The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Animal shelter means any premises designated by action of the city for the purposes of impounding and caring for any animal found running at large in violation of this chapter.
At large means any dog or cat when it is off the property of its owner and not under physical control of a competent person.
City animal control officer means the person designated by the city as its enforcement officer.
County animal warden means the person designated by the county as its enforcement officer.
Dangerous dog means a dog that:
(1) Without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person; or
(2) Is determined by the person or board designated by the county or municipal authority responsible for animal control to be potentially dangerous because the dog has engaged in one (1) or more of the behaviors listed under the definition of "potentially dangerous dog"; or
(3) Is owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or any dog trained for dog fighting; or
(4) Has inflicted a bite on a person that resulted in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations or required cosmetic surgery or hospitalization.
Kennel means any person engaged in the commercial business of breeding, buying, selling or boarding five (5) or more dogs or cats.
Owner means any person that owns, keeps or harbors a dog or cat.
Owner's real property means any real property owned or leased by the owner of the animal, but does not include any public right-of-way or a common area of a condominium, apartment complex or townhouse development.
Potentially dangerous dog means a dog that the person or board designated by the county or municipal authority responsible for animal control determines to have:
(1) Inflicted an unprovoked bite on a person that resulted in medical attention; or
(2) Killed or inflicted severe injury upon a domestic animal when not on the owner's real property; or
(3) Approached a person when not on the owner's property in a vicious or terrorizing manner in an apparent attitude of attack.
Restraint means an animal that is:
(1) Controlled by a leash;
(2) Within a vehicle being driven or parked on the street and unable to bite or scratch persons outside the vehicle; or
(3) Within the property limits of its owner or keeper.
Severe injury means any physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations or required cosmetic surgery, hospitalization or medical attention.
(Ord. No. O-08-02-05-12, § 2, 2-5-08; Ord. No. O-18-10-02-1, § 2, 10-2-18)
Cross References: and rules of construction generally, § 1-3.
State Law References: dogs, G.S. § 67-4.1 et seq.