As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings
indicated unless otherwise defined:
ANIMAL
An animate being (other than a human being) capable of voluntary
movement.
ANIMAL CONTROL AUTHORITY
A.
The entity to which the County has delegated enforcement and
administration of provisions of this chapter.
B.
The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
An employee designated and supervised by the Animal Control
Authority to perform the duties described in this chapter.
COMMUNITY CAT
A free-roaming cat that is sterilized and ear-tipped.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL
An animal of a tamed species commonly kept as a pet or livestock,
including cats, dogs, cows, fowl, ferrets, horses, or swine, except
an animal being maintained for the production of food, food products
or fiber, or breeding.
EXTERIOR BEDDING
Any nonabsorbent material provided in sufficient quantity
for insulation against cold and moisture. Exterior bedding may consist
of straw, pine shavings, and/or pine needles.
[Added 6-6-2023 by Bill No. 2023-06]
IMPOUND
To take possession of an animal by an Animal Control Officer
(or other officer empowered to act by law).
MICROCHIP
A microchip is an electronic chip embedded in an animal which
contains information for an authorized party to discern the owner
of the animal. A microchip shall not include global positioning system
coordinates.
[Added 6-6-2023 by Bill No. 2023-06]
OWNER
A person who owns or is the custodian of an animal. An animal
owned by a minor will be considered to be owned by the parents or
guardians with whom the minor resides.
OWNER'S REAL PROPERTY
Property of which the animal's owner, as herein defined,
is the actual owner or tenant or present as the guest or licensee
of the owner, but does not include a public right-of-way or common
area of a condominium, apartment complex or townhouse development
or premises when the animal's owner is present as a customer or business
or commercial invitee, including hotels and motels.
SERVICE ANIMAL
Any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform
tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including
a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained,
are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work
or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to
the individual's disability. The crime deterrent effects of an animal's
presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort,
or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes
of this definition.
TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN PROGRAM
A program approved in writing by the Animal Control Authority
for humanely trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating for rabies, ear-tipping,
and returning community cats to their original location.
VACANT PROPERTY
Dwellings, dwelling units, multiple-family dwellings, apartment
houses, boardinghouses, nursing homes, and other structures, including,
among others, garages, sheds, and similar accessory structures, which
are uninhabitated.
[Added 6-6-2023 by Bill No. 2023-06]