For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“ABANDON.” To forsake entirely, or to neglect or refuse to provide or perform the legal obligations for care and support of an animal by its owner, or his or her agent. Such abandonment shall constitute the relinquishment of all rights and claims by the owner to such animal.
“ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER.” A civilian employee who is hired by the city in a full or part-time capacity, for the purpose of humanely capturing animals that are considered to be running at large within the City of Falmouth.
“AT LARGE.” Off the premises of the owner, and not under the direct control of the owner or his or her agent either by leash, cord, chain, or otherwise. Direct control includes the power to manage and direct the animal and is not limited to physical control.
“DOMESTIC ANIMAL.” Animals that are habituated to live in or about the habitations of human beings, and which are kept, cared for, sheltered, fed, or harbored for use as a pet or as a source of food. raw materials, or income.
“EXOTIC ANIMAL.” Any animal not indigenous to the United States.
“LIVESTOCK.” Cattle, sheep, swine, goats, emus, ostriches, horses, chickens, turkeys, pigeons, ducks, rabbits, or any other animals of the bovine, ovine, porcine, caprine, ratite, or equine species, or domestic fowl, or leporida species; provided, however, that a service or therapeutic animal with proper documentation, kept for medical purposes, and registered with the city, shall not be considered livestock.
“OWNER.” Every person having a right of property to an animal and every person who keeps or harbors an animal, has it in his or her care, or permits it to remain on or about the premises owned or occupied by him or her.
“PIT BULL DOG.” Any pit bull terrier, which shall be herein defined as a Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog or any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier or American Pit Bull Terrier, or which has predominate physical characteristics which are those of either the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier or the American Pit Bull Terrier, as to be identifiable as partially of the breed of Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier by a qualified veterinarian duly licensed as such by the Commonwealth.
“POLICE OFFICER.” A sworn police officer for the City of Falmouth, responsible for the safety and protection of the citizens of Falmouth.
“WILD ANIMAL.” Any animal not domesticated or not ordinarily tame and which by its nature an animal that lives apart from human beings.
(Am. Ord. 130.032, passed 7-11-01; Am. Ord. 130.033, passed 3-4-03; Am. Ord. 2007-130.035, passed 8-16-07; Am. Ord. 2013-130.40, passed 11-12-13; Am. Ord. 2017-130.40, passed 12-8-15)