As used in this chapter the following definitions shall apply:
A dog shall be considered a public nuisance if it:
Bites a person;
Chases vehicles or persons;
Damages or destroys property of persons other than the owner of the dog;
Scatters garbage;
Trespasses on private property of persons other than the owner of the dog;
Disturbs any person by frequent or prolonged noises;
Is a female in heat and is running at large; or
Deposits animal wastes on any property not the property of the owner or keeper. It shall be a defense to this section if the dog owner immediately removes the solid waste.
A dog shall not be considered a public nuisance or destroyed if the dog bites a person wrongfully assaulting the dog or the dog's owner or if the dog bites a person trespassing upon premises occupied by the dog's owner after being provoked by that person. |
means any person who has charge or manages the collective affairs of a collective body of persons residing together, the relations between whom are of a permanent and domestic character.
means, in addition to its ordinary meaning, the parents or guardian of an animal owner when the owner is under the age of 18 years and when the owner resides with the parent or guardian on the date of the alleged violation of any provision of this Chapter.
means ratites, psittacines, horses, mules, jackasses, cattle, llamas, sheep, goats, swine, domesticated fowl and any fur-bearing animal bred and maintained commercially or otherwise, within pens, cages and hutches.
means any person having a right of property in an animal or who harbors an animal or who has it in the care of the person, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by the person. "Owner" does not include veterinarians or lawfully established kennel operators temporarily maintaining on their premises animals owned by other persons for a period of not more than thirty (30) days.
A dog shall be considered to be running at large when it is off or outside the premises belonging to the owner or keeper of such dog, or not in the company of or under the control of its owner or keeper. This definition of running at large does not apply to the use of a dog under the supervision of a person in order to legally hunt, chase or tree wildlife; use of a dog to control or protect livestock; or use of a dog in other related agricultural activities.
(Ord. O-14-01 § 1.0, 2001; Ord. O-111-07 § 1 Exh. A (part), 2007)