For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL CONTROL DESIGNEE. Any designee of the Chief Administrative Officer, Mayor or Police Chief as all law enforcement officers as defined in state law, with all necessary police powers incident to the animal control authority.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Any premises provided by the city or other designated facility used to impound and temporarily care for dogs or other animals.
ANIMAL SHELTER ATTENDANT. A duly appointed and trained employee whose responsibility is to provide safe and humane shelter and provide food and water as necessary for animals kept in the city animal shelter.
AT LARGE. Off the premises of the owner and not on a leash or other restraint or properly controlled by the owner or responsible person.
DISPOSED OR DESTROYED IN A HUMANE MANNER. A lethal injection of pentobarbital sodium or an equivalent, administered by a veterinarian.
EXPOSED TO RABIES. A dog has been exposed to rabies if it has been bitten by any animal known to be or suspected of being infected with rabies or has come in contact with a rabid animal.
KENNEL. A building, enclosure, or portion of any premises in or at which dogs are boarded or kept for hire or for sale; in or at which dogs are kept or maintained by any person other than the owner thereof; or in or at which six or more dogs over the age of six months are kept or maintained.
OWNER. Any person, firm, corporation, organization or department possessing harboring, keeping, having an interest in, or having control or custody of an animal. If the OWNER is a juvenile, a parent or other custodian of such juvenile shall for the purposes of this chapter, be treated as the OWNER of the animal.
NEUTERING (CASTRATION). The surgical procedure during which both testicles are removed in order to sterilize (make infertile) a male animal, therefore stopping its ability to reproduce. The owner must be able to provide suitable proof of surgery.
RESTRAINT. Any dog controlled by a leash, at heel beside a competent person and obedient to that person’s commands. Animals may be on or within a vehicle being driven or parked on the streets, or within the property limit of its owner. Voice command is not an acceptable method of RESTRAINT.
SPAYED. The surgical procedure used to completely remove the ovaries and uterus in order to sterilize a female animal, therefore stopping its ability to reproduce. The owner must be able to provide suitable proof of surgery.
STRAY ANIMAL. Any animal at large, the owner of which cannot be ascertained.
(Prior Code, § 8.02.010) (Ord. 1, passed 1-17-1980; Ord. 79, passed 5-20-1996; Ord. 2019-8, passed 8-19-2019; Ord. 2021-12, passed 12-20-2021)