For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any horse, mule, donkey, pony, cow, sheep, goat, hog, dog, cat, rabbit, chicken, goose, duck, turkey or other animal, including fowl.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. See HEALTH OFFICER.
AT LARGE. Neither enclosed within a building, fence or other enclosure of sufficient strength and construction to restrain and keep the animal within the building, fence, automobile or other enclosure, nor securely restrained and controlled by a person by a leash or harness with handhold of sufficient strength to control the animal.
HEALTH OFFICER. The director of the County Health Department or his or her authorized agent and shall also include the Town Animal Control Officer.
OWNER. Any person, firm or corporation owning, harboring or keeping an animal. The occupant of any premises on which a domesticated or tamed animal remains, or to which it customarily returns, for a period of ten days or more, shall be deemed to be harboring or keeping the animal.
PERMIT. Includes, but is not limited to, the failure to take adequate precautions to prevent an animal from being at large.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. An animal which has bitten, or attempted to bite, any person without undue provocation, or which attacks or barks or growls at and acts as if it intends to attack or bite, or bites a person or persons, when not unduly provoked.
(Prior Code, § 4-101)