Registration
AND
Responsibility

Click here for a City of Rocky River Pet Registration Form

This is a summary of Chapter 505 of the Rocky River Codified Ordinances which deals with both domestic and wild animals and attempts to bring our residents up-to-date with out current animal control regulations.

* Dogs MUST BE licensed yearly by the County and WEAR a valid tag (Ohio R.C. 955.01). The cutoff day for renewal is January 20th each year. (Licenses are available at the County Offices-telephone 348-4820).

* Not more than two dogs or cats, or a combination of one each, are
allowed per dwelling (505.03)

* No animal shall cause a disturbance (e.g., barking or howling) that disturbs residents (505.06).

* Animals are not permitted in stores or malls except as provided in 505.08.

* All animals shall be kept under control (e.g., leash or lead) and shall not be permitted to run at large anywhere within the city limits. The leash shall be no longer than ten (10) feet in length (505.10).

* Animals are not permitted in children's playground areas (505.09).

* Your pet may only defecate on your own property. In the event your pet defecates on another's property, the pet owner must pick up said feces and dispose of it in a sanitary manner. The Responsibility is yours(505.09). Whoever violates this Section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

* Wild animals such as lions, tigers, and wolves, etc. are prohibited (505.05).

* Cruelty to animals is prohibited in the City of Rocky River and is a second misdemeanor (505.14).

* Poisoning animals or birds (excluding rodents) is a first degree misdemeanor (505.20).

* No owner or keeper of a dog, cat, or other domestic animal shall abandon such animal. Whoever violates this Section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor (505.15).

* Wildlife parks are protected (505.22).

* No person shall hunt, kill or attempt to kill any animal within the City of Rocky River. Whoever violates this is Section is guilty of a first degree misdemeanor (505.21).

* Trapping of any animal or fowl by use of a clam-type trap (excluding rodents) is prohibited in the City of Rocky River (505.23).

* If a domestic animal is trapped in a City-approved trap, it shall be turned over to the City's Animal Control Officer. Whoever violates this Section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (505.23).

* The City may order a general quarantine of all animals to control rabies (505.16).

* An animal must be quarantine of all animals to control rabies (505.16).

* An animal must be quarantined if it has bitten any person.
-It must be examined by a qualified veterinarian within 24 hours of the bite.
-After examination, it must be confined at an animal clinic or kennel or secured at the home of the owner for a 10 day period, inaccessible to the public at large.
-The animal must again be examined by the veterinarian and must be submitted to the Director of Public Safety-Service.
Whoever violates this Section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

* Animals may be impounded if in violation of Animal Control ordinances. Payment of a $10.00 fee for the first day and $5.00 for each additional day must be paid in order for the animal to be released (505.18). Animals not wearing the valid license tags will be turned over to the A.P.L. after three days.
-In order to obtain release of said animal, fees, must be paid at the Rocky River Police Division.
-Animals shall be picked up at the Rocky River Animal Kennel, which is located at the Rocky River Service Garage, 22401 Lake Road (356-5630).

* "Dangerous dog" means that, without provocation, has chased or approached in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack, or has attempted to bite or otherwise endanger any person, while that dog is off the premises of its owner (505.11).

* "Vicious dog" means a dog that, without provocation has killed or caused serious injury to any person, has killed another dog, or belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull dog (505.11).

* A dangerous or vicious dog must be confined on its owner's property. Dangerous or vicious dogs must be properly leashed and muzzled if off of the owner's property. Said leash or tether must be chain link and not more than six feet in length. The owner of a dangerous or vicious dog must obtain liability insurance from a State-authorized agency for not less than $100,000 as further described in Section 505.12).

* Violations of Sections 505.11 and 505.12 include misdemeanors of the first degree, third degree, and fourth degree as described in Section 505.13.

The Court may order an animal to be destroyed for attacking a person, for attacking a domestic animal, or for habitually running at large in accordance with Section 505.19.

1998 UPDATE
Update #1: On November 10, 1997, Rocky River City Council passed Ordinance No. 163-97 changing Section 505 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Rocky River by creating a new Section 505.24 entitled "Rabies Vaccination of Cats and Dogs Required".

Section 505.24(a) states that "any person owning, keeping or harboring any cat of dog over the age of three (3) months, shall be required to have such animal currently immunized against rabies by a licensed veterinarian".

Section 505.24(b) states that "all owners or keepers as described in this section shall maintain a record of such immunization as provided by a veterinarian. They shall provide said proof of immunization to any person so inquiring."

Update #2:

A. The City of Rocky River will now be selling dog licenses at two locations, the Rocky River Police Department, 21012 Hilliard Blvd. between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and the Rocky River Service Garage, 22401 Lake Rd., between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
B. Renewal Fee is $10.00 if your pet is spayed/neutered or meets one of the exclusionary provisions, i.e., too young, too old, medical condition, hunting dog, AKC registered. Renewal Fee is $12.00 if none of the exclusions are applicable to your pet.
C. Dog licenses are available at the $10.00/$12.00 fee from December 1st to January 20th.
D. Dogs must be licensed yearly by the County and wear a valid tag. The cut-off day for renewal is January 20th each year.
E. Licenses will be sold after January 20th; however, a penalty equal to the cost of the dog license will be assessed if license is not obtained before January 20th.

Update #3:
Below is the newly required dog and cat registration form. This form is to be filled out and returned to the attention of James R. Linden, City of Rocky River, 21012 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River, OH 44116 for your pet's well-being. The registration form will be used to record your pet's license number, if applicable, and to record vaccination information. By filling out the rest of the form, you will aid the Animal Control Officer in expediting a quick return in the event of a lost pet.

Don Umerley
Mayor