The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
A. Adequate shelter means any structure or area of structural soundness must contain three (3) sides, a waterproof roof, solid floor, adequate bedding material, positioned to allow for protection from north and west winds, proper ventilation, and which is suitable for the species, age, condition, size and type of animal which is safe and protects each animal from injury, precipitation, direct sunlight, adverse effects of extreme heat or cold, enables the animal to be clean and dry, and has sufficient room for the animal to move about freely and to lie comfortably while allowing the retention of the animal's body heat. Wildlife, livestock, and other non-domesticated animals normally residing outdoors shall be only required to have appropriate shelter from extreme weather through natural or artificial means available to it to protect the animal.
B. Animal means any warm-blooded mammal.
C. Animal Control Officer means the person or persons designated by the City Manager as an enforcement officer for this chapter.
D. Animal shelter means any premises officially designated by the City for the purpose of impounding and caring for all animals found in violation of this chapter.
E. Cat means any Felis catus.
F. Cattery means any premises operated for profit where there is being maintained or harbored a total of four (4) or more cats, except veterinary hospitals.
G. Chicken coop means a small structure or enclosure where chickens nest, roost or perch and may include feeding and watering devices.
H. Chicken run means an enclosed area physically connected to the coop where chickens are able to walk or run about which may include feeding and watering devices.
I. Confined on the premises means that condition in which a dog or cat is securely and physically confined and retained on and within the premises of the owner or keeper by means of walls or fences.
J. Currently vaccinated means properly immunized by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian with an anti-rabies vaccine licensed and approved by the United States Department of Agriculture for use in that animal species or meeting conditions specified in O.A.C. 310:5993-8. Vaccine must have been given at appropriate time intervals for the age of the animal and type of vaccine administered.
K. Dangerous bird means any warm-blooded, feathered vertebrate, which may constitute a physical threat to human beings.
L. Department means the City of Purcell, Oklahoma or local animal control authority.
M. Department designee means an employee of the City of Purcell who is acting within their scope of rabies control authority designated through the City Manager.
N. Dog means any Canis familiaris, excluding hybrids.
O. Domestic animal means a companion animal including dogs, cats, and ferrets, an equine animal, or a livestock animal.
P. Euthanize means the humane killing of an animal generally performed by a veterinarian or personnel at an animal control facility under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian.
Q. Exposure to rabies means a bite or physical contact with the saliva or other potentially infectious tissues from an animal confirmed or suspected of being infected with rabies.
R. Ferret means any Mustela putorius furo.
S. First party ownership means a situation where the owner of a biting animal is directly related to the bite victim, that is parent-child, sibling-sibling, grandparent, child, or when the legal residence of the animal owner and the bite victim are the same.
T. Harboring means any person who allows any animal to habitually remain or lodge or to be fed within his home, store, yard, enclosure, or place of business or any other premises in which such person resides or controls.
U. Home quarantine means confinement and observation of an animal allowed at the animal owner's property for a specified time period, where one (1) of the following acceptable methods of confinement for a dog are used: complete indoor housing; caging or kenneling in an enclosure with a securely latched door; or yard confinement with perimeter fencing that the dog is unable to climb over or dig under. Acceptable methods of confinement for a cat or ferret are: complete indoor housing or caging in an enclosure that prevents escape. The animal's needs for ambient temperature control, water, nutrition, elimination, and space to comfortably stand up and lie down must be adequately provided by the selected confinement method. Should the animal exhibit neurological signs, die, or disappear during the specified period, a State-licensed veterinarian and the department shall be immediately notified.
V. Hybrid means an offspring of wild animals crossbred to domestic dogs or cats, considered to be wild animals in the enforcement of O.A.C. 310:599.
W. Kennel means any premises where there is being maintained or harbored a total of three (3) or more dogs..
X. K-9 dog means a dog trained and being used as a canine security animal.
Y. Owner means any person, firm, or corporation keeping, possessing, harboring, or having the care or custody of an animal, except the proprietor of a kennel or cattery as defined in this section or a veterinary establishment.
Z. Quarantine means physical confinement of an animal during a specified time period when the animal is monitored for the development of disease. During this time period, the animal is prevented from having contact with other animals and human contact is limited to as few caretakers as possible.
AA. Rabies means an acute disease of humans and warm-blooded mammals caused by the rabies virus (genus Lyssavirus) that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal.
AB. Recognized animal control facility means any facility operating for the purpose of stray animal control and/or animal welfare that is under contract or letter of agreement which identifies a licensed veterinarian responsible for animal quarantines.
AC. Recognized zoological park means any member of the American Association of Zoological Parks.
AD. Restraint and under restraint, within the meaning of this chapter, mean an animal which is:
1. Controlled by a leash not more than eight (8) feet in length, which leash prevents the animal from access to the property of another;
2. At "heel" beside a competent person and obedient to that person's commands; or
3. Confined on the premises of his owner.
AE. Severe injury means any physical injury that results in broken bones or lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery.
AF. Stray means any animal which does not appear, upon reasonable inquiry, to have an owner.
AG. Vicious animal means:
1. An animal which, while unleashed and off the premises of its owner, has attacked, menaced, chased, displayed threatening or aggressive behavior or otherwise threatened or endangered the safety of any domestic animal or person;
2. An animal which, while unleashed and off the premises of its owner, has bitten a human being or a domestic animal without provocation;
3. Any animal owned or harbored primarily, or in part, for the purpose of fighting or any animal trained for fighting; or
4. An animal with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals.
AH. Wild animal means an animal considered as wildlife; any animal not normally adapted to live in intimate association with humans nor raised for consumption by humans.
AI. Zoonotic disease means a disease that is transmissible from animals to humans under natural conditions.
(Ord. No. 03-07, § 1, 10-6-2003)
Cross reference- Definitions generally, § 1-2.
State Law reference- Municipal regulation of animals, 11 O.S. § 22-115.
HISTORY
Amended by Ord. 18-03 on 7/2/2018
Amended by Ord. 22-10 on 10/3/2022