For the purposes of this title, unless it is plainly evident
from the context that a different meaning is intended, certain terms
used in this title are defined as follows in this chapter.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
A.
"Animal
control officer" means the city manager or such person as the city
manager has designated to perform the duties of the position, or such
person with whom the city has contracted to perform such duties which
shall be subordinate to authorized city staff that oversee the contract,
or such person who is otherwise obligated by law to perform such duties.
B.
"Health
officer" means the health officer of the city or such other person
or persons as are duly authorized by law to perform local health officer
duties within the city.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
"Dog" means any member of the canine family and includes female
as well as male dogs.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
"At large" means any dog which is off the premises of its owner,
custodian or caretaker and which is not under physical restraint by
a leash of a size and material appropriate to the size and temperament
of the dog and which is held by a person capable of restraining such
dog, or is not otherwise physically restrained by some other device
or instrumentality, except that such device or instrumentality shall
not include voice control, eye control or signal control of the dog
by any person device or instrumentality.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
"Owner" means any person who is the legal owner, keeper, harborer,
possessor or the actual custodian of any animal. Ownership is also
established by a document, or by a person claiming ownership and taking
possession of an animal.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
"Unlicensed dog" means any dog for which no valid license is
currently in force.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
"Kennel" means any building, structure, enclosure, or premises
whereupon, or within which, five or more dogs, four months of age
or older are kept or maintained.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
"Cattery" means any building, structure, enclosure, or premises
whereupon, or within which, five or more cats, three months of age
or older are kept or maintained.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
"Vicious animal" or "dangerous animal" means a dog which:
A.
Has
behaved in such a manner that the owner thereof knows or should reasonably
know that the dog has tendencies to attach or bite human beings; or
B.
Has
bitten, attacked, or shown the disposition, tendency, or propensity
to attack, bite, or otherwise cause injury to a person engaged in
lawful activity; or
C.
Has
once attacked or bitten a person engaged in lawful activity, causing
death or substantial injury; or
D.
Has
been determined by a doctor of veterinary medicine, after observation
thereof, as posing a danger to humans or domestic animals if not enclosed
or muzzled; or
E.
Has
attacked, or behaved in such a manner that the owner thereof knows
or should reasonably know that the dog has tendencies to attack domestic
animals without provocation; or
F.
Has
been trained for fighting for or as an attack dog, except such dogs
which are employed by the police department of the city or the county.
Any dog which is outfitted with a training device for fighting or
attack, such as a weighted collar around the neck of the dog, shall
be presumed to be a dog trained as a fighting or attack dog;
G.
Has
been determined by the city council after a noticed public hearing
to be a vicious animal within the meaning of this section.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
Signs shall be posted at or near all entrances to the premises
stating "Beware of Vicious Dog." The sign must contain letters at
least two inches in height.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
"Guide dog" means any dog trained or being reared, trained or
used for the purpose of guiding a blind person.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
"Service dog" means any dog being reared, trained or used for
the purpose of fulfilling the particular requirements of a physically
disabled person, including but not limited to minimal protection work,
rescue work, pulling a wheelchair or fetching dropped items.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
"Signal dog" means any dog trained or being reared, trained
or used for the purpose of alerting a deaf person or a person whose
hearing is impaired, to intruders or sounds.
(Ord. 874 § 1, 1998)
