The following words and phrases, when used in this Chapter,
shall have the meanings prescribed in this section, except in those
cases where the context clearly indicates, or specifically provides
for, a different meaning:
1. ANIMAL
– Shall mean all vertebrate and invertebrate animals, whether
domesticated or wild, including, but not limited to, bees, birds and
fowl (including parakeets), cattle, cats, chickens, dogs, ducks, geese,
goats, horses, livestock of all types, mammals (including elephants),
rabbits, all reptiles, rodents, sheep, swine and turkeys.
2. ANIMAL
CONTROL OFFICER – Shall mean the person(s) responsible for enforcement
of the ordinances and regulations pertaining to animal control in
the City of Weatherford.
3. ANIMAL
SHELTER OR MUNICIPAL POUND – Shall mean any premises formally
designated by the Board of Commissioners for the purpose of impounding
and caring for animals held under the authority of this Chapter, regardless
of whether or not said premises are within the municipality's corporate
boundaries, and regardless of whether or not said premises are under
actual municipal ownership or provided for under a contractual arrangement
between the City of Weatherford and private owner(s).
4. AT
LARGE – Shall mean not under "restraint," as defined in paragraph
11 below.
5. DANGEROUS
BIRDS – Shall mean any warm-blooded, feathered vertebrate which
may constitute a physical threat to human beings.
6. HARBORING
– Shall mean allowing any animal habitually to remain or be
fed on premises.
7. KENNEL
– Shall mean any structure or place where more than four dogs,
over six months of age, are kept, bred or trained, at any single time,
or any facility designed or built to accommodate the temporary boarding
of more than four dogs over six months of age.
8. LIVESTOCK
– Shall mean all animals, other than dogs, cats, small caged
birds or small aquatic or amphibian animals.
9. OWNER
– Shall mean any person, firm or corporation owning, harboring
or keeping an animal; occupants of any premises to which a domesticated
or tamed animal customarily returns for a period of three days or
more shall be deemed to be harboring or keeping the animal, and thereby
considered to be an "owner" of said animal.
10. PET – Shall mean any animal kept for pleasure, rather than
utility.
11. RESTRAINT – Shall be deemed to be under "restraint" if confined
on the premises of its owner or on a leash and accompanied by a responsible
person as defined in paragraph 14 below.
12. VICIOUS DOG OR VICIOUS ANIMAL – Shall refer to any dog or animal
which has bitten or attempted to bite any person or animal without
provocation, or which attacks, barks or growls at and acts if it intended
to attack or bite, any person or persons or animal when not provoked.
The owner or owners of such dogs or animals shall be liable to the
full amount when such animal bites or injures any person while such
person is in or on a place where he or she has a lawful right to be.
(Reference: Title 4, 1991 O.S., Section 42.1.)
13. WILD ANIMAL – Shall mean any animal which can normally be found
living in a naturally wild state and is not ordinarily tamed or domesticated;
the term shall include animals which may be owned by a circus or wild
animal show or exhibition.
14. RESPONSIBLE PERSON – Shall mean any person 13 years of age
or older and is of physical stature sufficient enough to restrain
the animal in all circumstances.