Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 7041 DOG PARK RULES CITY CODE CHANGE ORDINANCE NO. 7041 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY CODE; TO REPEAL AND AMEND ~~ 4-1-16, 4-1-21, 4-1-23; TO CREATE NEW SECTION ~ 4-1-34; TO UPDATE AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY CODE RELATING TO ANIMALS TO INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR DOG PARKS; TO PROVIDE FOR RULES RELATING TO DOG PARKS; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF DOG PARK RULES; TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES AND PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY COMMISSION AND IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE AUTHORITY OF SAME, that the Augusta-Richmond County Code be repealed and amended as follows: SECTION 1. Augusta Richmond-County Code Sections 4-1-16, 4-1-21 and 4-1-23 as set forth in the Augusta- Richmond County, readopted July 10, 2007, are hereby repealed in their entirety and are amended as set forth in "Exhibit A" hereto as Augusta-Richmond County Code Sections 4-1-16, 4-1-21 and 4-1-23. SECTION 2. Augusta Richmond-County Code Section 4-1-34 shall be newly created and adopted as part of the Augusta Richmond-County Code as set forth in "Exhibit B" hereto. SECTION 3. This ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption in accordance with applicable laws. SECTION 4. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Adopted this _lday of April ,2008. 1st Reading March 18, 2008 David As its Seal: CERTIFICATION The undersigned Clerk of Commission, Lena J. Bonner, hereby certifies that the foregoing Ordinance was duly adopted by the Augusta-Richmond County Commission on , 2008 and that such Ordinance have not been modified or rescinded as of the date hereof and the undersigned further certifies that attached hereto is a true copy of the Ordinance which was approved and adopted in the foregoing meeting(s). Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission Published in the Augusta Chronicle. Date: May 10 2008 EXHIBIT A Sec. 4-1-16. Definitions. (a) Domestic animals. Dogs and cats and others that live and breed in a tame condition. (b) Livestock. All animals of the equine, bo-vine, or swine class, including goats, sheep, mules, horses, hogs, cattle, and other grazing animals. (c) Own. To have legal ownership of, or to possess, keep, have custody or control over, or harbor. (d) Owner. Any person, aSSOCIatIOn, firm or corporation, natural or artificial, owning, possessing, keeping, having custody of or control or authority over, or harboring any domestic animal or livestock. (e) Public roads. Any street, road, highway, or way, including the full width of the right-of- way, which is open to the use of the public for vehicular travel. (f) Running at large or straying. Any animal which is not under manual control of a person or in an authorized off-leash Dog Park and which is on any public road or street of Augusta-Richmond County, or on any property not belonging to the owner of the animal, unless by permission of the owner of such property. (g) Urban Services District. That area coterminous with the boundaries of former City of Augusta, Georgia as said boundaries existed as of December 31, 1995. (h) Dog Park. A dog park recognized and operated as a secure place where dogs are allowed to play without a leash, so long as Handlers of such dogs comply with Dog Park Rules. (i) Handler. Anyone, owner or other, responsible for a dog(s) utilizing the off-leash area of a Dog Park. A Handler must be age 18 or older. Sec. 4-1-21. Duty of owner to keep dog and cat under control; stray animals prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any animal to be out of control and/or unattended off the premises of its owner, and/or upon the premises of another person without the permission of such other person. This section shall not apply to those dogs which are actively engaged in hunting or field trials, dogs in off-leash Dog Parks or to those dogs and cats which are participating in animal shows or exhibitions. Sec. 4-1-23. Impounding dogs and cats at large. Any and all dogs and cats found running at large upon public places (other than Dog Parks) or found on the premises of another in violation of this article shall be immediately impounded by the animal control department of Augusta-Richmond County. " . . EXHIBIT B Sec. 4-1-34. Dog Parks and Dog Park Rules Anyone using any Augusta-Richmond County Dog Park must comply with the Dog Park Rules provided in this code section as well as any other Dog Park Rules posted at a particular Dog Park facility. It shall be unlawful for anyone to violate Dog Park Rules. Anyone who fails to comply with Dog Park Rules is subject to removal and suspension from all Dog Parks. In addition, any person or persons failing to comply with any Dog Park Rules shall be guilty of an offense, and upon trial as a misdemeanor and conviction, shall be subject to the penalties provided by Code S 1- 6-1. Dog Park Rules are as follows: (a) Dog Parks shall only be used during normal hours of operation. (b) Handlers who chose to off-leash their dog (at their own risk) may do so in the designated area of the park only. (c) Handlers must be at least 18 years old. (d) Handlers are legally and personally responsible for all damages/injury caused by the dog under their control. (e) All Dog Parks shall be equipped with a double gate entrance, such that dogs cannot sneak out of the Dog Park while Handlers come in and out of the Dog Park. All persons entering a Dog Park Must keep Dog Park gates closed at all times. (f) Handlers MUST clean up after their dog and properly dispose of waste. (g) Dogs must have current rabies vaccinations and wear current tags. (h) Off-leash Dog Park is for dogs, Handlers and those accompanying them; no other use is allowed. (i) No animals other than dogs are permitted in the dog park. G) Dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting any Dog Park. Handlers must carry a leash at all times while in a Dog Park. (k) Handlers must remain in the in the Dog Park and monitor their dog's behavior and stay within view and voice command at all times. (I) Aggressive dog behavior is not allowed. Any dog exhibiting aggressive behavior toward people and other dogs is to be leashed and removed from the park immediately. (m)Handlers must stop their dogs from digging immediately and fill in all holes. (n) Female Dogs "in heat" are not permitted in any Dog Park. (0) Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children should not run with the dogs or chase them while in a Dog Park. Dog Parks are playgrounds for dogs, not children. (p) Each adult Handler may bring a maximum of 2 dogs into a Dog Park at the same time. (q) Puppies under 4 months of age are prohibited from the Dog Parks. (r) Smoking is prohibited in all areas of all Dog Parks. (s) All Food (human and dog) are prohibited except for training treats. (t) All glass containers and bottles are prohibited. (u) Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all times. (v) Grooming of dogs at Dogs Parks is prohibited. (w) All spike collars must be removed prior to entry into any Dog Park. (x) All Augusta-Richmond County Dog Parks are subject to patrol by police authorities, Animal Services and City staff. (y) Dogs are not allowed in the water features, ponds or fountains of any Dog Park, unless it is specifically designated for dogs to use.