – Keeping a Vicious Dog or Cat
4-1-7 – Kennel Dogs


For use in this chapter the following terms are defined as follows:

  1. The term “dogs” shall mean animals of the canine species whether altered or not.
  2. The term “at large” shall mean any animal found off the premises of the owner and not under the control of a competent person, restrained within  a motor vehicle, housed in a veterinary hospital or kennel, on a leash or “at heel” beside a competent person and obedient to that person’s command.
  3. The term “owner” shall mean any person owning, keeping, sheltering or harboring an animal.


All dogs six (6) months or older shall be vaccinated against rabies. It shall be a violation of this Ordinance for any dog to not be vaccinated against rabies. A tag showing evidence of proper vaccination shall be worn by every dog when not confined. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 351.33)


No owner or person having custody of an animal shall permit such animal to run at
large. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 351.41)


It shall be unlawful for any person to permit an animal under such person’s control
or within such person’s custody to commit a nuisance. An animal shall be considered
a nuisance if it:

  1. Damages, soils, defiles or defecates on private property other than the owner’s
    and properly disposed of by the owner.
  2. Causes unsanitary, dangerous or offensive conditions.
  3. Causes a disturbance by excessive barking or other noisemaking or chases vehicles,
    or molests, attacks or interferes with persons or other domestic animals on public
    property. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 657.1)


  1. Any dog found at large in violation of Sections 4-1-3 or 4-1-4 of this chapter shall be seized and impounded, or, at the discretion of the Mayor, the owner may be served a summons to appear before a proper court to answer charges made thereunder.
  2. Owners of animals shall be notified within two (2) days that upon payment of actual costs, including transportation and other related costs, plus cost of food and care In a reasonable amount, the dog will be returned.  If the impounded dogs are not recovered by their owners within seven (7) days after notice, the dogs shall be disposed of as provided in Section 717B.4 Code of Iowa


  1. Dangerous Animals Prohibited. No person shall keep, shelter, or harbor for any purpose
    within the City limits, a dangerous animal.
  2. Definitions. A dangerous animal is:
    1. Any animal which is not naturally tame or gentle, and which is of a wild nature
      or disposition, and which is capable of killing, inflicting serious injury upon,
      or causing disease among human beings or domestic animals, and having known tendencies as a species to do so.
    2. The following are animals which shall be deemed to be dangerous animals per se:

      (1) Lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cougars, lynx, and bobcats;

      (2) Wolves, coyotes, and foxes;

      (3) Badgers, wolverines, weasels, skunks and mink;

      (4) Raccoons;

      (5) Bears;

      (6) Monkeys, chimpanzees, and apes;

      (7) Alligators and crocodiles;

      (8) Scorpions; gila monsters;

      (9) Snakes that are venomous or constrictors;

      (10) Pit bulls meaning any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breed (more so than any other breed), or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds.

             (11) Any cross breed of such animals which have similar characteristics of the animals specified above.

C.Any animals declared to be dangerous by the City Council.

3. Dangerous Animals Exceptions. The keeping of dangerous animals shall not be prohibited in the following circumstances:

a.The keeping of dangerous animals in a public zoo, bona fide educational or medical institution, humane society, or museum where they are kept as live specimens for
the public to view, or for the purpose of instruction, research or study, and has
obtained the written approval of the City Council.


It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to harbor or keep a vicious animal within the City. A vicious animal is deemed so when it shall have attacked or bitten any person without provocation, or when the propensity to attack or bite persons shall exist and such propensity is known or ought reasonably be known to the owner thereof.

4-1-8 – KENNEL DOGS.

Kennel dogs which are kept or raised solely for the bona fide purpose of sale and which are kept under constant restraint are not subject to the provisions of this ordinance

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