For the purpose of this chapter the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings ascribed to them respectively:
(A) “ANIMAL SHELTER.” The Rowan County Animal Shelter or any other facility designated by the Dog Warden to impound and care for a dog picked up by the Dog Warden for violation of this chapter.
(B) “DOG.” Any member of the canine species, male or female, of any age.
(C) “DOG WARDEN.” The Rowan County Dog Warden employed by the Rowan County Fiscal Court.
(D) “HUMANE SOCIETY.” Any person or organization operating from a fixed site and taking in or accepting stray or unwanted animals.
(E) “IMPOUNDED.” Having been received into the custody of a Police Officer, Code Enforcement Officer, Dog Warden, or any other empowered official.
(F) “KEEP.” Possessing, controlling, exercising or allowing to run at large.
(G) “KENNEL OPERATOR.” Any person engaged in the commercial business of breeding, buying, selling or boarding dogs and who owns, harbors or keeps five (5) or more dogs over the age of four (4) months.
(H) “OWNER.” Any person owning, keeping or harboring a dog.
(I) “PERSON.” Includes all natural persons, corporations, partnerships, firms, associations, governmental bodies, agencies and other entities.
(J) “PIT BULL DOG.” Any dog which exhibits those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club for American Staffordshire terrier, of Staffordshire bull terriers, or substantially conform to the standards established by the United Kennel Club for American pit bull terriers, including any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the bred of Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, or American pit bull terrier.
(K) “PUBLIC NUISANCE.” Any animal which molests passers-by or passing vehicles: attacks people or other animals; damages public or private property; is repeatedly at large; makes noise in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion; or disturbs the peace, comfort or health of persons in any other manner.
(L) “RESTRAINED.” Enclosed in an area by a form of fencing (including invisible fencing) designed to control the movement of the dog or secured by a leash or chain.
(M) “RUNNING AT LARGE.” On or off the premises of the owner and not under the immediate effective control of the owner or custodian either by leash, cord, or chain or effectively restrained on the owner's premises.
(N) “VICIOUS DOG.” Any pit bull dog or other dog which has caused death or serious injury to a person engaged in a lawful activity or which has attacked or bitten without provocation a person engaged in a lawful activity; or which has killed or seriously injured another animal after the Police Department or Code Enforcement Officer or Dog Warden has issued, based upon the vicious or predatory nature of the dog, a written or verbal notice to the owner or custodian of such dog to keep it restrained in accordance with this chapter.
(Ord. passed 3-14-73; Am. Ord. 26:97, passed 8-25-97; Am. Ord. 05:2003, passed 3-10-03)
Statutory reference:
Dogs, KRS Chapter 258