ORDINANCE 11-03-25
AN AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 89-2 REQUIRING THE OWNERS OF ALL PETS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE TOWN OF SILVER LAKE, KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, INDIANA, TO RESTRAIN THEM FROM RUNNING AT LARGE

WHEREAS, Silver Lake Town Council wishes to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the town by regulating the control of pets and prohibiting them from running at large.

THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, as follows:

SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS
• “Pets” shall mean any domesticated animal kept for companionship, including but not limited to dogs and cats
• “Owner” or “Keeper” shall mean any person, firm, or corporation owning, keeping, or harboring a pet.
• “At Large” shall mean a pet running off the premises of its owner and not under the immediate control of a competent person by leash, chain, cord, or other physical restraint.
• “Vicious” or “Ferocious” shall mean that an animal has shown a propensity to attack or cause injury to humans or other animals without provocation. This definition includes animals that bite or attack without justification or exhibit aggressive behavior.
• “Live Trap” shall mean a device designed to capture and contain animals without causing injury.

SECTION 2: UNLAWFUL
• It shall be unlawful for any owner or keeper of a pet to allow such pet or pets to trespass upon the property of any person within the limits of the Town of Silver Lake, to the annoyance of such person.
• It shall be unlawful for any person or keeper of any pet(s) to allow them to be without restraint by leash, chain, cord, or other physical restraint upon any street, alley, sidewalk, public grounds, parks, or public places.
• It shall be unlawful for any person, owner, or keeper to harbor a vicious or ferocious animal within the town limits of the Town of Silver Lake, Indiana, regardless of its being leashed, corded, chained, or restrained by any other physical restraint.
• It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, firm, or keeper to own or harbor an animal that has not been given the proper rabies vaccine.

SECTION 3: TRAPPING
The purpose of this section is to regulate the use of live traps within the town limits, to promote safe and humane capture of animals, and to establish a deposit system to ensure the return of town-owned cages and traps loaned by the town.
• Residents may request the use of a live trap from the town for the purpose of capturing nuisance animals.
• All traps issued by the town must be used in a humane manner and in compliance with any local, state, and federal wildlife regulations.
• Traps must be checked every twelve (12) hours.
• A refundable deposit of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be collected from any residents or businesses borrowing a town-owned trap.
• The deposit shall be refunded in full upon the return of the trap in good working condition.
• Failure to return the trap or returning it damaged beyond normal wear shall result in the forfeiture of the deposit.
• Residents shall notify the town or the Marshal’s office for removal and relocation of the captured animal.

SECTION 4: VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
The Town Marshal or his or her designee are authorized to impound into his or her custody any animal running at large and remove any vicious or ferocious animal at his/her discretion.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first offense and no more than two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) for any occurrence thereafter. The Town Marshal is hereby authorized to use his/her discretion as to the fine amount after the first initial occurrence, up to the maximum amount.

SECTION 5: VALIDITY
If any portion of this ordinance is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such findings shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.

This ordinance shall be in full force and effect following the passage and thirty (30) days after its publication. Passed this 10th day of December, 2025.

Medard Murfin, Council President
Nichole Taylor, Council Member
Gloria Weller, Council Member
ATTEST: Tonya Conley, Clerk-Treasurer