For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALTERED ANIMAL. An animal that has been operated on to prevent it from procreating.
ANIMAL. Any living, nonhuman vertebrate creature.
ANIMAL CONCESSION. Any person who for compensation has any animal available for hire or on display.
ANIMAL CONTROL. The Lake County Animal Control Shelter.
AT LARGE. Not confined without means of escape in a cage, corral, house, pen, vehicle, yard, or other secure enclosure, unless otherwise under the control of a competent person.
CIRCUS. A commercial variety show which includes animal acts for public entertainment.
COMMERCIAL ANIMAL EXHIBIT. A display or show of wild, domestic, or exotic animals in a shopping center, retail establishment, adjacent lot, or elsewhere, for the purpose of promotion of retail sales.
DIRECTOR. The Director of the Lake County Animal Control Shelter of or the acting head of the Lake County Animal Control Shelter.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. A cat, cow, dog, goat, horse, jackass, llama, mule, pony, poultry, rabbit, sheep, or swine.
GROOMING SHOP. An establishment where animals are bathed, clipped, plucked, or otherwise groomed.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT. The Lake County Health Department.
KEEPER. To keep or to permit any domestic animal to frequent or remain on or within one's building, enclosure, house, premises, or property, and to feed, lodge or otherwise care for such an animal.
LICENSED VETERINARIAN. A person licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Indiana.
PERSON. An individual, corporation, partnership, or other association or organization, but shall exclude the following:
(1) Police officers, federal or state armed forces, park rangers, game wardens, conservation officers, and other such governmental agencies, with respect to actions which constitute a discharge of their official duties; and
(2) An individual, partnership, corporation, or other association, organization, or institution of higher education, which is registered as a research facility with the United States Secretary of Agriculture under 7 U.S.C. §§ 2131 et seq., commonly known as the Animal Welfare Act, while engaged in the course of their performance as such.
PET SHOP. A person, group of persons, partnership or corporation, whether operated separately or in connection with another business enterprise, except a licensed cattery, kennel, or breeder, that buys, sells, or offers for sale any species of animals.
PIT BULL.
(1) Any and all of the following dogs:
(a) The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dogs;
(b) The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dogs;
(c) The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dogs;
(d) Dogs which have the appearance and characteristics of being predominately of the breeds of dogs known as Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier.
(2) The registration of a dog at any time in any jurisdiction as a Pit Bull or any of the dogs listed above shall constitute prima facie evidence the animal is prohibited by this section.
PLANNED BREEDING. The act of having two animals mate for purpose of procreation.
RESTRAINT. Confinement without means of escape by placing an animal in a cage, corral, house, pen, vehicle, yard or other secure enclosure, or under the control of a person by use a leash or other securing device.
SERVICE ANIMAL. An animal that a person who is impaired by:
(1) Blindness or any other visual impairment;
(2) Deafness or any other aural impairment;
(3) A physical disability; or
(4) A medical condition;
relies for navigation, assistance in performing daily activities, or alert signals regarding the onset of the person's medical condition.
TETHER. Attaching a dog to a stationary object or pulley run by means of a chain, rope, tether, cable, or similar restraint.
WILD ANIMAL. Any live animal which can normally be found in the wild state and shall include but not be limited to an alligator, coyote, crocodile, fox, leopard, lion, lynx, monkey, non-human primate, panther, poisonous or constricting snake, squirrel, tiger, or wolf, as well as an animal which is crossbred with any wild animal.
ZOOLOGICAL PARK. A permanent establishment that is:
(1) A member of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums; or
(2) An agency of local government, open to and administered for the public, to provide education, conservation, and preservation of the earth's fauna.
(Ord. 1280C, passed 10-10-2006)