The following terms are defined for use in this chapter.
1. “Abandon” means to cease to provide control over, shelter, food and water for an animal without having provided that such care, custody and physical control of such animal has been transferred to another person, with the knowledge and consent of that person.
2. “Adequate food” means providing at suitable intervals, as the dietary requirements of the species or breed so require, a quantity of food stuff, suitable for the physical condition and age of the animal sufficient to maintain an adequate level of nutrition for such animal.
3. “Adequate indoor shelter” means an indoor area that is ventilated, daytime illuminated and sufficiently regulated by heating or cooling to protect the animal according to the species or breed from extremes of temperature.
4. “Adequate outdoor shelter” means a structure or shelter which provides access to shade from direct sunlight and regress and protection from exposure to adverse weather conditions.
5. “Adequate sanitation” means regular periodic cleaning or sanitizing of primary enclosures and housing facilities to remove excreta and other waste materials and dirt so as to minimize health hazards, flies and odors.
6. “Adequate space” means primary enclosures and housing facilities constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient space to allow each animal adequate freedom of movement to maintain physical condition. Inadequate space may be indicated by evidence of malnutrition, poor condition, debility, stress or abnormal behavior patterns.
7. “Adequate veterinary care” means that a sick, diseased or injured animal shall be provided with a proper program of care or humanely euthanized.
8. “Adequate water” means reasonable access to a supply of water provided in a drinkable manner to the animal at all times when outside, subject to weather elements. Water shall be provided daily for such duration and of such quantity as necessary for the animal’s health and needs.
9. “Advertise” means to present a commercial message in any medium including but not limited to print, radio, television, sign, display, label, tag or articulation.
10. “Animal” means any live vertebrate creature, domestic or wild, except human beings, of any species and of either sex, whether altered or not, kept within the City by an owner.
11. “Business” means any enterprise relating to any of the following:
A. The sale or offer for sale of goods or services.
B. A recruitment for employment or membership in an organization.
C. A solicitation to make an investment.
D. An amusement or entertainment activity.
12. “Community Cat” means a cat that is allowed to roam freely within the City that meets the following requirements:
A. No person owns the particular cat; and
B. The cat has been assessed by a licensed veterinarian and has been deemed healthy; and
C. The cat has been spayed or neutered.
D. The cat has been vaccinated against rabies, feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia; and
13. “Defilement” means to foul, dirty, pollute or make filthy, either by the animal’s body or wastes or by the animal carrying or dragging any foul material.
14. “Fair” means any of the following:
A. The annual fair and exposition held by the Iowa State Fair Board pursuant to Chapter 173 of the Code of Iowa or any fair event conducted by a fair under the provisions of Chapter 174 of the Code of Iowa.
A. An exhibition of agricultural or manufactured products.
A. An event for operation of amusement rides or devices or concession booths.
15. “Game” means a “game of chance” or “game of skill” as defined in Section 99B.1 of the Code of Iowa.
16. “Guard/attack dog” means a dog which is trained to attack persons upon the command of its master or custodian or upon the actions of an individual.
17. “Kennel” means a place maintained for the business of boarding, raising, rearing, training or sale of animals, as defined by the Code of Iowa.
18. “Leash” means a rope, line, thong, chain or other similar restraint which is sufficient to hold the animal in check. Length of leash shall be no more than twenty (20) feet.
19. “Livestock” means an animal belonging to the bovine, caprine, equine, ovine or porcine species, ostriches, rheas and emus; farm deer as defined in Section 170.1 of the Code of Iowa; or poultry.
For purposes of this code, the term livestock shall not apply to any person who is keeping or harboring chickens under a valid Urban Chicken Permit issued pursuant to Chapter 55A of this code.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 717.1)
20. “Molest” includes not only biting and scratching, but also any annoyance, interference with or meddling with any person so as to trouble or harm said person.
21. “Municipal pound” or “municipal shelter” means any public animal shelter or pound established or maintained by the City which may include any private or charitable organization or facility leased by the City or with whom the City has a contractual agreement for impoundment services.
22. “Owner” means any person owning, keeping, sheltering or harboring an animal. If such person is a minor, then “owner” means the parents or custodial parent or guardian of such person.
23. “Pet,” as used in this chapter, means a living dog, cat, or an animal normally maintained in a small tank or cage in or near a residence, including but not limited to a rabbit, gerbil, hamster, mouse, parrot, canary, mynah, finch, tropical fish, goldfish, snake, turtle, gecko, or iguana. “Pet animal,” as used in Chapter 56, means: (i) any animal that is taxonomically classified as Felis domestica and generally referred to as a domestic cat; (ii) any animal that is taxonomically classified as Canis familiaris and generally referred to as a domestic dog; and (iii) any animal kept by an owner for which the State Veterinarian’s Office requires a previously accepted rabies vaccination.
24. “Private property” means all buildings and other property owned by a private person and includes buildings, yards and service and parking areas.
25. “Public property” means buildings and other property owned or dedicated to the use of the City, the State, the County or the United States government, wherein the authorized representative has granted the City jurisdiction thereof, or any governmental subdivision of the City, State, County or U.S. government, or any governmental organization established by the City, State, County or U.S. government. Such property includes, but is not limited to, buildings, grounds, yards, street right-of-ways, parks, service areas, open areas, athletic and recreational areas, riverbanks, parking areas and ramps, and any other real estate owned by a governmental unit.
26. “Veterinarian” means a person duly licensed by the State to practice veterinary medicine.
27. “Veterinary hospital” means an establishment regularly maintained and operated by a veterinarian for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries to animals and which may board animals.
(Ord. 2021-1008 – Mar. 23 Supp.)