For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any living creature, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, horses, birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, insects, fowl, and livestock, but specifically excluding human beings.
ANIMAL CONTROL. The animal control function of the city.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. Any person or agency designated by the city to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
ANIMAL NUISANCE. Created when an animal:
(1) Runs uncontrolled;
(2) Molests or disturbs persons or vehicles by chasing, barking, or biting;
(3) Attacks other animals;
(4) Damages property other than that of the owner or harborer;
(5) Barks, whines, howls, honks, brays, cries, or makes other noises excessively;
(6) Creates noxious or offensive odors;
(7) Defecates upon any public place or upon premises not owned or controlled by the owner or harborer unless promptly removed by the animal owner or harborer; or
(8) Creates an insect breeding or attraction site due to an accumulation of excreta.
BITE. To be seized with the teeth or jaws so that a person or animal has been nipped, gripped, wounded, or pierced and saliva of the biting animal has contacted the resulting break or abrasion of the skin.
CAT. Any live or dead cat (Felis catus).
CONTROL or CONTROL OF AN ANIMAL. The same is on a leash not more than 8 feet in length, is under voice control in the presence of a competent person, is on or within a vehicle being driven or parked, or is within the property limits of its owner or harborer or upon the premises of another person with the consent of that person.
CURRENTLY VACCINATED. Vaccinated and satisfying the following criteria:
(1) The animal must have been at least 3 months of age at the time of vaccination;
(2) At least 30 days have elapsed since the initial vaccination; and
(3) No more than 36 months have elapsed since the most recent vaccination.
DOG. Any live or dead dog (Canis familiaris).
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. Includes all species of animals commonly accepted as being domesticated.
HARBORING. The act of keeping or caring for an animal or of providing premises to which the animal returns for food, shelter, or care for a period of 3 consecutive days.
OWNER. Any person, firm, or corporation having title to any animal, or a person who has, harbors, keeps, or causes or permits to be harbored or kept, any animal in his or her care, or who permits an animal to remain on or about his or her premises.
PET ANIMAL. Includes dogs, rats, rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles, and any other species of animal that is sold or retained as a household pet, but shall not include skunks, nonhuman primates, and any other species of wild, exotic, or carnivorous animal that may be further restricted in this law.
RUNNING AT LARGE. Not completely confined by a building, wall, or fence of sufficient strength of construction to restrain the animal, or not on a leash or held in the hands of the owner or keeper, or not under direct personal supervision of the owner to the extent that the animal does damage public or private property and does attack, charge, or otherwise disrupts the lawful use of private or public property by third parties.
STRAY ANIMAL. Any animal for which there is no identifiable owner or harborer.
VACCINATED. Properly injected with a rabies vaccine licensed for use in that species by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by a veterinarian licensed to practice in this state.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any individual animal or any species that has on 1 or more previous occasions, without provocation, attacked or bitten any person or other animal, or any individual animal that the local health authority or supervisor of animal control has reason to believe has a dangerous disposition, or any species of animal that the local health authority or supervisor has reason to believe has a dangerous disposition likely to be harmful to humans or other animals.
WILD ANIMAL. Any poisonous or dangerous reptile or any other species of animal that commonly exists in a natural, unconfined state and is usually not domesticated, including, but not limited to, foxes, opossums, raccoons, squirrels, leopards, panthers, tigers, lions, lynx, unless certified for medical, biological, herpetological, or other scientific research or study. This definition shall apply regardless of state or duration of captivity.
(Ord. 414, passed 12-17-1996; Am. Ord. 625, passed 7-1-2008)