For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACRE. Property containing 43,560 square feet.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. The Chief of Police, his or her designee or another person or persons employed by the city as its enforcement officer in the impoundment of animals, controlling of animals running at large, and as otherwise provided or required in this chapter.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Any premises designated by action of the Council for the purposes of impounding and caring for animals.
AT LARGE or RUNNING AT LARGE. Any animal when it is off the property of its owner and not under the control of a competent person. As applied to dogs, AT LARGE or RUNNING AT LARGE means:
(1) OFF PREMISES. Off the premises of its owner and not securely and physically restrained by means of chain, cord, harness, leash, rope or other device required to restrain the animal. Any animal within an automobile or other vehicle of its owner or owner’s agent shall not be deemed running at large.
(2) ON PREMISES. On the premises of the owner and not confined or at heel on those premises. Underground electronic fencing is acceptable, however, a sign must be clearly posted near the driveway of the residence.
DOMESTIC BIRDS. Canaries, parrots, parakeets, mynah birds, peacocks, birds of paradise or other birds tamed to the household or pertaining thereto.
EXOTIC ANIMAL.
(1) As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, any animal which is usually not a domestic animal and which can normally be found in the wild state, with or without vicious propensities. For purposes of this chapter, the list would include, but not be limited to the following.
(2) Within the scientific order, Carnivora; animals of the scientific family:
(a) Canidae, such as wolves, coyotes and jackals;
(b) Hybrids, any animal bred with an animal not from its own species; domestic dog bred with a wolf or wolf hybrid.
(c) Felidae, including but not limited to the genetic lineages: lynx, such as lynxes and bobcats; ocelot, such as ocelots and margay; panthers, such as lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars; puma, such as cougars (mountain lions) and cheetahs.
(d) Hyaenidae, such as hyenas.
(e) Ursidae, such as bears.
(f) Exotic animals would also include the Macaque genus primates (Asiatic monkeys).
(g) EXOTIC ANIMAL also includes snakes, rear-fanged and constrictors and anacondas, such as: Boidae, such as boa constrictors and anacondas. Elapidae, such as cobras and death adders. Pythonidae, such as pythons. Viperidae, including both true vipers and pit vipers, such as adders, asps, rattlesnakes, copperheads and cotton mouths.
EXPOSED TO RABIES. Any animal that has been bitten by, or exposed to any other animal known to have been infected with rabies and also any animal that has bitten a human or any other animal.
FOWL. Chickens, guineas, geese, ducks and pigeons.
IMPOUNDMENT. Placing an animal in the animal control vehicle or unit or holding an animal in custody at the animal control shelter.
KEEPER or OWNER. Any person, family, firm or corporation owning or actually keeping, having, using or maintaining any of the animals herein referred to.
KENNEL. Any place where any combination of four or more dogs older than four months of age are sheltered, fed and watered.
LARGE ANIMALS OR LIVESTOCK. Horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep or any other animal of similar size or stature.
NEUTER. To render a male dog or cat unable to reproduce.
NUISANCE. The conduct or behavior of any small or large animal, or dog which molests passers- by or passing vehicles; attacks other animals; damages private or public property; barks, whines, howls, crows or makes other noises in an excessive, continuous fashion which annoys the comfort, repose, health or safety of the people in the community; unconfined in season.
PERMIT. The permit issued by the City Clerk upon approval of the city.
PET ANIMAL. Any animal sold or kept for the purpose of being kept or domesticated as a household pet. PET ANIMAL includes but is not limited to dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, rats, mice, non-poisonous arachnids, non-poisonous insects, non-venomous snakes and fish.
POLICE DOG. For the purpose of this chapter, any dog used by the Police Department in the performance of the function or duties of the Department, or used by any Police Officer on the performance of any of the functions or duties of the Department or of the Police Officer.
PROVOKE or PROVOCATION. With respect to an attack by an animal, that the animal was hit, kicked or struck by a person with an object or any part of a person’s body, or that any part of the animal’s body is pulled, pinched or squeezed by a person.
RABIES. An acute viral disease of humans and warm-blooded animals that affects the central nervous system, and is usually fatal.
RAT-PROOF. The state of being constructed so as to effectively prevent entry of rats.
RESTRAINT. An animal is controlled by leash or tether, either of which shall not exceed six feet in length, by a competent person or within any vehicle, trailer or other conveyance being driven, pulled or parked on the street or confined within the property limits of its owner or keeper.
SANITARY. Any condition of good odor and cleanliness, which precludes the probability of disease transmission and insect breeding, and which preserves the health of the city.
SMALL ANIMALS. Rabbits, hares, guinea pigs, chinchillas, turkeys, fowl, hamsters, pigeons or any other animal of similar size or stature.
SPAY. To remove the ovaries of a female dog or cat in order to render the animal unable to reproduce.
TETHERING. The action of tying an animal with a rope, chain or other device so as to restrict the animal's movement.
VACCINATION. An injection of United States Department of Agriculture approved rabies vaccine administered every 12 calendar months by a licensed veterinarian.
VICIOUS ANIMAL.
(1) Any animal which has behaved in a manner that the owner thereof knows or should reasonably know that the animal is possessed of tendencies to attack or to bite human beings or other animals;
(2) Any animal certified by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, after observation thereof, as posing a danger to human life, animal life or property upon the basis of a reasonable medical probability;
(3) Any animal that commits an unprovoked attack on a person or animal on public or private property; or
(4) Any animal, unprovoked, that injures any person in such a manner as to cause severe or great bodily injury.
(Ord. 3198, passed 9-16-08; Am. Ord. 3295, passed 9-6-16; Am. Ord. 3357, passed 6-15-21)