For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any living vertebrate, domestic or wild, not including man.
ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION ("COMMISSION"). An available non-profit or volunteer corporation, association or group, recognized by the Mayor and known and operating within the city, able and willing to work in partnership with Oak Forest Animal Control to advocate for and provide rescue and re-homing of unclaimed and abandoned local animals.
ANIMAL RESCUER. Any person that volunteers for the care and welfare of abused or neglected animals.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Any premises, within or without the city, designated by Council for the purpose of impounding and caring for animals under authority of this chapter.
AT LARGE. Any domestic animal when it is off the property of its owner or not restrained by a competent person by a leash or chain when not on the property of its owner or keeper.
CAT. Includes all animals of the feline family (Felis Catus).
COMPETENT PERSON. A person who is physically and mentally capable of managing and controlling a domestic pet which is his or her responsibility while off the premises of the owner or keeper thereof.
DANGEROUS ANIMAL. Any individual animal anywhere other than upon the property of the owner or custodian and unmuzzled, unleashed or unattended by its owner or custodian that behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to a person or a companion animal or a dog that, without justification, bites a person and does not cause serious physical injury.
DOG. Includes all animals, regardless of sex, of the canine species (Canis Familiaris).
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. Any animal, except a farm or dangerous animal, which has been domesticated so as to live and/or breed in a tame condition as a household pet or guardian. For the purpose of this chapter, ferrets, pot-bellied pigs and rabbits are determined to be DOMESTIC ANIMALS.
FEED. The offering, giving or attempting to give food or non-food items to wild animals.
INOCULATION. The injection, subcutaneously or otherwise, as approved by the Department of Agriculture, of canine antirabic vaccine approved by the Department.
KENNEL. Any person engaged in the business of breeding, buying, selling or boarding cats or dogs.
OWNER. A person having a right of property of an animal, or who keeps or harbors an animal, or who has a dog or other animal in his or her care, or who acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by him or her.
RESTRAINT. An animal that is controlled within a closed vehicle being driven or parked on the streets, or that is within the property limits of the owner or keeper or contained by a fence, a kennel or a leash or chain of sufficient strength to control the dog or other animal.
VETERINARY HOSPITAL. Any establishment maintained and operated by a licensed veterinarian for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of animals.
WILD ANIMAL. Any animal living in a natural, undomesticated state or that is generally naturally occurring as undomesticated in the city such as raccoons, skunks, coyotes, squirrels, etc.
(2000 Code, § 6.04.020) (Am. Ord. 2010-09- 0307O, passed 9-28-2010; Am. Ord. 2013-03-0434O, § 2 (part), passed 3-12-2013; Am. Ord. 2016-08-0615O, passed 8-9-2016; Am. Ord. 2018-02-0681O, passed 2-27-2018)