Amending various Sections of Chapter 5 Commonly know as Animals and Fowl

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t { thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) and shall be reported to the County Prosecutor's office for prosecution under I.C. , 35-46-3-8, et seq . (g) Public Property. An owner of an American Pit Bull Terrier or any other potentially dangerous dog shall not cause or permit a person less than eighteen (18) years of age to walk, run, exercise, or transport such dog on public property. Said dog must be muzzled when walking, running, exercising or being transported on public property b/ his owner or agent and must be kept under restraint by a leash. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of an ordinance violation punishable by a fine of not less than thirty-five dollars ($35.00). (h) Notification by Owner/Agent. The owner or agent of any dog required to be licensed under this Article shall notify the South Bend Police Department or the Department of Code Enforcement within four (4) hours if said dog is running at large, has been stolen, or has attacked a person or a domestic animal . A person who violates this subsection is guilty of an ordinance violation punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00). (i) Serious Injury or Death. ( 1 ) If a dog reguired to be licensed under this Article kills or causes serious injury to a person, the owner of said dog is guilty of an ordinance violation and shall be punished ba a fine of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00). "Serious injury" means substantial bodily injury; injury that causes disfigurement, impairment of health, or impairment of a bodily part which is caused b/ the dog biting and which is medically documented. "Serious injury" shall not mean a nip from a dog. ( 2) If a dog reguired to be licensed under this Article kills or causes serious injury to a person, the ownership of said dog, shall be temporarily forfeited with the dog being humanely impounded, if possible, and held pending disposition of the legal procedures institued by the City for such violation. The owner shall be responsible for the costs of caring for said dog during the period of impoundment including, but not limited to, costs of boarding and veterinary treatment if necessary. (3) Upon conviction, or at the owner's request prior thereto, the owner's right to possession, title, custody or care of said dog may be permanently forfeited and said dog shall be euthanized in a humane manner. (4) The owner of a dog who kills or causes serious injury to a person who is found guilty of criminal trespass as heretofore defined shall not be subject to the violation provisions set forth herein. --- Sec. 5-29 Article to be More Restrictive. (a) Due to the overriding public health and safety concerns related to the American Pit Bull Terrier or any other potentially dangerous dogs , the provisions of this Article are purposely intended to be reasonable regulations yet may be more restrictive than regulations found in other sections of this Chapter . — — L N T f „ • _ _