For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any vertebrate excluding humans.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Any establishment authorized by the municipality for the care and custody of impounded animals.
BITE. A puncture or tear of the skin inflicted by the teeth of an animal.
CHIEF OF POLICE. The Chief of Police of the municipality or his or her designated representative.
EXOTIC ANIMAL. An animal which is rare or different from ordinary domesticated animals and is not indigenous to the State of New Mexico.
KEEPER. Any person who owns, harbors, keeps or has control or custody of an animal for more than 6 days, provided that this term shall not apply to veterinarians or kennel owners temporarily maintaining on their premises animals owned by others.
KENNEL. Any establishment or premises where dogs or cats are boarded or kept.
MUNICIPALITY. The area lying within the incorporated boundaries.
NUISANCE. Disturbing the peace, emitting noxious or offensive odors, or otherwise endangering or offensive to the environment of the municipality.
PERSON. Any individual, household, firm, partnership, corporation, society, association and every agent and employee thereof.
QUARANTINE. To detain or isolate an animal suspected of being infected with rabies.
RUNNING AT LARGE. An animal off the premises of the keeper and not under the direct control of a competent person. Direct control means connected by a secure leash not over 6 feet in length or some other equivalent means of direct control.
STRAY or ESTRAY. Any animal that has no identifiable keeper.
VACCINATION. The vaccination of an animal with an anti-rabies vaccine approved by the Secretary of the Health and Environment Department and administered under the supervision of a veterinarian.
VETERINARIAN. Any veterinarian licensed in the State of New Mexico.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any animal which commits an unprovoked attack upon a person on private property, or which terrorizes or attacks a person on public property or in a public place.
WILD ANIMAL. Any animal which is wild by nature and cannot normally be domesticated or controlled.
(Ord. 635, passed 1-13-2004)