For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Every living creature, domestic or nondomestic, but not including humans.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Any premises provided and operated for the restraint, care and disposition of animals, whether such shelter is public or private in nature.
AT LARGE. An animal off the property of its owner or keeper and not under physical restraint; however, such term shall not be construed to include any cat.
BEE. Insects of the superfamily Apoidea; in particular, the honeybees, Apis mellifera. It includes all life stages of such insects, their genetic material and dead remains.
CAT. Both male and female cats of any age.
COMMERCIAL ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENT. Any pet shop, grooming shop, auction, riding school or stable, zoological park, circus, animal exhibition or kennel.
DANGEROUS DOG. A dog that:
(1) Has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person without provocation:
(2) Is determined by the person designated by the Town Manager to be potentially dangerous because the dog has engaged in one or more of the behaviors listed in the definition in this section of the term potentially dangerous dog; and
(3) Is owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting.
DOG. Both male and female dogs of any age.
DOMESTIC. Any animal kept, cared for, sheltered, fed or harbored as a pet, for work purposes or as a source of food, raw materials or income.
HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD. Person who maintains the household.
HIVE. Any receptacle or container, or part of a receptacle or container, which is made or prepared for the use of bees, or which is inhabited by bees.
IMPOUNDED. An animal that has been taken or received into the custody of the Animal Control Officer or any authorized representative thereof.
KEEPER. A person having custody of an animal, or who keeps or harbors an animal, or who knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about any premises occupied or controlled by such person.
NONDOMESTIC. Any animal that is wild or dangerous by natural existence.
NUISANCE. An animal, or group of animals, if it:
(1) Damages, soils or defiles private or public property;
(2) Interferes with, molests or attacks persons or other animals;
(3) Causes unsanitary, dangerous or offensive conditions, including fouling of the air by odors;
(4) By virtue of number or type, is offensive or dangerous to the public health, safety or welfare;
(5) Is diseased or dangerous to the public health; and
(6) Habitually or repeatedly makes noises or other sounds that tend to annoy, disturb or frighten citizens.
OWNER. Any person owning, keeping or harboring any dog or cat. For the purpose of this chapter, the head of the household shall be deemed to be the OWNER in respect to any dog or cat owned, kept or harbored by any person residing in such household and kept on the premises.
OWNERS’ REAL PROPERTY. Any real property owned or leased by the owners of any dog or cat, but does not include any public right-of-way or a common area of a condominium, apartment complex or townhouse development.
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG. A dog that the person designated by the Town Manager determines to have:
(1) Inflicted a bite on a person that resulted in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations or required cosmetic surgery or hospitalization;
(2) Killed or inflicted severe injury upon a domestic animal when not on the owner’s real property; or
(3) Approached a person in a vicious or terrorizing manner in an apparent attitude of attack when not on the owner’s real property.
RESTRAINT. Any animal if it is within the real property limits of its owner, or secured by a leash or lead, or confined.
SEVERE INJURY. Any physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations or requires cosmetic surgery or hospitalization.
STRAY. Any domestic animal not under restraint and found off the property of its owner or keeper.
SWARM. A body of bees, including a queen, that are settled together.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. An animal that constitutes a physical threat to humans or other domestic animals.
(Ord. passed 2-6-2007)