For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONMENT. To deposit, leave, drop off or otherwise dispose of any live animal without providing immediate human care on any public or private property.
ANIMAL. Any non-human vertebrate creature, whether domestic, wild or exotic.
AT-LARGE. An animal found to be located off the property of and not under restraint of its owner.
DOMESTIC FARM ANIMAL. Includes any animal that is one of the following:
(1) Cattle;
(2) Horse;
(3) Donkey or mule;
(4) Swine;
(5) Sheep;
(6) Goats;
(7) Ox;
(8) Llama;
(9) Poultry;
(10) Bison;
(11) Ostrich;
(12) Elk;
(13) Deer; or
(14) Alpaca.
DOMESTIC PET. Any animal which is kept for pleasure rather than utility and is a member of one of the following species:
(1) Dog (Canis Familiaris);
(2) Cat (Felis Cattus or Felis Domesticus);
(3) Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus);
(4) Mouse (Mus Musculus);
(5) Rat (Rattus Rattus);
(6) Reptile (Repilis), as defined herein;
(7) Guinea Pig (Cavis Porcellus);
(8) Chinchilla (Chinchilla Laniger);
(9) Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus);
(10) Gerbil (Gerbillus Gerbillus); and
(11) Ferret (Mustela Putorius Furo).
EXOTIC ANIMAL. Any animal whose normal native habitat is not indigenous to the continental United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, except fish and fur-bearing animals commercially bred for the furrier trade and birds defined under federal regulations and non- poisonous snakes and reptiles.
GUIDE DOG. A service animal.
HARBORING. An owner permitting an animal to habitually remain, lodged or fed within his or her property. An animal shall be presumed to be HARBORED at any locations where it is fed or sheltered.
OWNER. A person:
(1) Having the right of property or custody of an animal or a person keeping or harboring an animal; or
(2) That permits and/or encourages an animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by that person, and includes a person over 18 years of age authorized to act on his, her or their behalf.
PROPERTY. A lot or parcel of real estate including, including the improvements constructed within their respective boundaries, all of the grounds lying between the property lines and the improved portion of adjacent streets or alleys.
PUBLIC NUISANCE. Any animal which:
(1) Interferes with passers-by or passing vehicles;
(2) Attacks other animals or persons;
(3) Is at large;
(4) Damages private or public property;
(5) Causes frequent or loud continued noises or other sounds common to its species, which disturbs the comfort or repose of any person in the immediate neighborhood; or
(6) Causes foul or noxious odors, which offends residents in the neighborhood.
RESTRAINT. Securing an animal by leash, tether or lead, or confining it within the property of its owner.
STRAY. Any animal brought to the animal shelter by the Town Marshal, an Animal Warden, someone other than the owner or any animal for which no owner is known.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any animal that has, without provocation, attacked a human being or other animal and includes any animal that by its behavior or physical condition constitutes an immediate and serious physical or health threat to human beings or animals, or an animal that has previously attacked or bitten humans or another animal.
WILD ANIMAL. An animal of any species or variety which predominately exists and propagates in nature, without usual or substantial human care, regardless of the whether a particular animal was born in captivity or tamed, and is not defined as a “domestic pet”.
(Ord. 2019-03, passed 3-5-2019)