For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any mammal, reptile, amphibian, fish, bird (including all fowl and poultry), or other member commonly accepted as a part of the animal kingdom. ANIMALS shall be classified as follows:
(1) ANIMALS, DOMESTIC. Those animals commonly accepted as domesticated household pets. Unless otherwise defined, DOMESTIC ANIMALS shall include dogs, cats, caged birds, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, domesticated rabbits, fish, non-poisonous, non-venomous, and non-constricting reptiles or amphibians, and other similar animals.
(2) ANIMALS, FARM. Those animals commonly associated with a farm or performing work in an agricultural setting. Unless otherwise defined, FARM ANIMALS shall include members of the equestrian family (horses, mules), bovine family (cows, bulls), sheep, poultry (chickens, turkeys), fowl (ducks, geese), swine (including Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs), goats, bees, and other animals associated with a farm, ranch, or stable.
(3) ANIMALS, NON-DOMESTIC. Those animals commonly considered to be naturally wild and not naturally trained or domesticated, or which are commonly considered to be inherently dangerous to the health, safety, and welfare of people. Unless otherwise defined, NON-DOMESTIC ANIMALS shall include:
(a) Any member of the large cat family (family felidae), including lions, tigers, cougars, bobcats, leopards, and jaguars, but excluding commonly accepted domesticated house cats;
(b) Any naturally wild member of the canine family (family canidae), including wolves, foxes, coyotes, dingoes, and jackals, but excluding commonly accepted domesticated dogs;
(c) Any crossbreeds such as the crossbreed between a wolf and a dog, unless the crossbreed is commonly accepted as a domesticated house pet;
(d) Any member or relative of the rodent family including any skunk (whether or not descented), raccoon, squirrel, or ferret, but excluding those members otherwise defined or commonly accepted as domesticated pets;
(e) Any poisonous, venomous, constricting, or inherently dangerous member of the reptile or amphibian families including rattlesnakes, boa constrictors, pit vipers, crocodiles, and alligators; and
(f) Any other animal which is not explicitly listed above but which can be reasonably defined by the terms of this section, including, but not limited to, bears, deer, monkeys, and game fish.
AT LARGE. A dog shall be termed AT LARGE when it is not under restraint, as defined herein.
CHICK. A chicken between zero to four weeks.
CHICKEN. Fowl of the genus Gallus and species gallus domesticus that is commonly referred to as DOMESTICATED FOWL.
CHICKEN COOP. Any structure used for the housing of chickens.
CHICKEN RUN. An outdoor area for the keeping and exercising of chickens.
HARBORER. Any person who has custody of any dog or cat or permits a dog or cat to be kept or to stay on or about the HARBORER’S premises.
LICENSED VETERINARIAN. A person or persons licensed by the state and/or owning or conducting a veterinary practice within the city.
OWNER. Any person, group of persons, or legal entity owning, keeping, or harboring a dog or cat.
POLICE. The police officers of the city, or any person, firm, or agency hired or engaged by the city to assist the police in the performance of their duties.
RESTRAINT. A dog is under RESTRAINT if it is controlled by a leash not exceeding eight feet in length; or if it is under the voice or signal command of a competent person, providing that the dog will immediately respond to and obey the voice or signal commands of such person; or if it is within the boundaries of the owner’s or harborer’s premises.
ROOSTER. A male chicken.
(Ord. 94, passed 8-10-1999; Ord. passed 12-11-2018; Ord. passed 8-8-2023)