For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED. To leave a dog or cat at large within the city without intending to return to or recover it. It shall also mean to purposefully leave a dog or cat in the possession of the Animal Warden to avoid paying impoundment and/or boarding costs.
ALTERED. Any female dog or cat that has been spayed or any male dog or cat that has been castrated.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. The City Council and/or any persons or agencies designated by the City Council. The Animal Control Officer's primary function involves enforcement of §§ 90.01 through 90.10, 90.25, 90.26, and 90.40 through 90.46 and other laws dealing with dogs or cats. The ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER shall also be construed to include any licensed law enforcement officer.
ANIMAL WARDEN. Any person or agency designated by the City Council to house, hold, confine, or board dogs or cats seized and/or impounded herein. The ANIMAL WARDEN shall be appointed and serve at the pleasure of the City Council.
AT LARGE. Off the premises of the owner and not under the physical control (by leash) of the owner, a member of the owner's immediate family, or a person designated by the owner.
BONA FIDE LIVESTOCK OPERATION. A farm (of 40 acres or more in size) on which horses, cows, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, or other common farm animals are kept, raised, bred, or sold as a part of a business enterprise.
CAT. Any animal wholly or in part of the species Felis domesticus.
DANGEROUS DOG and POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG. Have the meanings ascribed to those terms by M.S. § 347.50, as it may be amended from time to time, and specifically as follows:
(1) DANGEROUS DOG means any dog that has:
(a) Without provocation, inflicted substantial bodily harm on a human being on public or private property;
(b) Killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner's property; or
(c) Been found to be potentially dangerous, and after the owner has noticed that the dog is potentially dangerous, the dog aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of humans or domestic animals.
(2) POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG means any dog that:
(a) When unprovoked, inflicts bites on a human or domestic animal on public or private property;
(b) When unprovoked, chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public property in an apparent attitude of attack; or
(c) Has a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack, unprovoked, causing injury or otherwise threatening the safety of humans or domestic animals.
(3) The terms
DANGEROUS DOG and POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG shall also be construed to include similar classifications from other statutes or ordinances which are substantially in conformity with M.S. § 347.50, as it may be amended from time to time, whether or not the same words are used.
DOG. Any animal wholly or in part of the species Canis familiaris.
KENNEL. Any place where 4 dogs or more over 6 months are kept, raised, sold, boarded, bred, shown, treated, or groomed.
KENNEL, COMMERCIAL. Any place where 4 or more of any type of domestic pets over 6 months of age are kept, raised, boarded, bred, shown, trained, groomed or offered for sale, and where services are provided for a fee.
KENNEL, PRIVATE. Any place where 4 or more of any type of domestic pets over 6 months of age are owned by any member or members of the household.
OWNER. Any person or the parents or guardians of a person under 18 years of age who owns, harbors, keeps, or has custody of a dog or cat.
PERSON. Any individual, partnership, corporation, firm, or group, however organized.
PREMISES. The space of ground immediately surrounding a dwelling house and/or outbuildings.
(Prior Code, § 1401.010) (Ord. 7470, passed 10-15-1996)