[Ord. No. 822 §§ 2 — 5, 4-4-2016]
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Section:
ADEQUATE CARE
Normal and prudent attention to the needs of an animal, including wholesome food, clean water, shelter and health care as necessary to maintain good health in a specific species of animal.
ADEQUATE CONTROL
Reasonable restraint sufficient to prevent an animal from running at large, or from injuring itself, or from any person, or any other animal, or from damaging any property.
ADEQUATE SHELTER
Structurally sound, properly ventilated and weatherproofed housing which is large enough to let the animal housed in it stand up, turn around, and lie down; is equipped with bedding that will not absorb water and/or freeze; and will not exacerbate existing weather conditions by, for example, absorbing heat on hot sunny days.
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 and not under the adequate control of the owner or of anyone having care custody or control. At large shall not include any dog or puppy lawfully off-leashes in a designated off-leash animal park.[1]
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 custody of the animal in question or is capable of controlling and governing the animal in question whose commands the animal is obedient.
DANGEROUS DOG
Any dog with the following characteristics:[2]
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 Director to be dangerous pursuant to Section 205.142(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 or donating dogs, cats or other small animals to other dealers, or to kennels, pet shops or research facilities.
DIRECTOR
The Director of the Division of Humane Services or any person or agent employed or designated by the Director.
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.
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 205.165 or approved by the Director of the Division of Humane Services.
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 of Humane Services of the County or its agent.
IMPOUNDING FACILITIES
Any premises designated by the County for the purpose of caring for animals impounded by the Division of Humane Services of the County or its agent.
KENNEL
Any person, group of persons or corporation engaged in buying, selling, breeding, or boarding dogs, cats or other small animals.
KITTEN
Any domestic member of the felis catus family age of six (6) months or under.
OWNER
Any person with custody of an animal who purchased, was gifted or otherwise legally acquired such animal.
PEN
A secure enclosure primarily used for dogs 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.
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 or pen 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 ATTACK
Any attack by a dog which causes a severe or fatal injury, or the death of a domestic animal.
TAG
Any object which bears the number of a certificate of vaccination and which has been issued by the authority of the Division of Humane Services of the County.
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 Sections 340.200 to 340.298, RSMo.
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: This definition was amended 10-24-2016 by Ord. No. 16-088 § 1 by St. Louis County, and said amendment is included here pursuant to Ord. No. 822 § 4, adopted 4-4-2016 by the City of Foristell, which provided that any amendments to this Section adopted by St. Louis County would be included in this Code.
[2]
Editor's Note: This definition was amended 10-24-2016 by Ord. No. 16-088 § 1 by St. Louis County, and said amendment is included here pursuant to Ord. No. 822 § 4, adopted 4-4-2016 by the City of Foristell, which provided that any amendments to this Section adopted by St. Louis County would be included in this Code.
[Ord. No. 822 §§ 2 — 5, 4-4-2016[1]]
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.
[1]
Editor’s Note: This Section was amended 10-24-2016 by Ord. No. 16-088 § 1 by St. Louis County, and said amendment is included here pursuant to Ord. No. 822 § 4, adopted 4-4-2016 by the City of Foristell, which provided that any amendments to this Section adopted by St. Louis County would be included in this Code.
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.