For purposes of this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, certain words and phrases shall have the meanings given them in this section.
means all nonhuman members of the animal kingdom including domestic, exotic and livestock species.
means the Poundmaster and any individual authorized by the Poundmaster to act on his or her behalf in the enforcement of the provisions of Title 7 of the Santa Rosa City Code.
means a specifically trained canine assigned to a disabled person for the specific purpose of assisting the disabled person. Assistance dogs include, but are not limited to, guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs, canine companions and pet-assisted therapy dogs.
means that individual designated by the City Council to enforce and observe quarantine regulations and other provisions relating to public health within the City of Santa Rosa.
means a device that is required by this chapter to be worn to designate the status of the animal as a dangerous or vicious animal. The Poundmaster shall establish within 20 days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section such rules and regulations for the design and wearing of a collar or other device which should be visible at 50 feet during normal daylight hours. The collar or other device shall be made available by the Poundmaster and provided for the animal at the owner's expense.
means any animal customarily kept by humans for companionship, including, but not limited to: dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, hamsters, mice, turtles and the like.
means a fence or structure suitable to prevent the entry of minor children, and which is suitable to confine a vicious animal in conjunction with other measures which may be taken by the owner or keeper of the animal. The enclosure shall be designed in order to prevent the animal from escaping. "Enclosure" of a potentially dangerous animal means containment of the animal within the owner or keeper's dwelling or within a fence or structure on the property designed to prevent the animal from escaping. The animal shall be housed pursuant to Section 597t of the California Penal Code.
means any species of animal not considered domestic or livestock. For the purpose of this definition "exotic animal" includes, but is not limited to: nonpoisonous snakes and lizards and pot-bellied pigs.
means any place or premises devoted to the keeping, harboring, breeding, buying, or selling of four or more dogs, or six or more mammalian animals of the same species, age four months or over.
means any animal customarily kept by humans for the purpose of providing food, clothing or work, including, but not limited to: equine, bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine and fowl, but excluding bees.
means any device that an animal is required to wear by this chapter to prevent the animal from biting a person or other animal. At the discretion of the Poundmaster, rules and regulations shall be established within 20 days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section for the design and use of such devices. These regulations are intended to provide flexibility of design appropriate to the specific animal to be muzzled.
means any person who owns, keeps or harbors an animal, for 15 or more consecutive days, except a veterinarian or an operator of a kennel or pet shop engaged in the regular practice of his business as such. "To own" an animal is to keep, harbor or shelter an animal for 15 consecutive days or more.
means any premises devoted to the commercial trade of selling live animals for use as pets.
means any Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog, or any mixed breed of dog which contains, as an element of its breeding, the breed of Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier as to be identifiable as partially of the breed of Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier.
means any of the following:
Any animal which, when unprovoked, has attacked or bitten a person causing less than a severe injury.
Any animal which, when it is off the property of its owner or keeper, and is unprovoked, has attacked or bitten a domestic animal causing less than a severe injury.
Any animal which, when unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior 36-month period, engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the animal are off the property of the owner or keeper of the animal.
Any animal which, when it is off the property of its owner or keeper, and is unprovoked, has killed or caused severe injury to a domestic animal may, at the City Attorney's discretion, be designated either a "potentially dangerous animal" or "vicious animal."
means that person appointed in accordance with Section 7-16.010.
means any dog under the control of a peace officer in the performance of, or training for, public service.
to a human being means any physical injury that results in muscle tears or disfiguring lacerations that require multiple sutures or corrective or cosmetic surgery, or broken or dislocated bone(s) or permanent nerve damage. "Severe injury" to a domestic animal means an injury that results in muscle tears or lacerations that require multiple sutures, broken or dislocated bone(s), permanent nerve damage, or corrective surgery.
means any of the following:
Any animal which, when unprovoked, in an aggressive manner, inflicts severe injury on or kills a human being.
Any animal previously determined to be and currently listed as a potentially dangerous animal which, after its owner or keeper has been notified of this determination, continues the behavior described in the definition of potentially dangerous animal set out above, or is maintained in violation of Section 7-12.100 and/or Section 7-30.040.
Any animal which, when it is off the property of its owner or keeper, and is unprovoked, has killed or caused severe injury to a domestic animal may, at the City Attorney's discretion, be designated either a "potentially dangerous animal" or "vicious animal."
(Prior code § 3.1; Ord. 2943 § 1, 1992; Ord. 3160 § 6, 1994; Ord. 3258 § 3, 1996; Ord. 3796 § 2, 2006; Ord. 2022-013 §§ 2—5)