For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any live non-human vertebrate creature, domestic, wild or exotic.
AT LARGE. Any animal, licensed or unlicensed, found off the premises of its owner and not under the control of a competent person, restrained within a motor vehicle, housed in a veterinary hospital or kennel, or on a leash or “at heel” beside a competent person and obedient to that person’s command.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. All domestic animals as defined in I.C. 15-17-2-26, and including but not limited to members of the following species: dog; cat; rabbit; mouse; guinea pig; chinchilla; hamster; and gerbil.
EXOTIC ANIMAL. Any animal whose normative native habitat is not indigenous to the continental United States, except fish and fur bearing animals commercially bred for the furrier trade and birds defined under federal regulations, and nonpoisonous snakes and reptiles.
OFFICER(S). Any police officer (including reserve police officers) and the Johnson County Animal Control Warden and any deputy or subordinate of the Animal Control Warden.
OWNER. Any person, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping, sheltering or harboring an animal.
PET. Any animal kept for pleasure rather than utility.
PUBLIC NUISANCE ANIMAL. Any animal that:
(A) Is repeatedly found at large.
(B) Damages the property of anyone other than the owner.
(C) Displays threatening or aggressive behavior.
(D) Excessively makes disturbing noises, including but not limited to, continued and repeated howling, barking, whining, or other utterances causing unreasonable disturbance or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept.
(E) Creates unsanitary conditions or offensive and objectionable odors in enclosures or surroundings and thereby creates unreasonable disturbance or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept.
(F) Is not being kept in conformity with town zoning ordinances.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any animal that: would constitute a danger to human life or property if it were not kept in the manner required by this chapter; without provocation, inflicts injury on a human being; menaces, maims or kills domestic animals when off its owner's property; has previously exhibited behaviors of a nuisance animal and exhibits escalating aggressive behaviors that result in further complaints; because of its training or behavior is capable of inflicting physical harm or death to humans; or is used in the commission of a crime.
WILD ANIMAL. Any animal that is not a domestic or exotic animal, with the exception of small, nonpoisonous aquatic or amphibious animals and small cage birds, which are normally found in a wild state.
(Ord. 2011-23, passed 12-13-2011; Ord. 2017-14, passed 7-11-2017)