For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADULT DOG. A dog over five months of age.
ANIMAL. Any live vertebrate or invertebrate creature, either domestic or wild.
ANIMAL AT LARGE. An animal shall be deemed to be at large when off the property of the owner and not under restraint or control.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. Any person designated by the Iowa County Sheriff's Department or the village to enforce village ordinances and state statutes, adopted by reference, as they pertain to animal control.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Animal shelters are facilities that are used to impound or harbor at least 25 seized, stray, abandoned, or unwanted dogs, cats, or other animals in a year's time. A shelter may be operated by a governmental unit or a licensed veterinarian. It may also be a facility that promotes the welfare, protection and humane treatment of animals, such as those operated by humane societies, animal welfare societies or similar nonprofit associations.
CONFINED. Restriction of an animal at all times by the owner, or his agent, to an escape proof building or other enclosure.
COUNTY POUND. A shelter where stray, impounded, lost or abandoned animals are kept and administered by Iowa County or its authorized agent.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. Any animal which normally can be considered tame and converted to home life.
DWELLING UNIT. A building, or portion thereof, designed or used exclusively for residential purposes.
EXOTIC DOMESTIC ANIMAL. Any wild animal which is not native to Wisconsin and may have been domesticated, such as ferrets and primates.
FARM ANIMALS. Cattle, sheep, swine, goats, farm-raised deer, horses, mules, poultry and other equines.
HEALTH OFFICER. The Iowa County Director of Health or a duly designated representative of the Iowa County Department of Public Health.
HUMANE CARE. Includes the provision of adequate and accessible food and water, as well as heating, cooling, ventilation, sanitation, shelter and medical care consistent with the normal requirements, based on the animal's size, species and breed. The animal must also be provided space and opportunity for exercise.
KENNEL. A facility where dogs or cats are kept for 24 hours or more for boarding, training or similar purposes for compensation. KENNEL does not include an animal shelter or a facility owned or operated by a veterinarian where animals are boarded only in conjunction with the provision of veterinary care.
LICENSING AUTHORITY. The municipality (Village Treasurer) or its delegated collecting agent.
MINIMUM AGE SALE. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) must establish minimum ages for the animals sold by persons required to be licensed.
OWNER. Any person who owns, harbors or keeps an animal. Where an animal is kept by a family, the adult owner(s) shall be responsible for the requirements of this chapter. Any animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed and sheltered.
PET BREEDERS. Individuals, other than pet dealers, who sell or offer to sell at least 25 dogs or cats for resale as pets in a year.
PET DEALERS. Individuals, other than pet breeders, who sell or offer to sell at retail, exchange or offer for adoption at least 25 mammals (with some exceptions, such as livestock) for adoption as pets in a single year.
PUBLIC NUISANCES. Any animal or animals which:
(1) Attacks, harasses or molests passersby or passing vehicles.
(2) Attacks persons or animals without provocation.
(3) Trespasses on school grounds, parks or cemeteries.
(4) Is repeatedly at large.
(5) Damages private or public property.
(6) Barks, whines or howls in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion.
RESTRAINT. Securing an animal by a leash or lead; having an animal under the control of a responsible person and obedient to that person's command; or having the animal within the real property limits of its owner.
SHELTER. An enclosure to protect animals from the elements and a structure that provides a clean, healthy living environment.
SURRENDER STERILE. A surgical procedure (neutering or spaying) that has been performed on an animal that renders it incapable of siring or bearing offspring.
TRAINED INDIVIDUAL. Has the meaning as defined in Wisconsin Administrative Code, ATCP 13.
TRANSPORTATION. Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) regulations must cover the transportation or moving of animals by persons required to be licensed.
VETERINARIAN. Has the meaning as defined in Wisconsin Administrative Code, ATCP 13.
VETERINARY HOSPITAL/CLINIC. Any establishment maintained and operated by a licensed veterinarian for surgery, diagnosis and treatment of disease and injuries of animals.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any animal that, when unprovoked, inflicts bites or that injures, kills or attacks a human being or domestic animal on either public or private property. Notwithstanding the preceding:
(1) No animal may be declared vicious if death, injury or damage is sustained by a person who, at the time such was sustained, was committing a trespass of the land or criminal trespass of the dwelling upon premises occupied by the owner of the animal, or was teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the animal or was committing or attempting to commit a crime or violating or attempting to violate an ordinance which protects persons or property.
(2) No animal may be declared vicious if the animal was protecting or defending a human being within immediate vicinity of the animal from an unjustified attack or assault.
(3) No animal may be declared vicious for acts committed by said animal while being utilized by a law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes while under the control and direction of a law enforcement officer.
WILD ANIMAL. Any live raccoon, skunk, fox, wolf, poisonous snake or any snake exceeding three feet in length, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other cold- or warm-blooded animal, which can normally be found in the wild state.
(`99 Code, § 5.03) (Ord. 75, passed 3-2-90; Am. Ord. 92, passed 1-8-04)