As used in this chapter:
"Animal" means any live, vertebrate creature, domestic or wild, excluding humans for the purpose of Section 6.04.040, “animal” shall mean any animal that may be infected with rabies.
"Animal control center" means any facility operated by a humane society, or municipal agency or its authorized agents for the purpose of impounding or caring for animals held under the authority of the laws governing such controls.
"Animal control officer" means any person duly authorized by state, county or local authorities to enforce these ordinances.
"At large" any animal shall be deemed to be "at large" when it is off the property of its owner and not under control of a competent person, unless the animal is under the immediate control of its owner or custodian by means of a leash, under verbal control, or is securely confined in a vehicle.
“Cruelty, mistreatment or torture” means every act, omission or neglect whereby unnecessary, unjustifiable, or unreasonable physical pain or suffering of an animal is caused or permitted.
“Dangerous animal” any animal that, but itself or by environmental circumstances, at the determination of an animal control officer after investigation, is a threat to the physical well-being of other owned animals or humans.
“Domestic animal” means any animal that through long association with man, has been bred to a degree which has resulted in genetic changes affecting the temperament, color, conformation, or other attributes of the species to an extent that makes it unique and different from wild individuals of its kind.
"Exposure to rabies" means any animal that has been exposed to rabies within the meaning of this chapter or it has been bitten by or exposed to any animal known to be or suspected of being infected with rabies.
"Feral animal" means livestock, or pets, not effectively controlled by any person, and exhibiting predatory, scavenger, or vicious tendencies.
"Inhumane treatment and neglect" means any act of mistreatment, torture, cruelty, neglect, abandonment, mutilation or inhumane slaughter, of an animal that is not consistent with generally accepted training, use, and husbandry procedures, for the species, breed, physical condition and type of animal.
"Kennel" means any person, group of persons, or corporation engaged in the commercial enterprise of buying, selling, breeding, or boarding animals. A kennel is not allowed within city limits without the prior approval of the city common council. Kennels shall provide appropriate housing or adequate protection that will allow the animal to be out of the elements.
"Livestock" means mammals or birds of a type, which are typically kept for draft, production of food, or the hides, plumage, or pelts of which are generally marketable. This includes, but is not limited to, cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, mink, chinchilla, nutria, horses, donkeys and burros.
"Neglect of animal" means the failure to provide food, water, protection from the elements, adequate sanitation, adequate facilities, or care generally considered to be standard and accepted for the animal's health and well-being consistent with the species, breed, physical condition, and type of animal.
"Neutered animal" means any male animal which has undergone surgery to prevent reproduction, whose owner can provide proof of such surgery.
"Owner" means any person, partnership or cooperative or other legal entity owning, keeping or harboring any animal or in the case of a person under the age of eighteen (18), that persons parent(s) or legal guardian. An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for twenty (20) consecutive days or more.
"Pets" means mammals of a type generally housed in, or near, a human habitation, and kept for companionship, protection, hunting, or show but excluding livestock as defined herein. No residence, within city limits, may keep, or harbor, more than six pets (not including fish and birds) over the age of six months at one time.
“Potentially dangerous animal” shall mean any animal that, because of its aggressive nature, training or characteristic behavior, presents a risk of substantial physical harm or death to human beings, or would constitute a danger to human life, physical well-being, or property if not kept under the direct control of the owner. The term “potentially dangerous animal” includes any animal that, according to the records of the animal control officer or any law enforcement agency:
1. Has when unprovoked, bitten, attacked, endangered, or inflicted injury on a human being on public or private property, or when unprovoked, has chased or approached a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack;
2. Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal or livestock while off the owners property; or
3. Has been used primarily or in part for the purpose of animal fighting, or is an animal trained for animal fighting.
"Public nuisance" means any animal or animals which:
1. Molests passersby or passing vehicles;
2. Attacks other animals;
3. Damages private or public property;
4. Is repeatedly at large; or
5. Barks, whines or howls in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion.
"Rabies control authority" means the city and it's duly appointed agents.
"Restraint" means any animal secured by a leash or lead, or under the control of a responsible person and obedient to that person's commands, or within the real property limits of its owner.
"Spayed animal" means any female animal which has undergone surgery to prevent conception, whose owner can provide suitable proof of such surgery.
"Vaccination against rabies" means the inoculation of an animal with rabies vaccine licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture.
"Vicious animals" means animals with an existing propensity to attack or bite human beings or other animals, which is known, or should reasonably be known, to the owner. For the purpose of this chapter, a vicious dog is any dog which, when unprovoked, in a vicious, or terrorizing manner, approaches in an apparent attitude of attack, bites, inflicts injury, assaults, or otherwise attacks a human being upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds or places; (or) any dog which, on private property, when unprovoked, in a vicious, or terrifying manner, approaches in an apparent attitude of attack, bites, inflicts injury, or otherwise attacks a serviceman, journeyman, delivery man, or other employed person who is on private property by reason of permission of the owner or occupant of such property, or who is on private property by reason of a course of dealing with the owner or occupant of such private property.
"Wild animal" means any animal not in captivity, other than a domestic animal. (Ord. 749, 2014; Ord. 636 (part), 2006)