Hallsville Confinement of a Dangerous Animal ordinance (§ 205.195)

A. The owner of a dangerous animal or any person upon whose property is kept a dangerous animal shall confine such animal within a fully enclosed structure from which the animal cannot escape. The enclosure be secured to a floor or bottom or the sides must be embedded into the ground at a depth sufficient to keep the animal from burrowing under the fence. The sides of the enclosure must be of a height sufficient to keep the animal from jumping or climbing out or it must include a roof or top that will prevent the animal from escaping over the sides. The door of such enclosure shall be locked with a combination or keyed lock.

B. When confined within a building, no dangerous animal shall be kept in an area where windows or portions of doors are missing or any area where a window screen or screen door are part of the enclosure keeping the animal inside.

C. Any enclosure in which a dangerous animal is kept shall be identified by signs posted on the property advising others of the presence of a dangerous or vicious animal. Signs must have letters at least two (2) inches high containing the following: "BEWARE OF DANGEROUS ANIMAL OR DOG."

D. When a dangerous animal is not enclosed in a structure described above, the animal shall be muzzled and confined to a leash or tether no longer than six (6) feet and securely held by a person who is capable of restraining the animal. The muzzle shall be a cage-type muzzle that covers the mouth and the snout of the animal.

E. A person commits the offense of failing to confine a dangerous animal if an animal owned by him or her, or an animal upon any premises occupied by him or her or under his or her control, having been determined to be a dangerous animal is not confined in accordance of this Section.