For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDON. The leaving of an animal without adequate provisions for the animal’s proper care by its owner.
ANIMALS. Every non-human species of the animal kingdom, both domestic and non-domestic.
BODILY INJURY. Any physical injury that results in severe bruising; muscle tears; skin lacerations requiring professional medical treatment, corrective or cosmetic surgery.
CAT. Any animal of the species Felis domesticus.
DANGEROUS DOG.
(1) Any dog which, because of its aggressive nature, training or characteristic behavior, is capable of inflicting serious physical harm or death to humans, and which would constitute a danger to human life or property if it were not kept in the manner required by this chapter.
(2) Any dog which, when unprovoked, chases or approaches a person in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack on public or private property, whether or not the attack is consummated or capable of being consummated.
DOG. Any animal related to the fox, wolf, coyote or jackal.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. Any dog, cat, pot-belly pig, rabbit, hare, guinea pig, hamster, mouse, rat, ferret, bird, fish, reptile, amphibian or other small species of animal kept as a pet.
LIVESTOCK. Any chickens, duck, geese or other domestic fowl, hogs, pigs (except pot-belly pigs), swine, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, mules, llamas or other animals raised or kept for profit or production.
MISTREATMENT. Every act or omission which causes, or unreasonably permits the continuation of, unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering by an animal.
NEGLECT. Failure to provide food, water, protection from the elements or other care generally considered to be normal, usual and accepted for an animal’s health and well-being consistent with the species, breed and type of animal.
OWNER. Any person, firm, corporation or organization owning, possessing, harboring, keeping, having a financial or property interest in or having control or custody of an animal.
RUNNING AT LARGE. An animal off or away from the premises of the owner thereof, and not under the control of such owner or an agent, or representative of same, either by leash, cord or chain not more than ten feet in length.
VICIOUS DOG. Any dog with a 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 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 dog fighting, or any dog trained for dog fighting, or any dog which has been found to be vicious by the Town Municipal Court, or by any court within the state, in a trial or hearing upon a charge of harboring a vicious animal.
WILDLIFE. Any animal that exists in a natural wild state in their place of origin, presently or historically, except those species determined to be domestic animals or livestock by this chapter.
(Ord. 3-07, passed 12-12-2007)