The following words and phrases, as used in this subtitle and/or
rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, shall have the following
meanings, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:
ANIMAL
Any live, vertebrate creature, domestic or wild, except human
beings. "Animal" shall be construed in a broad sense to also include
birds, fish, reptiles and insects.
ANIMAL CLINIC or ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Any establishment maintained and operated by a licensed veterinarian
for immunization, surgery and/or diagnosis and treatment of diseases
of and injuries to animals.
ANIMAL CONTROL SECTION
That section of the Bureau of Police created for the control
of animals within the corporate boundaries of the City, the head of
which shall be the Chief of Police.
ANIMAL SHELTER
Any premises, or any portion thereof, which is used for the
temporary or permanent harboring, care, confinement, or detention
of lost, stray, ill, or injured animals.
AT LARGE
Any dog, cat or other animal that is intentionally or negligently
off the property of its owner, or not under restraint as defined herein,
or not under the immediate physical control of the owner, keeper or
another competent person capable of physically restraining the animal.
[Amended 9-28-2004 by Ord. No. 33-2004]
BREEDER
Any person, association, organization, entity or institution
which houses or maintains dogs or cats for the purpose of reproduction
for sale or exchange, show or training.
CAGE
Any interior enclosure of limited space, enclosed on the
bottom and on all four sides by either solid walls or otherwise, in
which animals or other creatures are placed for any purpose, including
confinement or display. No cage shall be enclosed entirely by solid
walls.
CARNIVOROUS
Meat eating, as applied to predatory animals, wild by nature,
as distinguished from the common domestic animals, whether or not
such animal was bred or reared in captivity.
CAT
Any member of the genus and species known as "Felis domesticus."
CATTERY
Any indoor housing facility wherein cats are kept for the
purpose of leasing, buying, sale, boarding, show, breeding, exchange,
or placement as pets or other similar purpose and is so constructed
that the cats cannot stray therefrom.
DOG
Any member of the genus and species known as "Canis familiaris."
FOSTER HOME
Any person or residence that takes in stray or unknown dogs
and cats for the purpose of rehabilitating and placing them free of
charge.
HEALTHFUL
A condition, appropriate to the particular species of animal
involved, which is hygienic and conducive to the maintenance of the
animal's well-being and the prevention of disease.
HUMANE AGENCY
A duly incorporated animal protection or animal welfare organization.
HUMANE AGENT
A representative of a duly incorporated animal protection
or animal welfare organization.
IMPOUND
The action by the Police Bureau or authorized local agency
to apprehend, catch, trap, net, or, if necessary, kill any animal.
KENNEL
Any indoor housing facility wherein dogs are kept for the
purpose of breeding, hunting, training, leasing, buying, boarding,
sale, show, exchange, or placement as pets or other similar purpose
and is so constructed that dogs cannot stray therefrom.
MAMMAL
Any of the mammalia class of higher vertebrates comprising
animals that nourish their young with milk secreted from mammary glands
and have the skin more or less covered with hair. For purposes of
this subtitle, man is excluded from the term "mammal."
NUISANCE ANIMAL
Any animal whose conduct disturbs the rights of, or threatens
the safety of, or injures a member of the general public or another
animal, or interferes with the ordinary use and enjoyment of property
with such intensity so as to constitute a continuing injury, annoyance,
inconvenience or discomfort to the public health, safety or welfare.
Frequency of conduct may be a factor in determining a nuisance; however,
one incident may be sufficient to declare an animal to be a nuisance
animal.
[Added 9-28-2004 by Ord. No. 33-2004]
OWNER
When applied to the proprietorship of a dog or cat, every
person having a right of property in such dog or cat, every person
who keeps or harbors such dog or cat or has it in his or her care,
and every person who permits such dog or cat to remain on or about
any premises occupied by him or her. "Owner" is also any person who
keeps, has temporary or permanent custody of, possesses, harbors,
regularly feeds, exercises control over, or has a property right in
any animal, livestock or fowl regulated by this subtitle, provided
that veterinary hospitals, animal clinics, commercial kennels and
pet shops and their employees shall not be construed to be owners.
PET SHOP
Any business or person that acquires dogs and/or cats for
the purpose of resale, whether as owner, agent or consignee.
PRIMARY ENCLOSURE
A structure used to immediately restrict a dog or cat to
a limited amount of space, such as a room, pen, run, cage, crate,
or compartment.
RESTRAINT or RESTRAINED
The state of being secured or controlled by leash or chain
or when a dog, cat or other animal is not confined within the real
property limits of its owner's premises by a building or appropriate
transportation device. This definition shall not apply to animals
participating in field trials or obedience classes organized and sanctioned
by nationally recognized animal clubs, animals assisting disabled
persons (i.e., guide dogs), animals assisting peace officers engaged
in law enforcement duties or while being trained for law enforcement
purposes, or an animal on its owner's property, so long as such animal
is under the direct and effective sound and gesture control and is
within sight and sound of its owner, or such individuals noted above,
and the animal does not violate any of the provisions of these ordinances.
[Amended 9-28-2004 by Ord. No. 33-2004; 5-14-2013 by Ord. No.
7-2013]
VETERINARIAN
A doctor of veterinary medicine who has graduated from an
accredited and recognized school of veterinary medicine and possesses
a license to practice veterinary medicine.
There is hereby created an Animal Control Section in the Department
of Public Safety, Bureau of Police, the head of which shall be the
Chief of Police. The Police Chief may appoint or employ an animal
control officer and such other assistants and employees as may be
necessary for the proper performance of the duties and functions of
the Animal Control Section and may delegate to them such powers and
duties as deemed proper.