A. Harboring. It is unlawful for any person knowingly to own, keep or harbor any dog which habitually or unreasonably barks, howls, nips or yelps to the discomfort, annoyance or disturbance of any person within the city. Such dogs are declared to be a public nuisance.

B. Notification. Whenever any person shall complain to the Columbia Falls police department that the provisions of subsection A of this section are being violated, the police department shall notify the owner, keeper or harborer of said dog that a complaint has been received and that the person must take whatever steps necessary to alleviate the barking, howling, nipping or yelping.

C. Enforcement. Following the notification set forth in subsection B of this section, if the police department receives verified complaints from at least two citizens not from the same family, alleging that the dog habitually or unreasonably barks, howls, nips or yelps to the discomfort, annoyance or disturbance of persons within the city, the owner, keeper or harborer of such dog shall be cited for the violation alleged in said complaints.

D. Violation-Penalty. Upon first conviction of a violation of this section, a fine of twenty-five dollars shall be imposed. Upon a second conviction of a violation of this section, a fine of fifty dollars shall be imposed. Upon a third conviction of a violation of this section, a fine of one hundred dollars shall be imposed. For each subsequent conviction, the fine to be imposed shall be increased by one hundred dollars over the fine imposed for the immediately preceding violation, up to a maximum fine of five hundred dollars. (Ord. 578 §§ 1-4, 1994)