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:
DANGEROUS DOG. Means and includes:
(1) Any dog that bites or attacks a person or domestic animal without provocation;
(2) Any dog that bites or attacks and causes serious injury or death to another domestic animal while the domestic animal is on the property or under the control of its owner;
(3) Any dog with known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack or to otherwise endanger the safety of people or other domestic animals;
(4) Any dog that chases or snaps at a pedestrian, bicyclist or vehicle;
(5) Any dog that charges a person in a manner that restricts the person’s freedom of movement by placing the person in reasonable fear of an imminent attack (the person must be lawfully on the property where the charge occurs and this does not apply to an animal tormented by the person);
(6) Any dog that molests passers-by or persons on adjoining property by viciously, continuously and aggressively barking or growling; or
(7) Any dog deemed a dangerous dog by a court of law.
DOG. Canine.
DOMESTIC ANIMALS. Animals that are tame, kept and controlled by an owner.
KENNEL. A place where more than 3 dogs are kept.
OWNER. Any natural person or any other legal entity having a possessory right in a dog, or who harbors, cares for, exercises control over, or knowingly permits any dog to remain on its premises occupied by such person or entity.
PROVOKE. To perform a willful act or omission that an ordinary and reasonable person would conclude is likely to precipitate the bite or attack by an ordinary dog or animal.
RUNNING AT LARGE. Permitting any dog to leave the premises of its owner without being on a leash and under the control of a person physically able to control the dog; or any dog on private property not enclosed, restrained or kept in such a manner so as to prevent it from entering upon a street, public place, or premises of another.
SERIOUS INJURY. Any physical injury that results in broken bones or lacerations that require sutures, cosmetic surgery, or other medical care and treatment.
TORMENT. An act or omission that causes unjustifiable pain, suffering, and distress to an animal, or causes mental and emotional anguish in the animal as evidenced by its altered behavior, for a purpose such as sadistic pleasure, coercion, or punishment that an ordinary and reasonable person would conclude is likely to precipitate the bite or attack.
(Ord. 271, passed 12-15-2008; Am. Ord. 276, passed 7-7-2011)