For the purpose of this chapter, the following words or phrases shall have the meaning ascribed to them unless the context otherwise indicates:
ANIMAL SHELTER: Any premises designated by the city for the purpose of impounding and caring for animals held under authority of this chapter.
AT LARGE: Off the premises of the owner and not under control of the owner or a member of his or her immediate family, or an agent or employee of the owner, by leash, cord or chain sufficiently strong to prevent the dog from escaping.
DOG: Both male and female of the family Canis familiaris.
LEASH: A cord, chain or rope of the length to restrict the dog to the owner's property and, when the dog is off the owner's property, the leash shall be not more than eight feet (8') in length.
OWNER: Any person, firm, corporation, organization or department possessing or harboring or having the care or custody of a dog.
TETHERED: To fasten or restrain a dog by any means to an object so that it can range only within a set radius.
UNCONFINED: Pertains to a vicious dog and shall mean not securely confined indoors or confined in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure upon the premises of the owner of the dog. The pen or structure must have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. If the pen or structure has no bottom secured to the sides, the sides must be embedded into the ground no less than one foot (1'). All such pens or structures must be adequately lighted and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
VICIOUS DOG: Any dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury to, or otherwise threaten the safety of human beings or domestic animals; or any dog which because of its size, physical nature or vicious propensity is capable of inflicting serious physical harm or death to humans or which would constitute a danger to human life or property if it were not kept in the manner required by this chapter; or any dog which, without provocation, attacks or bites, or has attacked or bitten, a human being or domestic animal; or any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dogfighting, or any dog trained for dogfighting. (Ord. 2000-05, 7-24-2000)