For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONMENT. The act of giving up possession or control of an animal by its custodian without transferring ownership or control to a responsible person. Any person who keeps an animal in a place of captivity or under restraint with providing proper shelter, food or water for 24 hours or more may be found guilty of the crime of abandonment.
ANIMAL. Shall include all members of the Kingdom Animalia (including the classes Mammalia, Ayes, Reptilia, Amphibia, and Pisces) except human beings.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. Shall include any person employed by the County of Newberry to enforce the Animal Control Ordinances established by the County of Newberry and applicable state laws relating to animal control and welfare.
ANIMAL SHELTER. The facility funded and operated by the County of Newberry to house the county agency known as Newberry County Animal Care and Control and all animals which are in its care and custody for the purpose of impoundment, safe keeping, making available for adoption, or for euthanizing or disposing of these animals. It shall be open to the public Mondays through Fridays, 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., or at such other times as may be directed by the County Administrator or his or her designee.
AT LARGE. Shall describe any animal that is not on the property or the premises of the owner or guardian and is not under some form of physical control of the owner by means of a leash, cage or pen, or electronic collar or a similar restraining device.
CAT. Shall include any member of the feline family (including cougars, bobcats, lions, tigers, or any other cat. Domesticated cats are members of the feline family which are customarily regarded as domesticated, such as house cats, but excluding lions, tigers, cougars and bobcats, among others
DOG. Shall include any domesticated member of the canine family, and excludes non-domesticated canines, such as coyotes, wolves, and wolf-hybrids.
DANGEROUS ANIMAL. For purposes of this chapter, the term DANGEROUS ANIMAL has the same meaning as is set forth in S.C. Code § 47-3-710 as amended, and is subject to the exceptions set forth in Chapter 3 of Title 47.
IMPOUND. Impoundment occurs when custody of the animal is assumed by an Animal Control Officer, a representative of Newberry County Animal Care and Control, or an officer from Newberry County Sheriff's Office, City of Newberry Police Department, Town of Prosperity Police Department, Town of Whitmire Police Department, or an Officer from South Carolina Highway Patrol, so that it may be detained at Newberry County Animal Care and Control.
INOCULATION AGAINST RABIES. Shall mean the injection (whether subcutaneous or intramuscular) of an antirabic vaccine as approved by the Department of Health and Environmental Control and by the Unites States Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Biologics Division (S.C. Code § 47-5-20 (3)).
NUISANCE. Any animal shall be considered a NUISANCE that disturbs the rights of or threatens the safety of any member of the public, or interferes with their utilization and enjoyment of their property. This is not limited to but shall include animals at large, animals that make loud noises, and animals that constitute a threat to other domestic pets or livestock.
OWNER. The person having custody of or control over an animal. The resident or property owner wherein an animal is found shall be presumed the owner of the said animal(s) if they harbor the animal(s) in their custody and provide care for it, or if they allow or encourage it to remain on their premises.
RESTRAINT. Shall mean any animal that is on the premises of its owner or guardian or is accompanied by its owner or guardian and is under the physical control of the owner by a leash or a similar restraining device.
(Ord. 10-32-05, passed 10-5-2005)