For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DANGEROUS DOG. Any dog deemed dangerous in accordance with G.S. Chapter 67, Article 1A - Dangerous Dogs.
DOG. Both male and female, more than three months old.
EXOTIC ANIMALS. Exotic animals are dangerous because of their vicious propensities and capabilities; the gravity of harm inflected by their attack; and unpredictability despite attempts at domestication. The category of EXOTIC ANIMALS includes, but is not limited to: reptiles which are poisonous or constricting; nonhuman primates weighing greater than 25 pounds; members of the feline family other than domestic house cats, including, but not limited to, lions, tigers and leopards; and reptiles which are a member of the crocodile family, including, but not limited to, alligators and crocodiles.
HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD. The person who maintains the household or, if no one person maintains the house, the oldest person residing in that household.
KEEPER. One who care for an animal belonging to another.
OWNER. Any person owning, keeping, or harboring a pet, and for the purpose hereof the head of a household shall be deemed to be the OWNER in respect to any pet owned, kept, or harbored on the premises by any person residing in that household.
PET. Any domesticated animal such as dog, cat or bird.
VICIOUS OR DANGEROUS PET. Any pet which has bitten one or more persons without provocation, or one in which the propensity to attack humans exists, and such propensity is known or ought reasonably be known to the owner.
WILD ANIMALS. Any animals not normally domesticated. For the purposes of this section, WILD ANIMALS are deemed inherently dangerous. They are deemed as such because of their vicious propensities and capabilities; the likely gravity of harm inflicted by their attack; and unpredictability despite attempts at domestication. The category of WILD ANIMALS includes, but is not limited to: members of the Canidae family such as wolves, coyotes and hybrids of those breeds; members of the Urdidae family which includes any members of the bear family or hybrids thereof; and members of the Felidae family such as wild cats, cougars, mountains lions or panthers.
(‘85 Code, § 5-1.1) (Ord. 10.1-88, passed 8-1-88; Am. Ord. 02-08, passed 5-27-02; Am. Ord. 14-15, passed 12-9-14; Am. Ord. 16-06, passed 2-16-16)