ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION OR ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINATION: A decision or determination by an official pursuant to this title, not resulting in a citation.
ANIMAL: Every living creature, except members of the human race.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER: Any person employed by the City of Mesquite and responsible for the enforcement of this title and State Statutes pertaining to animals.
ANIMAL SHELTER: Any place designated by the City Manager for the confinement of animals in the custody of the City pursuant to the provisions of this title.
AT LARGE: Any animal off the property of the owner not confined or contained by the owner, caretaker or responsible party's property or under the control of a leash.
BITE: A puncture or tear of the skin inflicted by the teeth of an animal.
CAT: Any domestic cat (Felis sylvestris catus).
CITY: Those areas within the boundaries of the incorporated City of Mesquite.
DOG: Any male or female dog (Canis familiaris).
FERRET: Any domestic ferret (Mustela furo).
FOWL: Any live member of the category of birds typically kept for the production of eggs, meat or feathers, whether or not that individual member is itself actually kept for the production of eggs, meat or feathers. This definition shall explicitly include, but is not limited to, all chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, peacocks, ostriches and emus.
HEALTH OFFICER: The Chief Health Officer of the Southern Nevada Health District or his or her designee.
LEASH: Leash means any rope, leather strap, chain, retractable leash or other material not exceeding six feet (6') in length, being held in the hand of a person capable of controlling and actually controlling the animal to which it is attached. Electronically operated devices and retractable leashes extended beyond six feet (6') are not recognized as a leash.
OWNER: Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or having care, custody and control over any animal.
POLICE CHIEF: The chief law enforcement officer of the City of Mesquite or his or her designee.
RESTRAINT OR RESTRAINED: An animal secured by a leash, cable, cord, chain or similar device or restrained within the property limits of its owner or keeper by way of a fence, cage or other device.
STRAY ANIMAL: Any animal not restrained by a leash, cable, cord, chain or similar device or restrained within the property limits of its owner or keeper by way of a fence, cage, or other device.
TORTURE AND CRUELTY: Every act or omission whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering or death is caused to an animal.
VETERINARIAN: A licensed graduate doctor of veterinary medicine. (Ord. 433, 1-26-2010, eff. 3-1-2010; amd. Ord. 532, 1-9-2018, eff. 1-31-2018)