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:
ANIMALAny 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 HOSPITALAny 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 SECTIONThat 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 SHELTERAny 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 LARGEAny 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]
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.
CAGEAny 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.
CARNIVOROUSMeat 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.
CATAny member of the genus and species known as "Felis domesticus."
CATTERYAny 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.
DOGAny member of the genus and species known as "Canis familiaris."
FOSTER HOMEAny person or residence that takes in stray or unknown dogs and cats for the purpose of rehabilitating and placing them free of charge.
HEALTHFULA 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 AGENCYA duly incorporated animal protection or animal welfare organization.
HUMANE AGENTA representative of a duly incorporated animal protection or animal welfare organization.
IMPOUNDThe action by the Police Bureau or authorized local agency to apprehend, catch, trap, net, or, if necessary, kill any animal.
KENNELAny 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.
MAMMALAny 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 ANIMALAny 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]
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 SHOPAny business or person that acquires dogs and/or cats for the purpose of resale, whether as owner, agent or consignee.
PRIMARY ENCLOSUREA 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 RESTRAINEDThe 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]
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.