The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings prescribed in this section, except in those cases where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
ANIMAL: Any horse, mule, donkey, pony, cow, sheep, goat, hog, dog, cat, rabbit, chicken, goose, duck, turkey or other animal, including fowl.
AT LARGE: Not securely confined by a fence or other enclosure or means on premises under the control of, or occupied by, the owner of the animal, of sufficient strength and construction to restrain and keep the animal within the fence or other enclosure, nor securely restrained and controlled by the owner or a member of his family at least twelve (12) years of age or older, or an agent of the owner by a leash or harness with handhold.
HEALTH OFFICER: The director of the county health department or his authorized agent and shall also include the city animal control officer.
OWNER: Any person, firm or corporation owning, harboring or keeping an animal. The occupant of any premises on which a domesticated or tamed animal remains, or to which it customarily returns, for a period of ten (10) days or more, shall be deemed to be harboring or keeping the animal. Any person who has been harboring or keeping an animal for a period of ten (10) days or longer despite any claim by said person that said animal is a stray shall be deemed to be the owner of said animal.
PERMIT: Includes, but is not limited to, the failure to take adequate precautions to prevent an animal from being at large.
STRAY: Any animal, domesticated or tamed, that is found wandering and has had no obvious home for a period of more than ten (10) days.
VICIOUS ANIMAL: An animal which has bitten, or attempted to bite, any person or animal without undue provocation, or which attacks or barks or growls at and acts as if it intends to attack or bite, or bites a person or animal, when not unduly provoked. (1988 Code § 4-101; amd. 2000 Code; Ord. 2008-3, 9-16-2008)