The municipal code of Cincinnati, Ohio makes it illegal to own, possess, breed, sell or transfer ownership of a pit bull terrier. The pit bull ban applies to dogs that were not registered prior to November 1, 2003. The exempted dogs are permitted to remain within the city as long as the owner stays in compliance with the laws. The statutes also require that dangerous dogs be micro-chipped and owners are required to maintain liability insurance of at least $100,000 in case someone is injured or killed by a vicious dog.
Sec. 701-6 . - Possession of a Dangerous or Vicious Dog Prohibited.
Sec. 701-7 . - Possession of a Dangerous or Vicious Dog Limited.
Sec. 701-8 . - Dangerous and Vicious Dogs to be Registered.
Sec. 701-9 . - Liability Insurance Required.
Sec. 701-10 . - Pit Bull Identification.
Sec. 701-6. - Possession of a Dangerous or Vicious Dog Prohibited.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to own or harbor a dangerous or vicious dog that is not a pit bull terrier unless said dog has been registered pursuant to this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any person to breed, sell or transfer ownership of a vicious dog. It shall not be a violation of this section for a person to transfer ownership of a vicious dog to an animal shelter.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess, control, harbor, breed, sell or transfer ownership of a pit bull terrier; as defined herein, within the municipal limits of Cincinnati.
(a) "Pit bull terrier" is hereby defined as any Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog, or any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the breed of Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier, as to be identifiable as partially of the breed of Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier.
(b) Testimony by a veterinarian, zoologist, Cincinnati police officer trained in animal control, or animal control officer (SPCA) that a particular dog exhibits distinguishing physical characteristics of a pit bull shall establish a rebuttable presumption that the dog is a pit bull.
(3) This section is a necessary control to eliminate the risk of attack by pit bulls on human beings in the City which has become a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the public in all areas of the City; and the lack of knowledge or lack of intent is not a defense to any violation thereof.
(4) It shall not be a violation of this section for animal shelters and veterinary clinics, as defined herein, to own, keep, possess, control, or harbor a pit bull terrier or vicious dog within the municipal limits of Cincinnati, as long as such entities comply with the requirements of 701-8 and 701-9 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code.
(5) Animal shelter shall mean an incorporated humane society or a registered nonprofit foundation.
(6) Veterinary clinic shall mean a legal entity with validly licensed veterinarian(s) under Chapter 4741 of the Ohio Revised Code, that maintains custody of the dog for the purpose of providing medical treatment.
The ban on pit bulls within the City of Cincinnati applies to all owners, harborers, and/or keepers of pit bulls, who have not registered their pit bull prior to November 1, 2003, under C.M.C. Sections 701-8 and 701-9. Those pit bulls that were registered prior to November 1, 2003, are permitted to remain within the City of Cincinnati as long as the owner, harborer, and/or keeper continues to be in compliance with C.M.C. Sections 701-8 and 701-9.
(Ordained by Ord. No. 460-1999, eff. Dec. 24, 1999; a. Ord. No. 273-2003, eff. Nov. 1, 2003; a. Ord. No. 370-2003, eff. Nov. 13, 2003; a. Ord. No. 187-2008, § 1, eff. June 29, 2008; a Ord. No. 0080-2009, § 1, eff. April 25, 2009)
Cross reference— Penalty, § 701-99
Sec. 701-7. - Possession of a Dangerous or Vicious Dog Limited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to own or harbor more than three dangerous dogs.
It shall be unlawful for any person to own or harbor more than one vicious dog, which is over the age of six months, at one time.
This provision shall not apply to any animal shelter or veterinary clinic as long as the dangerous and/or vicious dogs are registered and insured in accordance with Chapter 701.
(Ordained by Ord. No. 460-1999, eff. Dec. 24, 1999; a. Ord. No. 370-2003, eff. Nov. 13, 2003)
Cross reference— Penalty, § 701-99 ; peddlers and itinerant vendors, ch. 839
Sec. 701-8. - Dangerous and Vicious Dogs to be Registered.
The owner or harborer of a dangerous and/or vicious dog shall, within seven days of possession, comply with subsections a through c of this section; and with all other subsections as indicated herein.
a. Have the dangerous dog identified using a micro chip inserted between the top of the dog's shoulder blades at the withers, by an individual licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Ohio.
b. Have the vicious dog tattooed on an inside thigh and have an identifying micro chip inserted between the top of the dog's shoulder blades at the withers, by an individual licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Ohio. The tattoo shall be a number provided by the Cincinnati Police Department.
c. Provide the Cincinnati Police Department with:
1. Documentation from the veterinarian describing the tattoo and microchip number;
2. Current color photographs of the dog showing the front face, side head, and whole body of the dog, and any other identifying characteristic such as color marking or scars; and
3. The name, address, and phone number of the owner or harborer.
d. If the owner or harborer has registered a dangerous or vicious dog he/she shall notify within 24 hours, the Cincinnati Police Department of a change of his address and/or phone number;
e. If the owner or harborer of a dangerous or vicious dog has sold, given away, or if control of said dog has in any other manner been transferred for more than 48 consecutive hours, he shall notify the Cincinnati Police Department within 24 hours of the name and address of the individual harboring the dog.
f. Within 72 hours of taking possession of a dog registered under this chapter, register the dog with the Cincinnati Police Department, if the dog is harbored in the city of Cincinnati.
g. The owner or harborer of a dangerous or vicious dog shall re-register the dog with the Cincinnati Police Department annually.
h. The owner or harborer of a vicious dog shall immediately notify the Cincinnati Police Department when the dog is loose or has attacked a person.
i. This section does not apply to those pit bulls, which are not permitted to be owned, possessed, harbored, or controlled within the city limits of Cincinnati per C.M.C. section 701-6
(Ordained by Ord. No. 460-1999, eff. Dec. 24, 1999; a. Ord. No. 272-2003, eff. Nov. 1, 2003)
Cross reference— Penalty, § 701-99
Sec. 701-9. - Liability Insurance Required.
The owner or harborer of a vicious dog, or in event the owner is a minor, the owner's parent or guardian shall obtain and keep in force liability insurance, in an amount of not less than $100,000, protecting against injury or death caused by such vicious dog. The owner or harborer, or in the event the owner or harborer is a minor, the owner's or harborer's parent or guardian shall provide the Cincinnati Police Division with proof of the insurance required herein.
(Ordained by Ord. No. 460-1999, eff. Dec. 24, 1999; a. Ord. No. 0080-2009, § 3, eff. April 25, 2009)
Cross reference— Penalty, § 701-99
Sec. 701-10. - Pit Bull Identification.
A pit bull may be identified by veterinarian licensed by the State of Ohio, the Hamilton County Dog Warden, a Cincinnati Police Officer trained in animal control, or a deputy Hamilton County Dog Warden.
(Ordained by Ord. No. 460-1999, eff. Dec. 24, 1999; a. Ord. No. 187-2008, § 3, eff. June 29, 2008)
Cross reference— Penalty, § 701-99