For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONMENT. A situation in which an owner of an animal or pet does not provide for humane disposal of the animal or pet, or transfer ownership to a responsible person, or who does not provide or arrange for adequate food, water, shelter and care.
ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICERS. The persons designated by the Public Safety Department as the enforcement officers of the provisions of this chapter.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Any premises designated by the City Council for the purpose of impoundment, care or destruction of animals or pets found in violation of this chapter.
ANIMALS. Any live, vertebrate creature, domestic or wild, which shall be held to include all brute creatures that are kept as pets.
AT LARGE. An animal which is off the property and/or premises of the owner or keeper and not under physical control by owner or keeper by means of a leash or similar physical restraining device.
CITY. The incorporated portions of the City of Folly Beach, South Carolina.
DANGEROUS DOG.
(1) A dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals;
(2) A dog which attacks a human being or domestic animal without provocation;
(3) A dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dogfighting or a dog trained for dogfighting; and
(4) Trained guard or attack dogs.
DIVISION. The animal services division of the Public Safety Department.
OWNER.
(1) Any person who:
(a) Has a property right in a pet or an animal;
(b) Keeps or harbors a pet or an animal or who has it in his or her care or acts as its custodian; or
(c) Permits a pet or animal to remain in or about any premises occupied by him or her.
(2) There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a person has a property right in an animal if that person keeps or harbors a pet or animal or has an animal in his or her care or acts as its custodian for 21 consecutive days.
PET. All mammals of the order carnivore, including dogs and cats.
RESTRAINT. When a pet or animal is on the premises of its owner or keeper or when a pet is accompanied by owner or keeper and is physically controlled by a leash or similar physical device.
SPAYED FEMALE. Any female dog or cat which has been operated on to prevent conception.
VACCINATION AGAINST RABIES. The injection, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or otherwise, of anti-rabid vaccine as approved by the Department of Agriculture/Veterinary Biologics Division, administered by a licensed veterinarian.
(`95 Code, § 6-3-1) (Ord. 89-2, passed 11-17-89; Am. Ord. 07-99, passed 2-16-99; Am. Ord. 03-02, passed 3-26-02)