For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED ANIMAL and TO ABANDON. Any animal in which the owner has relinquished all of such owner’s right, title, claim and possession with the intention of not reclaiming such animal or resuming the ownership, possession or enjoyment thereof.
ANIMAL. Any domestic or wild animal of a species that is susceptible to rabies, inclusive of livestock.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. The person appointed to serve in the capacity of animal control officer of the town or assistant of the animal control officer of the town.
CONFINED or CONFINEMENT. Of an animal shall mean confined within a building or home, or within a fenced yard or premises, so that the animal cannot escape from said building, house or fenced yard or premises without human assistance.
DANGEROUS ANIMAL. Any dog, cat or other animal that, without clear provocation:
(1) Bites or attacks humans;
(2) In a vicious or terrorizing manner approaches any person in an apparent attitude of attack, whether or not the attack is consummated or capable of being consummated; or
(3) Any animal that commits an unprovoked attack on a person or animal on public or private property.
ENCLOSURE. A barn, shed or fence, constructed of wood, masonry, chain link or any combination thereof, sufficient to contain any animal or fowl kept therein.
FOWL. A bird of any kind.
INHUMANE TREATMENT. Any treatment to any animal which deprives the animal of necessary sustenance, including food, water or protection from weather, or any treatment of any animal such as overloading, overworking, tormenting, beating, mutilating or teasing, or other abnormal treatment as may be determined by the town’s animal control officer or a law enforcement officer.
LIVESTOCK. Animals commonly considered as livestock (see § 90.15(C)).
NUISANCE ANIMAL OR FOWL. Any of the following: any animal or fowl which molests passers-by or passing vehicles; attacks other animals; damages private or public property; barks, whines or howls in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion; or is a free-roaming animal that bears no means of identifying the owner thereof.
OWNER. Any person owning, keeping, in charge of, in control of, maintaining or harboring one or more animals or fowl; or any person (other than the lien holder) having any interest legal or equitable, in the title to any property, real, personal or mixed, and includes a lessee, tenant, bailee or other person entitled to the use and possession thereof.
OWNER IDENTIFICATION TAG. A metal tag designed for attachment to the collar of a dog or cat containing the name, current address and telephone number of the owner of such animal.
RABIES VACCINATION TAG. A metal tag issued by a veterinarian licensed to practice in the state, showing the year of vaccination by shape, code or year stamped thereon.
RUN AT LARGE, RUNNING AT LARGE or AT LARGE. These terms shall mean any canine, feline or animal, livestock or fowl, not under direct physical (not verbal) control of its owner or keeper, on the streets, sidewalks, or other public or private places, as well as that such is found outside its enclosure in which the animal is required to be kept by the terms of this chapter. It shall be presumed that any animal found RUNNING AT LARGE was permitted or allowed to do so by the owner or keeper thereof.
SWINE. This term includes both hogs and pigs of any kind.
UNPROVOKED. With respect to an attack by an animal, means that the animal was not hit, kicked or struck by a person with an object or part of a person’s body nor was any part of the animal’s body pulled, pinched or squeezed by a person.
QUARANTINE. Complete and total isolation in such a place and in such a manner and for a period of time as may be prescribed by this chapter.
WILD ANIMAL. Any animal not ordinarily tame or domesticated, or which by its very nature has propensities toward inflicting serious bodily harm. Any animal or reptile which, in its natural state, possess dangerous or vicious propensities and includes, but is not limited to, coyotes, wolves, bears, wildcats (puma, bobcat, lynx), lions, tigers, poisonous snakes, alligators, crocodiles and monkeys, whether or not said animal or reptile has been tamed.
(Ord. 2005-10, passed 12-28-2005)