For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms and words are defined as set forth in this section unless otherwise defined herein:
ADEQUATE FOOD: The provision at suitable intervals as the dietary requirements of the species so require, of a quantity of wholesome foodstuff suitable for the species and age sufficient to maintain a reasonable level of nutrition in each animal. The foodstuff shall be served in a clean receptacle, dish, or container.
ADEQUATE WATER: Reasonable access to a supply of clean, fresh, potable water provided in a sanitary manner and provided at suitable intervals for the species not to exceed twenty four (24) hours at any one interval.
ANIMAL: A living organism, other than human beings, birds, fish, or invertebrates, domesticated or wild, and distinguished from other living things by structural characteristics such as locomotion.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER: Any humane officer employed by a humane society under contract with the city, any animal control officer under the jurisdiction of the chief of police, or any other person authorized by the city administrator to enforce the provisions of this chapter by means of appropriate police powers.
ANIMAL SHELTER: A facility which is used to house or contain dogs, cats, or other animals, and which is owned, operated or maintained by the city or operated under contract with the city for the purpose of humane boarding of animals impounded under the provisions of this chapter or any other ordinance.
AT HEEL: With reference to a dog, shall mean within six feet (6') of a person and subject to that person's strict obedience command.
BOARDING KENNEL: A place or establishment other than an animal shelter or pound where dogs, cats, or other animals, not owned by the proprietor, are sheltered, fed and watered in return for consideration.
CAT: All members of the feline species regardless of sex.
COMMERCIAL BREEDER: A person engaged in the business of breeding dogs or cats who sells, exchanges, or leases dogs or cats in return for consideration, or who offers to do so, whether or not the animals are raised, trained, groomed, or boarded by the person. A person who owns or harbors three (3) or less breeding males or females is not a commercial breeder.
COMMERCIAL KENNEL: A kennel which performs grooming, boarding, or training services for dogs or cats in return for consideration.
COMMISSION: The natural resources commission of the department of natural resources created and established by the code of Iowa.
DOG: All members of the canine species regardless of sex.
EUTHANASIA: The humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method that involves instantaneous unconsciousness and immediate death or a method that involves anesthesia, produced by an agent which causes painless loss of consciousness, and death during the loss of consciousness.
FURBEARING ANIMALS: The following which are declared to be furbearing animals for the purpose of regulation and protection under this chapter: beaver, mink, otter, muskrat, raccoon, skunk, opossum, spotted skunk or civet cat, weasel, coyote, bobcat, wolf, groundhog, red fox, gray fox, and any other animals defined as furbearing by the commission.
GUARD DOG: Any dog trained or used to protect persons or property by attacking or threatening to attack any person found within the area patrolled by the dog, such dog being either securely enclosed within the area at all times or under the continuous control of a trained handler.
HOUSING FACILITIES: Any room, building or area used to contain a primary enclosure or enclosures.
OWNER: Any person having a right of property in an animal, who keeps or harbors an animal, who has it in his or her care, who acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about any premises owned or occupied by him or her for three (3) or more days.
PERSON: An individual, partnership, corporation, or association and includes any officer, employee, or agency thereof.
PET SHOP: An establishment where any dog, cat, rabbit, rodent, fish other than live bait, bird, or other vertebrate animal is bought, sold, exchanged, or offered for sale.
PRIMARY ENCLOSURE: Any structure used to immediately restrict an animal to a limited amount of space, such as a room, pen, cage or compartment.
TAKE: Any pursuing, hunting, killing, trapping, snaring, netting, searching for, shooting at, taking or lying in wait for, or attempting any of the foregoing; any animal protected by state laws, regulations or rules adopted by the commission or this chapter. (2008 Code § 5-1)