ORDINANCE NO. 4459

 

 

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF THE GRAND JUNCTION MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO PETS AND DOGS IN COMMON AND PUBLIC AREAS

 

 

RECITALS:

 

An expansion of the restrictions imposed upon pets, including but not limited to dogs, being present at downtown events is necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens, tourists, visitors, vendors and to increase the quality of the events.

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION THAT:

 

Part of Chapter 6, Section 12 of the City of Grand Junction, Colorado, Code of Ordinances is hereby amended to read as follows.

 

Sec. 6.12.020 Definitions.

 At large means to be off the premises of the owner or custodian and not under direct physical control of the owner or custodian by means of a leash or other mechanism of control. A dog may be off leash and otherwise at large while actually working livestock, locating or retrieving wild game in a lawful season for a licensed hunter, assisting law enforcement officers or participating in an organized obedience training class, dog show, obedience trial or event in which the dog is participating and/or is entertainment. Dogs tethered to a stationary object within range of a public street, sidewalk, or right-of-way shall be deemed “at large” if the owner or custodian of such dog is not immediately present. The livestock and locating or retrieving wild game exceptions shall not apply in:

 

(1) Downtown Grand Junction: defined as the area bounded on the east by 12th Street and on the west by First Street; and on the north by the north side of the pavement of Grand Avenue, and on the south by the south side of the pavement of Colorado Avenue; or

 

(2) The North Avenue corridor: defined as the area one-half block north and south of North Avenue - from First Street on the west to 29 Road on the east.

 

Section 6.12.040 Dogs running at large.

(a) Confinement required. No dog owner, or any person who harbors, keeps or is custodian of a dog, shall fail to physically, mechanically or electronically confine the dog. Such confinement shall ensure that the dog cannot leave the premises or be at large. No dog owner, or any person who harbors, keeps or is custodian of the dog, shall fail to prevent the dog from being or running at large. Any dog off its owner’s premises shall be under leash control by its owner.

(b) Dogs in common and public areas.

 

(1) No dog owner, or any person who harbors a dog, shall fail to prevent his dog from running at large in the yard of any multiple occupancy building which is occupied by other persons; or in the common areas of mobile home complexes, apartments, or condominium developments; or in open space areas of subdivisions or parks, unless permission is posted by public authorities allowing dogs at large.

 

   (2) No dog owner, or any person who harbors a dog, shall permit his dog to be at, in or within the permitted area of any special event(s) in Downtown Grand Junction, as defined in 6.12.020 unless permission is posted by public authorities allowing dogs to be present within the permitted area of the event. Physical or mechanical confinement of the dog is not a defense to prosecution under this section. Service dogs and police canines shall be exempt from this section. For purposes of this section special events are those activities which hold a valid permit issued by the City or the Downtown Development Authority (hereinafter referred to as “DDA”). When dogs are allowed at special events the event promoter shall provide notice in the advertising for the event and at the event location on the day(s) of the event.

 

   (3) The City, DDA or an event promoter authorized by the City or the DDA may allow dogs at any event or may as part or all of an event authorize an organized race, obedience training class, dog show or obedience trial or similar activities or entertainment involving dogs.

 

   (4) When dogs are allowed at special events in Downtown Grand Junction notice shall be conspicuously posted at entrances to the event and at reasonable intervals throughout the event. Notice is not required if dogs are present at an organized race, obedience training class, dog show or obedience trial or similar activities or entertainment involving dogs, which event is permitted by the City or the DDA.

 

There is hereby created and enacted a new section of Chapter 6, Section 4 to be known as 6.04.0130 entitled Animals at Downtown Events.

 

 

   (a) No animal owner, or any person who harbors an animal, shall permit his animal to be at, in or within the permitted area of any special event(s) in Downtown Grand Junction, as defined in 6.12.020 unless prior written permission is granted by the City or the DDA allowing the animal(s) to be present within the permitted area of the event. Physical or mechanical confinement of the animal is not a defense to prosecution under this section. Service dogs and police canines shall be exempt from this section. For purposes of this section special events are those activities which hold a valid permit issued by the City or the Downtown Development Authority (“DDA”).

 

   (b) The City or the DDA or an event promoter authorized by the City or the DDA may allow animals at any event or may as part or all of an event authorize an organized race, exhibition and/or parade, training class(es), show(s) or obedience trial or similar activities or entertainment involving animals.

 

 

ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 6 ARTICLE SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.

 

PASSED for first reading and ordered published in pamphlet form by the City Council of the City of Grand Junction, Colorado this 4th day of April, 2011.

 

PASSED AND ADOPTED on second reading and ordered published in pamphlet form by the City Council of the City of Grand Junction, Colorado this 18th day of April, 2011.

 

 

 

                 /s/ Teresa A. Coons        

                 President of the Council

 

Attest:

 

 

 

/s/ Stephanie Tuin      

City Clerk