For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. All vertebrate and invertebrate animals, whether domesticated or wild, including, but not limited to, bees, birds and fowl, including parakeets, cattle, cats, chickens, dogs, ducks, geese, goats, fish, horses, livestock of all types, mammals, including elephants, rabbits, all reptiles, rodents, sheep, swine and turkeys.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. The person(s) responsible for enforcement of the city’s ordinances and regulations pertaining to animal control in the community.
ANIMAL SHELTER or MUNICIPAL POUND. Any premises formally designated by the City Council for the purpose of impounding and caring for animals held under the authority of this chapter, regardless of whether or not the premises are within or without the city’s corporate boundaries, and regardless of whether or not the premises are under actual municipal ownership or provided for under a contractual arrangement between the city and private owner(s).
AT LARGE. Not securely confined by a fence or other means, on premises under the control of, or occupied by, the owner and not under the control of the owner, a member of his or her immediate family over 12 years of age or an agent of the owner, by leash or otherwise, whether on the owner’s premises or not.
DANGEROUS BIRDS. Any warm-blooded, feathered vertebrate which may constitute a physical threat to human beings.
HARBORING. Allowing any animal to habitually remain, or be fed, on premises under his or her control.
KENNEL. Any structure or place where three or more dogs, over four months of age, are kept, bred or trained, at any single time, or any facility designed or built to accommodate the temporary (less than 60 days) boarding of more than three dogs over four months of age.
LIVESTOCK. All animals, other than dogs, cats, small caged birds or small aquatic or amphibian animals.
OWNER. Any person, firm or corporation owning, harboring or keeping an animal; occupants of any premises to which a domesticated or tamed animal customarily returns for a period of ten days or more, shall be deemed to be harboring or keeping the animal and, thereby, considered to be an OWNER of the animal.
PET. Any animal kept for pleasure, rather than utility.
RESTRAINT. An animal shall be deemed to be under RESTRAINT if confined on the premises of its owner, if on a leash and accompanied by a responsible person, or in the case of a hunting dog, if accompanied by its owner engaged in the act of hunting.
VICIOUS DOG OR ANIMAL. Any dog or animal which has bitten or attempted to bite any person without undue provocation, or which attacks, barks or growls at and acts as if it intended to attack or bite, any person or persons when not unduly provoked.
WILD ANIMAL.
(1) Any animal which can normally be found living in a naturally wild state and is not ordinarily tamed or domesticated.
(2) The term shall include the animals hereinabove described which may be owned by a circus or wild animal show or exhibition.
(2002 Code, § 90.01)