HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-032 Possession of Pit Bull Dogs ORDINANCE NO. 2004- 32
AN ORDINANCE relating to public safety and morals. amending Sections 6 18 010
and 6 18 025 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code to provide more
restrictive control over the unlawful possession of pit bull dogs
within the City limits
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1 Section 6 18 010 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code is hereby
amended to read as follows.
"6.18.010 Definitions.
"Pit bull dog" means any : _ _ • - _ _
be-a pit bull terrier "Pit bull terrier" means any American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire
bull terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog or any
mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the breed of American
pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire
terrier so as to be identifiable as partially of the breed American pit bull terrier,
Staffordshire bull terrier, American bulldog or American Staffordshire terrier "
Section 2. Section 6 18 010 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code is hereby
amended to read as follows.
"6.18.025 Impounding pit bull dogs.
A. Whenever a pit bull dog is found within the city of Yakima, the owner shall
be notified in writing of the prohibitions contained in this chapter and of the procedure
required to redeem the animal Such notice shall be served upon the owner or, if the
owner is not present, then upon any person of suitable age and discretion residing at
owner's residence. Whenever a pit bull dog is found within the city of Yakima, the
animal may be temporarily detained by city of Yakima animal control for the purpose of
transporting the animal and having a microchip implanted in the animal for future
identification Such detention shall not exceed seventy -two hours, provided that, if the
owner is not available to receive the animal, the animal may be held for such longer
period as may be necessary to ensure the safety of the animal and the public. The
owner shall be responsible for the cost of microchip implantation and any kenneling
fees.
B. The owner must permanently remove the pit bull dog from the city of
Yakima within thirty-days forty eight hours of issuance of the notice required by this
section Failure to remove a pit bull dog within forty eight hours of such
notice shall result in the immediate impoundment of the animal Whenever any pit bull
dog is found within the city of Yakima and the owner has previously had the notice
required by this section, the dog may immediately be taken up and impounded by such
officer charged with the enforcement of this chapter Pit bull dogs impounded under this
subsection may be redeemed or adopted pursuant to the provisions of Section
6.20110 of the Yakima Municipal Code."
(j c) ord /pit bull impound /page 1 of 2
Section 3 This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its
passage, approval, and publication as provided by law and by the City Charter
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved this 1St day of
June ,2004
ATTEST a - a
aul P George, Mayor
_61}E_e-vt„ ,J 64i_vzh_)
City Clerk
Publication Date 6 -4 -2004
Effective Date 7-4 -2004
(jc) ord /pit bull impound /page 2 Oft
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No.
For Meeting of June 1, 2004
ITEM TITLE: Public Hearing and Consideration of an Ordinance amending the
Animal Control and the Pit -Bull Ordinances of the Yakima Municipal
Code Chapters 6.18, 6.20 and 6.22 and Removing Office Support for
Animal ontrol from Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 1 18 015
SUBMITTED Blf : - lam R. Cook, Director of Community and Economic
Development Department
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Doug Maples, Code Administration and Planning
Manager (509) 575 -6121
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
This action would amend the present Animal Control and Pit -Bull regulations found in the
Yakima Municipal Code (YMC) Chapters 6.20, and 6.18 respectively. In addition, YMC
Chapter 6.22 for Animal License would be modified and updated. The Public Hearing will
provide an opportunity for testimony to be given by the public to the City Council regarding
the proposed changes.
in addition, there was a need to rectify the YMC 1 18.015 and remove requiring the City
Clerk to provide office support for animal control.
1\ At the May 4, 2004 meeting, the Public Safety Committee City Council members
unanimously supported and recommended changes to the full City Council.
The major changes included:
• Removal of the age requirement to determine when a pit-bull is a pit-bull
• Notification to Pit -Bull dog owners changed from 30 -days to 48 -hours
• Redemption of dogs and impound fee changes
• Clarification of the animal cruelty section
• Modification to the Civil infraction penalties section•
• Updating the dog license fees
• New section for animal control officers to issue citations
Resolution Ordinance X Other (Specify) Limited Commission Oath
Contract Mail to (name and address):
Phone.
Funding Source
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: % /` s-a City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the modification to the Animal Control and Pit -Buil
Ordinances of the Yakima Municipal Code Chapters 6.18, 6.20, 6.22 and
1.18.015
BOARD /COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
COUNCIL ACTION : totem (A) Ordinance Passed OddinanceNg.2004 -31
Item (B) Ordinance Passed Ordinance No. 2004 -32
Item (c) Ordinance Passed Ordinance No. 2004 -33
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