Any person or organization which falls into one of the following subsections shall be permitted to own, harbor or have charge, custody, control or possession of any animal described in Section 618.51, provided he/she has first secured a permit under Section 618.57; provided further that owners, keepers or harborers of "pit bull dogs" shall also be required to register their animals in accordance with the provisions of this section and Chapter 618 of the Springboro Municipal Code:

     (a)      The keeping of such animals in zoos, bona fide educational or medical institutions, museums or any other place where they are kept as live specimens for the public to view, or for the purpose of instruction or study.

     (b)      The keeping of such animals for exhibition to the public of such animals by a circus, carnival or other exhibit or show.

     (c)      The keeping of such animals in a bona fide, licensed veterinary hospital for treatment.

     (d)      Commercial establishments possessing such animals for the purpose of sale or display.

     (e)      The keeping of a registered pit bull as defined in Section 618.51(a)(3). The keeping of such dogs, however, shall be subject to the following mandatory requirements:

          (1)      Leash and muzzle.  No person shall permit a registered pit bull dog to go outside its kennel or pen unless such dog is securely leashed with a leash no longer than four (4) feet in length. No person shall permit a pit bull dog to be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen unless a person is in physical control of the leash.  Such dogs may not be leashed to inanimate objects such as trees, posts, buildings, etc. In addition, all pit bull dogs on a leash outside the animal’s kennel shall be muzzled by a muzzling device sufficient to prevent such dog from biting persons or other animals.

          (2)      Confinement.  All registered pit bull dogs shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or kennel, except when leashed and muzzled as above provided. Such pen, kennel or structure shall have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. All structures used to confine registered pit bull dogs shall be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure.  Such structure shall have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen or the sides of the pen shall be embedded in the ground no less than two (2) feet. All structures erected to house pit bull dogs shall comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City. All such structures shall be adequately lighted and ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.

          (3)      Confinement indoors.  No pit bull dog may be kept on a porch, patio or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such building on its own volition. In addition, no such animal may be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen windows or screen doors are the only obstacle preventing the dog from exiting the structure.

          (4)      Signs. All owners, keepers or harborers of registered pit bull dogs within the City shall within ten (10) days of the effective date of this section display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words "Beware of Dog". In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on the kennel or pen of such animal.

          (5)      Insurance.  All owners, keepers or harborers of registered pit bull dogs shall within ten (10) days of the effective date of this section provide proof to the City of public liability insurance in a single incident amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for bodily injury to or death of any person or persons or for damage to property owned by any persons which may result from the ownership, keeping or maintenance of such animal. At the time of initial registration the owner, keeper or harborer shall present proof to the City of the required insurance. At the time of subsequent registration the owner, keeper or harborer shall show proof of insurance for the present registration period and proof that there was insurance coverage throughout the period of the prior registration year. In the event such liability insurance is canceled, lapsed, or for any other reason becomes nonenforceable, such owner, keeper or harborer shall be in violation of the provisions of this section and subject to the penalties provided herein.

          (6)      Identification photographs.  All owners, keepers or harborers of registered pit bull dogs shall within ten (10) days of the effective date of this section provide to the City two (2) color photographs of the registered animal clearly showing the color and approximate size of the animal.

          (7)      Reporting requirements.  All owners, keepers or harborers of registered pit bull dogs shall within ten (10) days of the incident, report the following information in writing to the City as required hereinafter:

               A.      The removal from the City or death of a registered pit bull dog;

               B.      The birth of offspring of a registered pit bull dog;

               C.      The new address of the registered pit bull owner should the owner move.

          (8)      Animals born of registered dogs.  All offspring born of pit bull dogs registered within the City shall be registered with the City within six (6) weeks of the birth of such animal.

          (9)      Failure to comply.  It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper or harborer of a pit bull dog registered with the City to fail to comply with the requirements and conditions set forth in this chapter. Any dog found to be the subject of a violation of this chapter shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment. In addition, failure to comply will result in the revocation of the license of such animal and the permit providing for the keeping of such animal resulting in the immediate removal of the animal from the City.

               (Ord. 90-2. Passed 1-4-90.)