For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates of requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any live, vertebrate creature, domestic or wild.
KENNEL. Any premises wherein any person engages in the business of boarding, breeding, buying, letting for hire, training for a fee or selling dogs or cats.
OWNER. Any person, partnership or corporation keeping or harboring one or more animals. An animal shall be deemed harbored if it is fed or sheltered for ten consecutive days or more.
PET. Any animal kept for pleasure rather than utility.
PET SHOP. Any person, partnership or corporation, whether operated separately or in connection with another business enterprise, except for a licensed kennel, that buys, sells or boards any species of animals.
PUBLIC NUISANCE. Any animal or animals which:
(1) Molests passers-by or passing vehicles;
(2) Attacks other animals;
(3) Trespasses on school grounds;
(4) Is repeatedly at large;
(5) Damages private or public property; or
(6) Barks, whines or howls in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion.
RESTRAINT. Any animal secured by a leash or lead, or under the control of a responsible person and obedient to that person’s commands, or within the real property limits of its owner.
VETERINARY HOSPITAL. Any establishment maintained and operated by a licensed veterinarian for surgery, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of animals.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any animal or animals that constitute a physical threat to human beings or other animals.
WILD ANIMAL. Any live monkey (non-human primate), raccoon, skunk, fox, poisonous snake, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other warm-blooded animal which can normally be found in the wild state.
(Prior Code, § 4-101)
Statutory reference:
Animals, town power to regulate, see 11 O.S. § 22-115