[Ord. No. 4503, 6-5-2023[1]]
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Section.
ABANDON
To forsake entirely, to neglect or refuse to provide or perform legal obligations for the care and support of an animal. Such abandonment shall constitute the relinquishment of all rights and claims by the owner to such animal.
ADEQUATE CARE
Normal and prudent attention to the needs of an animal, including health care as necessary to maintain good health or address illness or injury in a specific species of animal.
ADEQUATE CONTROL
Reasonable restraint sufficient to prevent an animal from running at large; from injuring itself, any person, or any other animal; or from damaging any property.
ADEQUATE FOOD
Foodstuff provided free of contamination by insects, fungus, mold, mildew or other form of spoilage, provided at suitable intervals and in suitable supply for species and age of such animal, sufficient to maintain a reasonable level of nutrition, and provided in a safe dish or container and which is provided at least every twenty-four (24) hours.
ADEQUATE SHELTER
The continuous provision of a structure having a roof, walls, and a floor, which is dry, weatherproof, and made of durable material. At a minimum, the structure must:
1. 
Be sufficient in size to allow each sheltered animal housed in it to stand up, turn around, and lie down;
2. 
Shelter the animal from the adverse effects of the elements, including access to shade from direct sunlight and protection from exposure to inclement weather conditions;
3. 
Be free of standing water and accumulated waste;
4. 
Have adequate ventilation;
5. 
Provide a solid surface, resting platform, pad, floor mat, or similar device that is large enough for the animal to lie on in a normal manner; and
6. 
Have not been declared uninhabitable under Section 500.500 of the St. Charles County Code or by the Building Official.
ADEQUATE WATER
Potable water of a drinkable temperature which is free from contamination by fecal matter, urine, mold, mildew, bacteria or other forms of spoilage which would make the water unsuitable to be consumed; and provided in a safe dish, container or by another suitable manner, in sufficient volume, and at suitable intervals to maintain normal hydration for the weather conditions and the age, species, condition, size, and type of each animal, but under no circumstances shall such interval exceed twelve (12) hours.
ADULT CAT
Any domestic member of the felis catus family over the age of six (6) months.
ADULT DOG
Any domestic member of the canis familiaris family over the age of six (6) months.
ANIMAL
Any living vertebrate except human.
AT LARGE
Off the premises of the owner, or of anyone having care, custody, or control of the animal, and not under the adequate control of the owner or of anyone having care, custody, or control of the animal. At large shall not include any dog or puppy lawfully off leash in a designated off-leash animal park.
BOARDING KENNEL
A place or establishment other than a pound where animals not owned by the proprietor are sheltered, fed and watered for a fee.
BREEDING KENNEL
A place or establishment maintaining five (5) or more female cats or dogs as breeding stock.
COMMUNITY CAT
A cat that is un-owned, free roaming, stray, lost or an abandoned former pet living in the wild that may or may not be feral or socialized.
COMPENDIUM
The current Compendium of Animal Rabies Control issued by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc.
COMPETENT PERSON
Any person, regardless of age, who has custodial or supervisory authority or control over an animal.
CONTAMINATION
Pollution, waste, fungus, mold, mildew, bacteria or other unclean material that has rendered water or food to become unusable.
DANGEROUS DOG
Any dog with the following characteristics:
1. 
Any dog which has inflicted a severe or fatal injury on a human, whether upon public or private property, provided that the Division has a signed physician’s statement documenting the injury and its treatment, and qualifying the injury as a severe or fatal injury.
2. 
Any dog declared by the Department Director to be dangerous pursuant to Section 210.142(C) and (D) of this Chapter or lawfully declared dangerous by a City or municipality within the County.
DEALER
Any person, group of persons or corporation engaged in selling, auctioning or donating dogs, cats or other small animals to other dealers, or to kennels, pet shops or research facilities.
DEPARTMENT
The St. Charles County Department of Public Health.
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR
The Director of the St. Charles County Department of Public Health.
DIVISION
The Division of Humane Services of St. Charles County, Missouri.
DIVISION DIRECTOR
The Director of the Division of Humane Services of St. Charles County, Missouri.
DOMESTICATED ANIMAL
Any animal, including but not limited to a cat, dog, kitten or puppy, that has been tamed and kept by humans primarily for labor, food or for human companionship. Domesticated animal shall not include fish or any of the following caged animals: birds, reptiles, amphibians, other small mammals weighing less than six (6) pounds, or exotic/dangerous animals.
DUNBAR SCALE
The Dunbar Dog Bite Scale, an assessment of the severity of biting problems based on an objective evaluation of wound pathology, as codified in Section 210.146 of this Chapter.
DWELLING
A building, or portion thereof, designed and used exclusively for residential occupancy.
ESTRUS
The period in the sexual cycle of most female mammals, during which they are in heat.
EXOTIC/DANGEROUS ANIMAL
Any animal not indigenous to the United States and/or not normally kept as a pet including but not limited to non-human primates, alligators, large carnivores, deadly or poisonous animals, wolves, coyotes or any animal bred with a wolf or coyote.
EXPOSED TO RABIES
Any animal, whether licensed and vaccinated for rabies or not, which has been bitten by or has been fighting with, or has consorted with an animal known to have rabies or showing symptoms of rabies.
FERAL CAT
A domestic cat born in the wild or that has reverted back to a wild state and is not tame or socialized.
FERAL CAT PROGRAM
Any program adopted as provided for in Ordinance of St. Charles County Section 205.225 (210.225 in this Code) or approved by the Division Director that provides spay/neuter services and education for and related to only feral and community cats.
GROOMING SHOP OR PARLOR
Any establishment or place where animals are bathed and/or groomed for a fee.
HARBOR
To feed, shelter, or confine an animal.
IMPOUND
To apprehend, catch, trap, net or, if necessary, kill any animal by the Division or its agent.
IMPOUNDING FACILITIES
Any premises designated by the County for the purpose of caring for animals impounded by the Division or its agent.
KITTEN
Any domestic member of the felis catus family age of six (6) months or under.
MICROCHIP
A chip encoded with a unique identification number that can be implanted in an animal for identification purposes, and is obtained from a manufacturer, a veterinary clinic, a pet services facility, or the Division.
OWNER
Any person who owns an animal. If an animal has more than one owner, all such persons are jointly and severally liable for the acts or omissions of an animal owner under this Chapter, even if the animal was in possession and control of a competent person at the time of an offense.
PEN
A secure enclosure with four (4) sides, a top, and a lockable gate/door that is large enough to allow animals free movement while inside, protection from the elements and will prevent an animal from escaping or entering.
PET SHOP
Any commercial establishment where dogs, cats or other small animals are bought, sold, or exchanged.
PROPRIETOR
An owner of a boarding or breeding kennel, pet shop, dealership or grooming parlor.
PUPPY
Any domestic member of the canis familiaris family age of six (6) months or under.
REGISTRATION-VACCINATION
The procedure of vaccinating against the rabies virus and issuing a numbered tag and an identically numbered certificate of vaccination. The words "registration" and "vaccination" shall be interchangeable.
SECURE FENCE
Any fence kept in good repair, constructed of wood, metal or plastic and built to prevent an animal from going over, under or through; and prevents the animal from putting his head or mouth through any opening.
SEVERE OR FATAL INJURY
Any physical injury resulting directly from an animal's attack or bite which registers as Level 4 or above on the Dunbar Scale.
TAG
Any object which bears the number of a certificate of vaccination and which has been issued by the authority of the Division.
VETERINARIAN
Any individual who is validly and currently licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Missouri as determined by the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board in accordance with the requirements and provisions of Missouri Revised Statute Sections 340.200 to 340.298.
WILD ANIMAL
Any indigenous species of animal which is not normally domesticated in the United States and would normally live in the wild, irrespective of its actual state of domesticity, docility or tameness.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Chapter 210, Animal Regulations, containing Sections 210.010 through 210.260, was repealed 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 4503 which effectively sets out St. Charles County's Animal Regulations in accordance with an agreement entered into by the City and the County. Prior history includes: Ord. No. 3807.
[Ord. No. 4503, 6-5-2023]
This Chapter shall apply to the unincorporated area of the County, or to any Cities or municipalities having adopted this Chapter in whole or in part pursuant to a contract for kenneling and/or enforcement with the County.
[Ord. No. 4503, 6-5-2023]
A. 
Nothing herein shall prevent the County from cooperating or joining by contract with any City, Town or Village for the regulation of animals, provided:
1. 
The Governing Body of the affected City, Town or Village consents to such cooperation or contract, and
2. 
In contracting with any City, Town or Village to render animal control services, the County agrees to enforce the provisions of this Chapter alone.