As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ANIMAL CONTROL AUTHORITY
The entity authorized to enforce the City's animal control
laws and includes any local law enforcement agency or other agency
designated by the City to enforce the City's animal control laws.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
Any individual employed, appointed, or authorized by an animal
control authority for the purpose of aiding in the enforcement of
this article or any other law or ordinance relating to the licensure
of animals, control of animals, or seizure and impoundment of animals
and includes any state or local law enforcement officer or other employee
whose duties in whole or in part include assignments that involve
the seizure and impoundment of any animal.
DANGEROUS DOG
A.
A dog that, according to the records of an animal control authority:
(1)
Has killed a human being;
(2)
Has inflicted injury on a human being that requires medical
treatment;
(3)
Has killed a domestic animal without provocation; or
(4)
Has been previously determined to be a potentially dangerous
dog by an animal control authority, the owner has received notice
from an animal control authority or an animal control officer of such
determination, and the dog inflicts an injury on a human being that
does not require medical treatment, injures a domestic animal, or
threatens the safety of humans or domestic animals.
B.
Exceptions.
(1)
A dog shall not be defined as a dangerous dog under Subsection
A(2) of this definition, and the owner shall not be guilty under §
213-4.7, if the individual was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog at the time of the injury or has, in the past, been observed or reported to have tormented, abused, or assaulted the dog.
(2)
A dog shall not be defined as a dangerous dog under Subsection
A(4) of this definition, and the owner shall not be guilty under §
213-4.7, if the injury, damage, or threat was sustained by an individual who, at the time, was committing a willful trespass as defined in Neb. RS 20-203, 28-520, or 28-521, was committing any other tort upon the property of the owner of the dog, was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog, or has, in the past, been observed or reported to have tormented, abused, or assaulted the dog, or was committing or attempting to commit a crime.
(3)
A dog shall not be defined as a dangerous dog under Subsection
A of this definition if the dog is a police animal as defined in Neb. RS 28-1008
DOMESTIC ANIMAL
A cat, a dog, or livestock. Livestock includes buffalo, deer,
antelope, fowl, and any other animal in any zoo, wildlife park, refuge,
wildlife area, or nature center intended to be on exhibit.
MEDICAL TREATMENT
Treatment administered by a physician or other licensed health
care professional that results in sutures or surgery or treatment
for one or more broken bones.
OWNER
Any person, firm, corporation, organization, political subdivision,
or department possessing, harboring, keeping, or having control or
custody of a dog.
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG
A.
Any dog that, when unprovoked:
(1)
Inflicts an injury on a human being that does not require medical
treatment;
(2)
Injures a domestic animal; or
(3)
Chases or approaches a person upon streets, sidewalks, or any
public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack;
or
B.
Any specific dog with a known propensity, tendency, or disposition
to attack when unprovoked, to cause injury, or to threaten the safety
of humans or domestic animals.
Any dangerous dog may be immediately confiscated by an animal
control officer if the owner is in violation of this article. The
owner shall be responsible for the reasonable costs incurred by the
animal control authority for the care of a dangerous dog confiscated
by an animal control officer or for the destruction of any dangerous
dog if the action by the animal control authority is pursuant to law
and if the owner violated this article. (Neb. RS 54-620)
In addition to any other penalty, a court may order the animal
control authority to dispose of a dangerous dog in an expeditious
and humane manner. (Neb. RS 54-621)
Except as provided in §
213-4.7, any owner who violates §§
213-4.1 through
213-4.5 shall be guilty of a Class IV misdemeanor. (Neb. RS 54-622)