When used herein, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed to them below:
"ANIMAL(S)." Any living dumb creature or creatures and shall include dogs, cats, fowl, livestock and wild animals.
"ANIMAL RECLAIM CENTER." A facility designated by the city as the location to be used for keeping animals impounded or quarantined under this chapter or applicable law.
"AT LARGE." Any animal not restrained by some physical means to the premises of the person in possession of the animal. However, an animal shall not be considered at large when held and controlled by some person by means of a leash or chain of proper strength and length to control the actions of the animal, fowl or livestock.
"FOWL." Birds of any kind including chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, guineas, geese, ducks, peafowl, emu and other domestic feathered creatures but excluding parakeets, canaries, or other similar small sized birds or any exotic birds, such as parrots provided they be continuously confined within the residence or business of the person in possession of same and are non-domestic feathered creatures.
"KENNEL." A kennel is any lot, building, structure, enclosure or premises wherein five (5) or more dogs and/or five (5) or more cats, or five (5) or more dogs and cats in the aggregate, four (4) months of age or older, are kept or maintained, whether for profit or pleasure but shall not include a veterinary hospital or pet shop.
"LIVESTOCK." Horses (all equine species including mules, donkeys and jack asses); cows (all bovine species); sheep (all ovine species); llamas; goats (all caprine species); and pigs (all swine species).
"NOTICE." Written memorandum either personally delivered to the person entitled thereto or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the person entitled thereto at the last-known address of the recipient.
"PERSON." Any individual, corporation organization, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity.
"POSSESSION OF (AN/THE) ANIMAL." When any person:
(a) is the owner or has any ownership interest in an animal, or
(b) has an animal in that person's care, custody or control, including, without limitation, any person who: (i) is boarding an animal, (ii) is caring for an animal on another person's property (whether for remuneration or not), (iii) has been given the temporary use, possession or control of an animal by any other person or (iv) provides food, shelter maintenance or care for an animal for three days or more (regardless of whether such three days are consecutive). The fact that an individual has obtained a license for a dog or a cat or has done so for such animal within five year period immediately proceeding an offense under this chapter shall be prima facie evidence of the fact that such individual is in possession of the animal for purposes of this chapter.
"RESIDENCE." Any place of human habitation at any time day or night, including but not limited to any residence, church, school or nursing home.
"RESTRAINED." To secure an animal by a leash or lead or confinement within the property limits of the person in possession of the animal.
"VACCINATION." An injection of rabies vaccine which is approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Biologics Division or an appropriate state agency and administered by a veterinarian.
"VETERINARIAN." Any person duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine by the Texas State Board of Veterinary Examiners or an equivalent authority of any other state of the United States.
"VETERINARY HOSPITAL." Any establishment maintained and operated by a veterinarian for surgery, diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases and injuries.
(Ord. 562, passed 9-21-98; Am. Ord. 607, passed 12-18-00)