For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any live creature, both domestic and wild, except humans. ANIMAL includes fowl, fish and reptiles.
ANIMAL WARDEN. The person designated as such by the Mayor and Council.
AT LARGE. Any animal or fowl when not upon property owned or lawfully occupied by its keeper, or when upon the property of another without the consent of the owner or lawful occupant of such property, shall be deemed to be AT LARGE unless such animal or fowl is held on a leash or otherwise under the effective control of a responsible person.
CAT. Includes all members of the feline family, of either sex, unless otherwise specified hereinafter.
DOG. Includes female dogs as well as male dogs, and pups as well as adults.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. Includes dogs, cats, domesticated sheep, horses, cattle, goats, swine, fowl, ducks, geese, turkeys, confined domestic hares and rabbits, pheasants, and other birds and animals raised and/or maintained in confinement.
GUARD OR ATTACK DOG. A dog trained to attack on command or to protect persons or property, and who will cease to attack upon command.
KEEPER. Any person owning or having possession or custody of an animal or fowl or any person keeping, harboring or caring for an animal or fowl shall be deemed to be the keeper thereof; thus, the owner of an animal or fowl shall continue to be a keeper thereof even though another person may be harboring or caring for such animal or fowl and is likewise a KEEPER thereof.
MUZZLE. A device constructed of strong, soft material or of metal, designed to fasten over the mouth of an animal to prevent the animal from biting any person or other animal.
OWNER. Any person having temporary or permanent custody of, sheltering or having charge of, harboring, exercising control over, or having property rights to, any animal covered by this subchapter. An animal shall be deemed to be HARBORED if it is fed or sheltered for three or more consecutive days.
VICIOUS OR DANGEROUS ANIMAL. Any animal that attacks, bites or physically injures human beings, domestic animals or livestock without adequate provocation, or which, because of a natural disposition, temperament or training, has a known propensity to attack, bite or physically injure human beings, domestic animals or livestock. Any wild animal or any animal that without provocation has bitten or attacked a human being or other animal shall be prima facie presumed VICIOUS OR DANGEROUS.
WILD ANIMAL. Any live monkey, nonhuman primate, raccoon, skunk, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other warm-blooded animal that can normally be found in the wild state. The term WILD ANIMAL does not include: domestic dogs (excluding hybrids with wolves, coyotes or jackals); domestic cats (excluding hybrids with ocelots or margays); farm animals; rodents; any hybrid animal that is part wild; and captive-bred species of common cage birds.
(Prior Code, § 505.005) (Ord. 04-03, passed 4-21-2004; Ord. 06-02, passed 6-27-2006)