(A) For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AT LARGE. Off the premises of the owner or occupant and not under the control of the owner or member of his or her family, or designated individual, either by leash or otherwise, but a dog within a vehicle of the owner shall be deemed to be upon the owner’s property.
DOG.
(a) Includes both males and females, singular and/or plural where applicable.
(b) The term OTHER ANIMALS shall include cats, rabbits, or other animals, males and/or females, singular and/or plural where applicable.
OWNER. Any person, firm, or corporation, or legal entity having possessory property right(s) in a dog, or other animal, or one who possesses, owns, houses, harbors, cares for, exercises control over, raises, confines, breeds, keeps, or knowingly permits such dog, or other animal, to remain on premises occupied by such person(s), or who creates the appearance of owning such dog, or other animal, that remains, or to which it customarily returns daily for a period of ten days, is presumed to be harboring or keeping such dog or other animal.
VICIOUS or DANGEROUS DOG, or OTHER ANIMAL.
(a) Any dog, or other animal, that, without intentional provocation, bites or attacks humans or other animals.
(b) Any dog, or other animal, with a propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack, to cause injury, or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals, any dog or other animal that approaches (or has approached) an individual in a threatening manner as if to be endangering the safety of such individual, or any dog or other animal that has demonstrated such characteristics in one or more incidents in the past.
(c) Any PIT BULL TERRIER, which is defined as any dog identifiable, or know, or should be known, by the owner to be a PIT BULL TERRIER, which shall herein be defined as any American pit bull terrier or Staffordshire bull terrier, or American Staffordshire pit bull terrier, or other Pit bull terrier breed or dog, or any mixed breed of dog which contains as an element of its breeding the breed of American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire bull terrier, or other pit bull breed as to be identifiable as partially of the breed of American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire bull terrier, or any other pit bull terrier.
(d) Any ROTTWEILER breed of dog, which is defined as any dog identifiable or known to be, or should be known by the owner to be a rottweiler breed of dog or any mixed breed of dog which contains an element of its breeding the breed of rottweiler or other rottweiler breeds as to be identifiable as partially or wholly of the breed of rottweiler.
(B) In the interest of immediate need for the public safety and welfare, any provisions of this section shall be in full force and effect immediately, and shall not be subject to the principle of pre-existing conditions (commonly referred to as the “grandfather clause”).
(Prior Code, § 6.0102) (Ord. 407, passed 3-6-1991; Ord. 426, passed 2-7-1996)