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067 of 1998 - Amending 8.04.390 & 15.08.070 Unleashed Dogs0 98-1 0 97-5 SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE No. 67 of 1998 (unleashed dogs) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 8.04.390 AND 15.08.070, SALT LAKE CITY CODE, RELATING TO ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE. WHEREAS, Salt Lake City had formerly completely prohibited any animals from running at large within the city and had imposed penalties for violations of that prohibition; and WHEREAS, at the request of various dog owners within the city and in the interests of determining whether limited and carefully controlled exceptions to the prohibition on animals running at large within the city might be appropriate, the city council has recently experimented for limited periods by allowing dogs to run off leash with owner or custodian present in areas of parks and public places specifically designated by the city and clearly identified by signage, so long as such dogs remained in control of the dog's owner; and WHEREAS, the city has found, generally, that the aforementioned experiment has been successful and that owners of dogs running off leash in the previously experimental area have 1 acted responsibly, have kept their dogs under control, and have cleaned up after their dogs; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the city council that a permanent ordinance now be enacted establishing specified areas where dogs may run off leash in accordance with the conditions set forth herein; now, therefore, Be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah: SECTION 1. That Section 8.04.390, Salt Lake City Code, relating to animals running at large be, and the same hereby is, amended to read as follows: 8.04.390. Animals running at large. A. With the exception set forth in subparagraph B of this section, it is unlawful for the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of any animal to allow such animal at any time to run at large. The owner or person charged with responsibility for an animal found running at large shall be strictly liable for a violation of this section, regardless of the precautions taken to prevent the escape of the animal and regardless of whether or not such owner or person knows that the animal is running at large. Any person violating any provision of this section shall be deemed guilty of an infraction and may not 2 be imprisoned, but shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred ninety-nine dollars. B. Dogs shall be permitted to run off -leash only in areas of parks and public spaces specifically authorized by city ordinance, specifically designated by the Director of Public Services as "off leash areas," and clearly identified by signage as such. Said areas shall be as follows: (1) designated areas of Memory Grove Park known as the Freedom Trail Section, (2) the Municipal Ball Park, also known as Herman Franks Park, except for the fenced youth baseball diamonds and playground area, and (3) designated areas of Jordan Park. While in such areas dogs shall at all times remain under control of the dog's owner or custodian. "Under control" means that a dog will respond on command to its owner or custodian. SECTION 2. That Section 15.08.070, Salt Lake City Code, relating to interference with animals or fowl be, and the same hereby is, amended to read as follows: 15.08.070 Interference with animals or fowl. A. Unlawful Acts. No person shall annoy, injure, release from confinement, or in any manner interfere with any swan, duck, goose, bird or animal, the property of the city. 3 B. Unleashed Dogs. (1) With the exception set forth in subparagraph (2) of this subsection B, no person shall suffer or permit any dog to enter or remain in a public park or playground, unless it be led by a leash of suitable strength, not more than six feet in length. (2) Dogs shall be permitted to run off -leash only in areas of parks and public spaces specifically authorized by city ordinance, specifically designated by the Director of Public Services as "off leash areas," and clearly identified by signage as such. Said areas shall be as follows: (a) designated areas of Memory Grove Park known as the Freedom Trail Section, (b) the Municipal Ball Park, also known as Herman Franks Park, except for the fenced youth baseball diamonds and playground area, and (c) designated areas of Jordan Park. While in such areas dogs shall at all times remain under control of the dog's owner or custodian. "Under control" means that a dog will respond on command to its owner or custodian. C. Animals To Be Controlled. No person shall ride or drive any horse or animal not well broken and under perfect control of the driver. 4 D. Livestock and Animals. No person shall lead or let loose any cattle, horse, mule, goat, sheep swine, dogs or fowl of any kind. E. Tethering Animals. No person shall hitch or fasten any horse or other animal to any tree or any other place or structure not especially designated and provided for such purpose. SECTION 3. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon the date of its first publication. Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah this 20 day of October CHIE DEPUTY CI Y ' CORDE Transmitted to Mayor on , 1998. CHAIRPE B.PRDVED AS TO F00.' ado 119716-111 October 20, 1998 5 Mayor's Action: XX HIEF IEPUTY C T RE ORDER (SEAL) Bill No. 67 of 1998. Published: October 30, 1998. ATTEST: Approved. MAYOR g:\attorneys\ordina98\8-09-390 - dogs w/o leash - permanent ord.- clean 6 Vetoed.