For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICER. Any employee by delegation of the Cleveland County Animal Services Director that performs duties related to the investigation and enforcement of violations of animal control activities carried out by the county.
DOG LOT. Any area enclosed or limited by any type of fence, wall, barrier or other form of enclosure, and which is used at any time to confine or limit the mobility of any dog.
DOG SHELTER. Any type of structure or construction whatsoever which is used to provide any form or degree of shelter from the natural elements for any dog.
INTEGRAL PART. Any structure or any part, portion, division or area of any structure which is connected, joined or in any manner attached to the principal or larger portion of a residence.
KEEPER. Any person, not an owner, who shall have possession or control of any dog by permission of and with knowledge of the dog's owner, and who shall be charged by the owner, either explicitly or implicitly, with the care of such dog, either gratis or for compensation.
KEEPING MAINTENANCE. Allowing a dog to remain on or about one's premises or providing food, shelter, protection, personal care or any combination of such activities to such dog.
NEIGHBORING RESIDENTS. Any persons who shall reside, work or regularly remain for substantial periods of time within any area wherein disturbing or annoying sounds emitted or caused by any dog may be heard by such persons.
OWNER. That person or any of those persons who shall either list such dogs as a possession for any tax purposes; or shall obtain for such dogs any type of preventive or remedial medical care; or shall provide to any dog on a periodic basis either food, shelter or protection.
PERSON IN CONTROL OF A DOG. The owner, keeper or any other person possessing actual physical control over the conduct, whereabouts, care or behavior of a dog by permission of the owner, by force of law or otherwise.
TETHER. Any rope, chain, cable, leash, line or other pliable device which is firmly attached to a fixed location at some point and which shall be firmly attached to a dog at another point and which acts to confine a dog to a specific geographical area.
THREATENING DISPOSITION. A demonstrated tendency to threaten or a habit of threatening imminent attack by charging; advancing upon; snarling, snapping or lunging at; or otherwise apparently attempting to injure or intimidate any person or animal without reasonable provocation or justification.
VICIOUS. A predisposition or tendency to attack, bite, snap at, injure or display overt aggression toward humans or animals without reasonable provocation or justification.
(Ord. 22-02, passed 1-25-2022)