For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. a non-human, animate being which is endowed with the power of voluntary motion.
ANIMAL CONTROL AUTHORITY. A municipal or county animal control office with authority over the area in which the dog is kept or the municipal police department of the county sheriff’s office in an area that does not have an animal control office.
AT LARGE. Any animal not confined as required in this chapter.
CAT. A member of the feline family normally considered to be the domesticated type.
COLLECTOR. The City Revenue Collector, or his or her duly authorized agent.
DANGEROUS ANIMAL. An animal that:
(1) Makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the animal was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the animal from leaving the enclosure on its own;
(2) Commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the animal was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the animal from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the animal will attack and cause bodily injury to that person; or
(3) Commits unprovoked attacks in a place other than an enclosure in which the animal is being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the animal from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts result in an injury, damage to, or death of another animal.
DANGEROUS DOG. A dog that:
(1) Makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own;
(2) Commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person; or
(3) Commits unprovoked attacks in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog is being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts result in an injury, damage to, or death of another dog or animal.
DOGS. Animals of all ages, both female and male, which are members of the canine or dog family.
ENCLOSURE. A fenced area or structure that is:
(1) Locked;
(2) Capable of preventing the entry of the general public, including children;
(3) Capable of preventing the escape or release of a dog; and
(4) In conformance with the requirements for an enclosure established by the local animal control authority.
EPIZOOTIC. The occurrence in a given geographic area of population of cases of a disease clearly in excess of the expected frequency.
EXPOSED TO RABIES. An animal which has been bitten by or been exposed to any animal known to have been infected with rabies.
HEALTH OFFICER. The Police Chief of the city or his or her duly authorized agent.
KENNEL. Any person, owning, keeping or harboring more than five adult dogs or cats, for the business of breeding such animals for the sale of their offspring shall be considered as owning a kennel requiring registration with the city as herein provided.
LICENSED VETERINARIAN. A veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in one or more of the 50 states.
LIVESTOCK. Animals in the equine, bovine, caprine, avian, ovine, or porcine families.
MUZZLE. A device of appropriate material with sufficient strength to restrain the dog from biting. No such muzzle shall be made from any material or maintained on the dog in such a manner so as to not cut or injure the dog.
OWNER. Every person owning, keeping or harboring a dog within the city.
PERSON. An individual, group or groups of individuals, corporations or other entities.
QUARANTINE. Strict confinement of any animal specified in an order of the local rabies control authority or its designee:
(1) On the private premises of the animal’s owner or at a facility approved by the local rabies control authority or its designee; and
(2) Under restraint by closed cage or paddock or in any other manner approved by local rabies control authority rule.
RABIES. An acute viral disease of man and animal affecting the central nervous system and usually transmitted by an animal bite.
SECURE ENCLOSURE. A fenced area or structure that is:
(1) Locked;
(2) Capable of preventing the entry of the general public, including children;
(3) Capable of preventing the escape or release of a dog;
(4) Clearly marked as containing a dangerous dog; and
(5) In conformance with the requirements for an enclosure established by the local animal control authority.
SERIOUS BODILY INJURY. An injury characterized by severe bite wounds or severe ripping and tearing of muscle that would cause a reasonably prudent person to seek treatment from a medical professional and would require hospitalization without regard to whether the person actually sought medical treatment.
SPAYED FEMALE. Any female animal which has been operated upon to prevent conception.
STRAY. Roaming with no physical restraint beyond the premises of an animal’s owner or keeper.
VACCINATION. An injection of any vaccine for rabies approved by the state veterinarian and administered by a licensed veterinarian or agent of the health officer.
WILD ANIMALS. Animals which are not normally recognized as domesticated animals of any species.
(Ord. 14-09, passed 10-12-2009)