For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them:
AT LARGE OR RUNNING AT LARGE: | An animal shall be deemed to be running at large when off or away from the owner’s premises and not under the complete control of the animal’s owner, possessor, keeper, agent, servant, or a member of the owner’s immediate family by a leash, verbal command, or remote pet collar. However, an animal present at a public gathering of ten (10) or more people, not including leash free parks, must be restrained by a leash and not by verbal command or remote pet collar. An animal is not to be deemed running at large if it is within the vehicle of the animal’s owner, possessor, keeper, agent, servant, or a member of the owner’s immediate family, or if the animal is within a posted leash free park as designated by the park and recreation board of the City of Mitchell. |
COMPLETE CONTROL: | A state where an animal is restrained by leash, verbal command, or remote pet collar from taking an action which is not desired by the animal’s owner, possessor, keeper, agent, servant, or a member of the owner’s immediate family and such restraint does actually prevent the animal from taking an undesired action. For verbal commands and remote pet collars to be deemed to be restraining the animal, the animal shall behave as if on a leash short enough to prevent trespass onto the private property of another, and in no event longer than fifty feet (50'). Examples of undesired actions include, but are not limited to, straying too far from the animal’s handler, not following handler commands, and making contact with another person without consent. An animal is not under complete control if the animal is the aggressor in an incident where the animal is declared to be a restricted animal or vicious animal. |
LEASH: | A cord, thong or chain by which an animal is controlled by the person accompanying it. |
OWNER: | Any person harboring or keeping an animal and who is the head of the household of the residence or the owner or manager in charge of the establishment or premises at which an animal remains or returns to is the owner of the animal within the meaning of this chapter. |
PET CONTROL OFFICER: | The person designated by the city council to be responsible for the enforcement of this chapter and who shall work with other law enforcement officials in the enforcement of this chapter. |
REMOTE PET COLLAR: | A collar worn by an animal that when signaled by remote control delivers an electrical shock to the animal. (1984 Code § 6-1; amd. Ord. 2395, 3-19-2012; Ord. O2022-08, 7-5-2022) |