The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(a) "Abandon." The voluntary relinquishment of an animal with no intention to retain possession and shall include but shall not be limited to vacating a premises and leaving the animal in or at the premises, or failing to feed the animal or allowing it to stray or wander onto private or public property with the intention of surrendering ownership or custody over said animal.
(b) "Animal." Shall be defined for the purposes of this chapter to be any animal that may be found in the care, custody, control or ownership of human beings.
(c) "Animal Control Officer/Dog Warden." The person(s) appointed or designated by the City Manager for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, including, without limitation, police officers, of the City.
(d) "At large or running at large." Refers to any animal being upon any public street, highway, alley, park or any other public land, or upon property of another person other than the owner, and not being accompanied by or under the physical control of the owner or any other person having custody of such animal.
(e) "City kennel." The facility operated by the City for the purpose of impounding animals under the authority of this chapter or state law for care, confinement, return to owner or euthanasia.
(f) "Confined/confinement." Being locked up, constrained or isolated.
(g) "Dangerous animal." An animal which:
(1) Has bitten, or attempted to bite, any person or animal without undue provocation, or which attacks or barks or growls at and acts as if it intends to attack or bite, or bites a person, persons, or animal, when not unduly provoked; or
(2) Has behaved in such a manner that the owner thereof knows or should reasonably know that the animal has tendencies to attack or bite human beings or other animals; or
(3) Is 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; or
(4) Commits an attack on a person or animal without provocation; or
(5) Is ordered by the owner or any other person(s) to attack and does so causing fear or injury.
(h) "Disposed of." Refers to euthanizing or transferring to another facility.
(i) "Euthanize." The humane killing of an animal generally performed by a licensed veterinarian, or personnel at an animal control facility.
(j) "Impoundment." Placing an animal in the animal control vehicle or unit; taking an animal into custody by physical control, trapping or other means; or holding an animal in custody at the City Kennel or its authorized agent.
(k) "Keeper." Any person, firm or corporation owning, keeping, possessing, harboring or having the care or custody of an animal herein referred to.
(l) "Owner." Any person, firm, or corporation having a right of property in any animal, keeping, possessing, harboring or having the care or custody of an animal within the City for a period of three days or more, as well as any person, firm, corporation occupying any premise within the City which permits any animal to remain on or about its premise for a period of three or more days.
(m) "Person." Includes any natural person, association, firm, partnership or organization or corporation.
(n) "Provoke." With respect to an attack by an animal, that the animal was hit, kicked, or struck by a person with an object or part of person’s body or that any part of the animal’s body is pulled, pinched, or squeezed by a person.
(o) "Public nuisance." Any animal or animals which:
(1) Chase, frighten or otherwise intimidate passersby or passing vehicles;
(2) Attack other animals;
(3) Trespass;
(4) Are repeatedly at large;
(5) Damage private or public property; or
(6) Bark, whine, scratch, howl, smell or make excessive noise as to disturb or unduly annoy the public in continuous or untimely fashion.
(7) Create an unsanitary condition of obnoxious or foul odors.
(p) "Restraint." An animal is controlled by leash or tether, either of which shall not exceed six feet in length except for retractable leashes which can be controlled to prevent the animal from extending the leash to another person, by a competent person or within a vehicle, trailer or other conveyance being driven, pulled or parked on the street, or confined within the property limits of its owner or keeper.
(q) "Shelter." A structure designed to keep the animal dry and protected from the elements. Such shelter shall be fully enclosed on three sides, roofed, and have a solid floor. The entrance to the shelter shall be sufficiently flexible to allow the animal’s entry and exit, and sturdy enough to block the entry of wind or rain. The shelter shall be small enough to retain the animal’s body heat and large enough to allow the animal to stand and turn comfortably. The shelter shall be structurally sound and in good repair.
(r) "Special care rate." Rate charged for impounded animals that need additional care because of sickness or injury and for those animals that has shown or has aggressive behavior as determined by the Animal Control Officer/Dog Warden.
(s) "Vaccination." An injection of U.S. Department of Agriculture approved rabies vaccine administered by a veterinarian.
(t) "Veterinarian." Refers to a person who holds an active license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Pennsylvania.
All other words and phrases used herein shall be interpreted according to their usual and customary usage in the language.
(Ord. 4968. Passed 8-10-05.)