For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any vertebrae creature imported, exotic or domesticated.
DOMESTICATED LIVESTOCK. Any animal raised for profit.
NUISANCE. When the owner of an animal allows said animal to violate any of the following:
(1) Running at large, not being under the owner’s control, not being confined to a cage, leash, tether, fence or the like, or by any other means of restraint to prevent said animal from leaving the owner’s property;
(2) Molests or disturbs persons, vehicles or property by running, walking, chasing, digging, barking or biting;
(3) Consistently barks, whines, howls, meows, cries, squawks or makes any other noise excessively without having valid cause, thus disturbing the peace in the area that the animal is located;
(4) Defecates upon any public place or private property not owned or controlled by the animal’s owner himself or herself; note that if the owner of said animal immediately removes the waste, he or she shall not be held in violation;
(5) Creates noxious or offensive odors; or
(6) Creates an insect breeding or gathering site due to unsanitary conditions.
OWNER. Any person having purchased an animal, or having been given custody of an animal by another, thus harboring, having care of or having charge of, control of or possession of said animal.
PET. Any animal bought by, or given custody to, an individual for purposes of enjoyment, companionship, safety and other noncommercial purposes.
RUNNING AT LARGE. Any animal not confined within its owner’s property to prevent means of escape.
VETERINARIAN. A person licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state.
VICIOUS. Any animal which has:
(1) Attacked a person or another animal without having been provoked by that person or animal;
(2) Attacked at some place other than its owner’s property; or
(3) Chased or approached another living thing at other than its owner’s property in a menacing, threatening fashion or apparent attitude to attack.
WILD ANIMAL. Any animal not considered a pet residing inside the town limits.
(Ord. 1929-1, passed 9-9-; Ord. 1972-08, passed 10-16-1972; Ord. 1991-04, passed 5-6-1991; Ord. 97-01, passed 5-5-1997; Ord. 99-02, passed 6-7-1999)