2003-206ORDINANCE NO. 2003-206
An Ordinance creating restraint and identification requirements_for cats and prohibiting cats
-from running at large in the City, with penalties as provided in dGO Sections 6. 04.120 and
6. 08. 060.
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JANESVILLE DO ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. Section 6.04.040 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of
Janesville is hereby repealed, and the section number reserved for future use.
SECTION II. Section 6.04.030 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of
Janesville is hereby amended to read as follows:
"6.04.030 Dog and cats--Running at large and principal place of residence--Defined.
A. For dogs and cats "running at large" includes all situations in which a dog or cat is:
1. Not within the principal place of residence of the owner or possessor, and
2. Not tied up, not securely penned, or not securely held by a chain, rope or
leash.
B. All chains, ropes and leashes shall be so placed or attached that they cannot
become entangled with another animal or object, and shall be of sufficient length and in
proportion to the size of the animal to allow the animal proper exercise and convenient access to
food, water and shelter. Such chain, rope or leash shall be located so as to prohibit such animal
from trespassing on public property or private property belonging to others and from causing
harm or danger to persons or other animals. This subsection shall apply when the dog or cat is
secured upon the principal place of residence of its owner or possessor.
C. When a dog or cat is outside the principal place of residence of its owner or
possessor, it shall be within the control of its owner or possessor and shall be attached to a leash
not more than six feet in length, which leash the owner or possessor shall hold or be attached to
as well as the animal. This subsection shall not apply to dogs or cats which are being transported
in or on any type of motor vehicle or to dogs or cats solely within specially and specifically
designated and signed park "Pet Exercise/Training Areas" as defined and regulated by JGO
Section 12.60.210C.
D. The "principal place of residence" for dogs and cats means the entire property of
the owner or possessor."
SECTION III. Section 6.04.060 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of
Janesville is hereby amended to read as follows:
"6.04.060 Dog/Cat -- Running at large prohibited. No owner or possessor of any dog or cat
shall permit the same to run at large in the city at any time. The owner or possessor shall be
deemed to have "permitted" the dog or cat to run at large contrary to this chapter when the
owner's or possessor's dog or cat is found off the owner's or possessor's principal place of
residence and not restrained as defined in this Chapter."
SECTION IV. Section 6.04.070 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of
Janesville is hereby amended to read as follows:
"6.04.070 Dog/Cat--Identification tag required--Running at large. It shall be an additional
and further offense if the owner or possessor permits the dog or cat to run at large within the city
without some identification attached. This identification may be the current license or license
number."
SECTION V. Section 6.08.030 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of
Janesville is hereby amended to read as follows:
"6.08.030 Vicious dogs or dogs/cats in heat--Running at large unlawful. No owner of or
person harboring or keeping a fierce or vicious dog or dog in heat or cat in heat shall allow the
same to run at large at any time within the city limits. Any person or persons violating the
provisions of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, pay a forfeiture and penalties as
provided in Section 6.08.060."
SECTION VI. These Ordinance provisions shall go into effect immediately upon
adoption by the Janesville Common Council, the public health, welfare, safety, peace, tranquility
and good order so requiring.
ADOPTED: January 12, 2004
APPROVED:
Steven E. Sheiffer/City Manager
ATTEST:
Jean Ann Wulf, City Clerk-Treasurer
APPROVED AS t'l- FORM:
A~'s~stant City Attorney
MOTION BY: Steeber
SECOND BY: Murphy
COUNCILMEMBER AYE NAY PASS ABSENT
ADDLE X
MURPHY X
DEGARMO X
STEEBER X
WILLIAMS X
BRIEN X
WELLNITZ X
Proposed by:
Murphy
Prepared by:
Councilmembers Addle and
Assistant City Attorney