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505.16 NUISANCE, VICIOUS AND DANGEROUS DOGS; REGISTRATION. <br />(a) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and <br />enforcement of this section: <br />(1) "American Bulldog" means any American Bulldog or Old Country <br />Bulldog, or any mixed breed of dog which contains, as an element of its <br />breeding, the breed of American Bulldog or Old Country Bulldog as to be <br />identifiable as partially of the breed of American Bulldog or Old Country <br />Bulldog. <br />(2) "Animal Control Officer" or "ACO" is the employee authorized to render <br />determinations and to otherwise enforce the provisions of this code and <br />Revised Code Chapter 955. A person designated by the Mayor in the <br />absence or unavailability of an Animal Control Officer shall have the <br />same authority as the Animal Control Officer. <br />(3) "Canary Dog" means any Canary Dog or Perro de Presa Canario, or any <br />mixed breed of dog which contains, as an element of its breeding, the <br />breed of Canary Dog or Perro de Presa Canario as to be identifiable as <br />partially of the breed of Canary Dog or Perro de Presa Canario. <br />(4) "Dangerous dog" shall have the definition as set forth in Revised Code <br />955.11. <br />(5) "Menacing fashion" shall have the definition as set forth in Revised Code <br />955.11. <br />(6) "Nuisance dog" shall have the definition as set forth in Revised Code <br />955.11. <br />(7) "Owner" means any person owning, keeping, possessing, harboring, <br />maintaining, or having the care, custody or control of an animal. <br />(8) "Pit bull" means any Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, <br />or American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog, or any mixed breed of dog <br />which contains, as an element of its breeding, the breed of Staffordshire <br />Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier <br />as to be identifiable as partially of the breed of Staffordshire Bull Terrier, <br />(9) "Physical harm to persons," "physical harm to property," <br />"serious harm to persons" and "serious physical harm to property" shall <br />have the definition as set forth in Revised Code 2901.01. <br />(10) "Vicious dog" shall have the definition as set forth in Revised Code <br />955.11. <br />(b) Nuisance, Vicious and/or Dangerous Do <br />(1) Whenever a complaint is made to the City or the ACO observes the <br />presence of a nuisance, dangerous or vicious dog within the City, the <br />ACO, with assistance from the Division of Police if necessary, shall <br />promptly inspect or cause an inspection of the dog and premises on which <br />it is alleged that such animal is being kept. The ACO or person designated <br />by the Mayor in his absence or unavailability may determine and <br />designate a dog to be a nuisance, dangerous, or vicious dog. <br />(2) Upon reasonable cause to believe that a dog in the City is a nuisance, <br />dangerous or vicious dog, the ACO or designated individual shall <br />determine the individual, firm or corporation who from the records in the <br />Cuyahoga County Office of the Fiscal Officer appears to be the owner of <br />the dog and the titled owner of the property upon which the dog is kept, <br />and shall cause written notice to be served on such owners. Notice shall <br />be served in person or by certified mail with a return receipt requested. If <br />certified service of such written notice is unable to be perfected, then the <br />