For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them by this section.
ANIMALS AT LARGE.
(1) Cats at large.Any cat that, by complaint, is found off the premises of its owner or is found to be a public hazard or nuisance.
(2) All other animals. Any animal, other than a cat who found off the premises of its owner and not under sufficient physical restraint such as a leash, cage or similarity effective device to allow the animal to be controlled.
ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER. Any holding or other facility designated by the Town Board for the detention of animals.
ANIMAL CONTROL WARDEN. A person designated as such to preform duties described by this chapter.
ANIMAL UNDER RESTRAINT. Any animal confined within a vehicle or confined within the real property limits of its owner or secured by leash or lead.
ANTI-CLIMBER.A device consisting of angled metal braces and smooth surfaced wire, which wire is stretched between each angled metal brace, all of which are attached to the top of a fence. The wire shall be at least three strands, separated evenly, the furtherest being no less than 18 inches from the top of the fence. It shall be extended inwards at an angle of not less than 45 degrees, not more than 90 degrees, measured from perpendicular.
CATTERY. A commercial establishment wherein any person, for profit, buys, sells, board, breeds or grooms cats.
DOMESTICATED ANIMAL. An animal such as is accustomed to live in or about the habitation of humans, including but not limited to cats, cows, dogs, fowl, horses and domesticated wild animals. This does not include hogs, pigs, any other swine or any member of the urside or fedidae families of the carnivora order if the animal weighs more than 35 pounds. The definition for a DOMESTICATED ANIMAL would rule out the pot bellied pigs which can weigh more than 35 pounds and are often considered domestic pets.
HOLDING FACILITY.Any pet shop, kennel, cattery or combination thereof.
INOCULATION or INOCULATION AGAINST RABIES. The vaccination or inoculation of an animal with an antirabic vaccine approved by the United States Bureau of Animal Industry, the State Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Health and/or the local health director, as defined in G.S. § 130A-184.
KENNEL. A commercial establishment wherein any person, for profit, buys, sells, boards, breeds, grooms, lets for hire or trains for a fee, dogs. This shall not include the ownership of dogs which are not a part of the household or which are maintained adjoining a private residence for hunting, tracking practice, exhibition or the guarding or protection of the owner’s property when no more than five dogs per year are sold by such owner.
OWNER. Any person owning, keeping, harboring, possessing or acting as custodian, however temporarily, of an animal; provided, however, that a person who has had temporary custody or possession of an animal for the sole purpose of turning over such animal to a member of animal control or other peace officer shall not be deemed the OWNER of the animal.
PET. A domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility. PETS include, but are not limited to birds, cats, dogs, fish, hamsters, mice, reptiles, domesticated wild animals and other animals associated with human environment.
PET SHOP. A commercial establishment for profit, which offers for sale two or more species of live animals with the intent that they are kept as pets.
PUBLIC NUISANCE ANIMALS. Any animal or group of animals in which one of the following occurs:
(1) Is found at large more than two times within 180 days;
(2) Damages the property of anyone other than its owner;
(3) Is vicious;
(4) Causes fouling of the air by odors;
(5) Causes unsanitary condition of enclosures or surroundings;
(6) By virtue of number or type is offensive or dangerous to the public health, safety or welfare;
(7) Excessively makes disturbing noises; or
(8) Is diseased and dangerous to the public.
TRAINER. Any individual who holds himself or herself available to the general public for purpose of training security dogs. This does not include individuals who are in the business of obedience training only.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any animal which constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals by virtue of attacks of such number and severity as to cause property damage or physical injury.
WEEKDAY. Monday through Friday inclusive, excluding local, state and national holidays.
(Ord. passed 7-25-2000)