For use in this chapter, the following terms are defined:
1. "Administrative Official" means the City Administrator or the Police Chief, who shall have the legal managerial authority over the policies and procedures and day to day operation, oversight, and enforcement of this chapter.
2. "Dangerous animal" means the following animals: †
A. Badgers, wolverines, weasels, skunk and mink.
B. Raccoons.
C. Bats.
3. "Owner" means any person who owns, possesses, keeps, exercises control over, maintains, harbors, transports or sells an animal.
4. "Pit bull" means any dog that is an American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, or any dogs of mixed or other breeds whose lineage includes those breeds of dog regardless of the percentage of lineage.
5. "Secure temporary enclosure" means a secure enclosure used for purposes of transporting a pit bull and which includes a top and bottom permanently attached to the sides except for a door for removal of the pit bull. Such enclosure must be of such material, and such door closed and secured in such a manner that the pit bull cannot exit the enclosure on its own or have the capacity to bite any person either handling or in close proximity to the enclosure.
6. "Vicious animal" means any animal, except for a dangerous animal as listed above, that has attacked, bitten or clawed a person while running at large and the attack was unprovoked, or any animal that has exhibited vicious tendencies in present or past conduct, including such that said animal: (i) has bitten or clawed a person or persons on two separate occasions within a 12-month period; or (ii) did bite or claw once causing injuries above the shoulders of a person; or (iii) could not be controlled or restrained by the owner at the time of the attack to prevent the occurrence; or (iv) has attacked any domestic animal or fowl on three separate occasions within a 12-month period.
Notes
| † | † EDITOR'S NOTE: Certain other dangerous animals, listed in Chapter 717F.1, Paragraph 5a, of the Code of Iowa, are specifically prohibited and regulated by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. |