A. It shall be unlawful for any person to own or harbor a dangerous dog or cat without keeping such dog or cat securely confined on the owner’s or keeper’s premises and under such restraint that persons lawfully on the premises, or elsewhere, may not be attacked or bitten by such dog or cat. The premises where such a dog or cat is kept shall be adequately posted with warning signs “Beware of Dog” or “Beware of Cat,” whichever is appropriate.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person, except a duly constituted peace officer or Animal Control Officer engaged in the discharge of a duty imposed upon him by the laws of this State or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States of America, or this chapter, to enter such premises or fenced area so posted, without the permission of or in the presence of the owner/keeper of such known dangerous dog or cat.

C. Any person harboring such a dog or cat who violates this section with the result that bodily injury is inflicted upon a human being at a time and place where such injured person had a right to be, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined in any sum not exceeding $500.00.

D. In the event that a dangerous dog or dangerous cat was previously impounded or quarantined by any law enforcement officer, including an Animal Control Officer, as a result of a violation of subsection (A) of this section, and the animal is later not properly securely confined as required by subsection (A) of this section, the animal shall be taken immediately into custody by Jasper County Animal Control agents or another law enforcement officer. Upon detention for the violation, the dangerous dog or dangerous cat shall not be returned to the owner, but shall be euthanized after a 10-day quarantine. [Ord. 9-8-09A § 4; Ord. 12-1-97D § 1; Code 1988 § 74.10.]