All guard dogs within the city shall be registered with the city, and inoculated against rabies as provided by this title. (Ord. 233 Art. X §1, 1975)

(A) No person shall place or maintain any guard dog for the protection of persons or property within the city without first obtaining a permit therefor from the city clerk on or before the first day of March of each year or prior to the placing or keeping of such dog, and in the manner prescribed in this chapter.

(B) No permit shall be issued until a written inspection certificate has been issued by the humane officer certifying approval of the permit. The humane officer's determination as to the issuance or denial of any permit shall be based upon the standards and requirements for guard dogs and for the placement and keeping thereof as established by this chapter. Any certificate of approval shall certify that the guard dog and the premises wherein such dog is to be placed or kept are in compliance with the standards and requirements established by this chapter. Any certificate of denial shall set forth the reasons for such denial.

(C) All permit applications shall be filed upon forms provided by the city clerk, and shall include the following information:

(1) Name, address, and telephone number of the owner or person in charge of the dog and of the responsible person who can be reached during an emergency at times other than regular business hours;

(2) The location where such dog is to be placed or kept;

(3) The approximate length of time the dog will be patrolling the subject area;

(4) The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the premises wherein such dog is to be placed or kept;

(5) The city rabies tag number for the dog;

(6) The humane officer's certificate, which shall be attached to the application; and

(7) Such other information as the city clerk may reasonably require. (Ord. 233 Art. X §2, 1975; Ord. 993 §20, 1993)

All guard dog permits shall be renewed each year between January 1 and March 1. (Ord. 223 Art. X §3, 1975)

The annual permit fee for each guard dog shall be $1.00. (Ord. 233 Art. X §4, 1975)

Upon finding that a permit application or renewal is in order, the city clerk shall issue the appropriate permit. The permit issued shall specify the city rabies tag number of the dog and the location where such dog is to be placed or kept. (Ord. 233 Art. X §5, 1975)

There shall be no permit fee refunds, and permits shall not be transferable to any other location or to any other dog. (Ord. 233 Art. X §6, 1975)

The humane officer may revoke or suspend any guard dog permit issued under this chapter when such permit is found to be in violation of this title or any other applicable law. (Ord. 233 Art. X §9, 1975)

It is unlawful for any person to place or maintain guard dogs in any area of the city for the protection of persons and property, unless the following conditions are met:

(A) The dogs shall be confined within a building or an enclosed area adequate to ensure that they will not escape, or they shall be under the absolute control of a qualified handler at all times;

(B) Such building or enclosure shall have adequate safeguards against accidental entry by children, and against accidental and unintentional entry by any person; and

(C) Warning signs shall be conspicuously posted indicating the presence of guard dogs. Each building or enclosure shall have warning signs posted at every door, gate, or entrance, and at intervals of every 100 feet on a fenced enclosure. Warning signs shall plainly show the telephone number where some person responsible for controlling such dogs can be reached at all times. (Ord. 233 Art. X §7, 1975)