For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Limited to dogs and cats.
ANIMAL CONTROL. The Animal Control Officer of the City of Big Sandy.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. Any person designated by the Big Sandy City Council to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
CAT. A domestic feline of either sex, including one neutered or sterilized.
DOG. A domestic canine of either sex, including one neutered or sterilized.
OWNER. Any person, firm or corporation having title to any animal; or a person who has, harbors or keeps, or who causes or permits to be harbored or kept, an animal in his or her care, or who permits an animal to remain on or about his or her premises.
RUNNING AT LARGE. Not completely confined by a building, wall or fence of sufficient strength or construction to restrain the animal except when the animal is either on a leash or held in the hands of the owner or keeper, or under supervision of the owner within the limits of the owner’s private property.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any individual animal of any species that has on a previous occasion or occasions without provocation attacked or bitten any person or other animal, or chases a person walking or riding a bicycle so as to cause harm to the person, or any individual animal which the Supervisor of Animal Control has reason to believe has a dangerous disposition likely to be harmful to humans or other animals.
WILD ANIMAL. Any poisonous or dangerous reptile, or any other animal which can normally be found in the wild state not normally capable of being domesticated, including but not limited to skunks, foxes, leopards, panthers, tigers, lions and lynx, unless certified for medical, biological, herpetological or other scientific research or study.
(1981 Code, § 4.1)