For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any live creature, both domestic and wild, except humans. ANIMAL also includes fowl, fish, and reptiles.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. Some person or agency appointed to be responsible for the care and maintenance of the animal shelter and who shall work with other law enforcement officials in the enforcement of this chapter.
ANIMAL SHELTER. A building and facilities therein approved by the City Council for the impoundment of animals.
CRUELTY. Any act or omission whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering, or death of an animal is caused or permitted including failure to provide proper drink, air, space, shelter, protection from the elements, sanitary and safe living environment, veterinary care, or nutritious food in siphoned quantity. In the case of activities where physical pain is necessarily caused such as medical and scientific research, food processing, customary and normal veterinary and agricultural husbandry practices, pest elimination, and animal training and hunting, CRUELTY shall mean a failure to employ the most humane method reasonably available.
DISTURBANCE. The act of disturbing the peace and quiet of the neighborhood by continuous barking or making other loud or unusual noises.
IMPOUND. Taking into custody of an animal by any police officer, animal control officer, or any authorized representative thereof.
LEASH. A cord, thong, or chain by which an animal is controlled by the person accompanying it.
NUISANCE. The act of destroying, defacing property, causing injury to persons or domestic animals.
OWNER. Any person keeping, having in their custody or control, or maintaining an animal. The occupant of any premises on which an animal remains or to which it customarily returns daily for a period of ten days is presumed to be keeping the animal within the meaning of this chapter.
RUNNING AT LARGE. An animal when off or away from the premises and not under the control of the owner, possessor, keeper, agent, servant, or a member of his or her immediate family by a leash. Also, an animal when on the premises of the owner, possessor, keeper, agent, or servant if not attended by a competent person unless the animal is chained, restrained, enclosed, or confined in a manner preventing it from leaving the premises.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any animal which, in a vicious or terrorizing manner, approaches in an apparent attitude to attack, bite, inflict injury, assault, or otherwise attack a person or other animal whether on public or private property provided that the animal has not been provoked to do so by teasing, tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the animal.
(Prior Code, § 6.1)