Chapter 4
ANIMALS AND FOWL
Sec. 4-1. Running at large prohibited.
It shall be unlawful, and the same is hereby declared a nuisance, for the owner, keeper, custodian or possessor of any dog, horse, or any four (4) legged animal or domestic fowl to permit such animal or fowl to roam or run at large in the Town.
Sec. 4-2. Leashes, muzzles, etc., required.
It shall be unlawful, and the same is hereby declared to be a nuisance, for the owner, keeper, custodian or possessor of any such animal or fowl to permit or take such animal or fowl upon any public highway, street, alley or ground unless such animal or fowl shall be securely and effectually controlled by means of a leash, muzzle, halter, bridle, collar or other device as the size and type of animal or fowl shall dictate.
Sec. 4-3. Keeping, harboring, etc., noisy animals or fowl prohibited.
It shall be unlawful, and the same is hereby declared to be a nuisance, for any person to keep, harbor or possess any animal or fowl, which by loud and frequent barking, howling, yelping or other animal noises disturbs the peace and quiet or which shall disturb or interrupt other persons in the full use and enjoyment of their property.
Sec. 4-4. Capture, destruction of animals at large authorized.
The Porter County Animal Control Officer or any Police Officer of the Town shall have the right to capture any animal or fowl found running at large or which is insecurely or ineffectually controlled upon any public street, highway, alley or ground. The destruction of any animal or fowl shall be in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the Porter County Animal Control Department and pursuant to any contract between the Town and the Porter County Animal Control.
Sec. 4-5. Confinement, observation of animals biting persons.
Any animal or fowl that bites or inflicts injury upon a human being shall be confined and observed for a period of time established by procedures of the Porter County Animal Control.
Sec. 4-6. Impoundment of animals and fowl captured running at large; notice to owners; registry of impounded animals
The Porter County Animal Control Officer or Police Department shall impound any such animal or fowl found running or roaming at large and shall immediately give notice of such impoundment to the owner if known and if such owner can be found. A record of animals captured by the Police Department shall be maintained providing a description of such animal and location where animal was found or captured.
Sec. 4-7. Redemption of impounded animals and fowl.
While any animal or fowl is being held at the Police Department, pursuant to section 4-6 of this chapter, the owner thereof upon proof of ownership, immunization and animal license tag necessary under the laws of the State for keeping and possessing of such animal has been paid and are current, may redeem it. However, if such animal or fowl has been transferred to the custody of the Porter County Animal Control pursuant to any contract then the conditions of release of such animal or fowl shall be established by the rules established by that agency.
Secs. 4-8 - 4-9. Reserved
Sec. 4-10. Nuisance declared.
It shall be unlawful, and the same is hereby declared to be a nuisance, for the owner, keeper, custodian or possessor of any animal or fowl to allow the same to defecate or leave its waste on any public or private property other that the property of its owner. Any person as previously described who permits any animal or fowl to defecate or leave its waste upon an unauthorized place shall be required to immediately remove the excrement, or be subject to the penalties contained in Section 1-13 of this Code.
Sec. 4-11. Keeping of certain animals prohibited.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, or maintain any other types of animals not specifically mentioned in this section other than the common types of pets such as parakeets, canaries, turtles, tropical fish, hamsters, gerbils, cats, and dogs.
B. No person shall keep or permit to be kept any animal that is commonly known as a wild animal as a pet. For purposes of this section, a "wild animal" is one that is generally known to roam at large in regions of its origin, and would not be harbored by any person were it not for said animal's capture.
C. No person shall keep or permit to be kept any dangerous or vicious animal as a pet. For purposes of this section a "dangerous or vicious animal" shall mean any animal that constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals, or any animal that is known to have attacked or injured a person or other animal on a previous occasion, or any animal that has known vicious propensities attributed to its species.
D. It shall be unlawful and the same is hereby declared to be a nuisance for any person to keep, harbor, or possess any farm animals in the Town on any premises which has open land of less than one-half (0.5) acre in lot area, whether or not the premises is also used as a residence, this section shall not apply to 4-H projects. For purposes of this section "farm animals" shall mean cattle, cows, horses, sheep, swine, lambs, goats, poultry, rabbits, and any other animals generally considered as indigenous to agriculture. Sec. 4-12. Racing pigeons.
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 4-11 of the Code, racing pigeons shall be allowed to be kept in the Town in strict accordance with the following guidelines:
A. A racing pigeon is a bird that is a member of the family Columbidae, which through selective past breeding has developed the distinctive physical and mental characteristics as to enable it to return to its home after having been released a considerable distance therefrom, and which is accepted as such by the American Racing Pigeon Union, Inc., or the International Federation of Racing Pigeon Fanciers. Also, commonly known as racing homer, homing pigeon, or carrier pigeon.
B. There shall be no more than seventy-five (75) racing pigeons kept on any parcel of land one-half (1/2) acre or larger.
C. There shall be no more than twenty (20) racing pigeons on any parcel of land less than one-half (1/2) acre in size.
D. The racing pigeons are not allowed to be set outside their home structure during the day or night except for two (2) short exercise periods which shall not take place if the pigeons have been fed without four (4) hours prior to the exercise period.
E. Racing pigeons shall be kept in a loft of sufficient size and design and constructed of such material that it can be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, which at least one (1) square foot of floor space in any loft for each pigeon kept therein. Additionally, all pigeons shall be fed within the confines of the loft.
F. Racing pigeons shall not be permitted to perch or set on property of others.
G. All feed for said pigeons shall be stored in containers so as to protect against intrusion by rodents and other vermin.
H. The loft shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and in compliance with all applicable health regulations of the State of Indiana, Porter County and the Town.
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