[1977 Code, § 3-101; Ord. 706, Jan. 2009; Ord. 1099, July 2021]
Whenever used in this title, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) 
ANIMAL
Any live, vertebrate or invertebrate creature, domestic or wild, warm or cold blooded, other than a human being.
(2) 
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
A person or persons designated by the city manager to carry out the provisions of this chapter including the impoundment of animals.
(3) 
ANIMAL SHELTER
An agency, organization, or premises designated by the city for the purpose of impounding and caring for any animal impounded pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(4) 
AT LARGE
Any animal shall be deemed to be at large when it is off the property of its owner and not under control of a competent person.
(5) 
DIRECT CONTROL
Means immediate and continuous physical control of an animal (excluding herding dogs, dogs in the process of hunting, police dogs and dogs participating in organized field competition) at all times such as by means of a fence, leash, cord or chain of sufficient strength to restrain the animal.
(6) 
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH
The person in charge of the animal shelter in which the impounded animal is kept.
(7) 
DOMESTIC ANIMAL
Any tame animal customarily kept by humans for companionship, including but not limited to dogs, cats, certain birds, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, turtles and the like. A tame animal is subject to the dominion and control of an owner and accustomed to living in or near human habitation.
(8) 
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Police officer, codes enforcement officer, animal control officer, or any other person or persons designated by the city manager.
(9) 
EXPOSED TO RABIES
An animal has been exposed to rabies within the meaning of this chapter if it has been bitten by, or been exposed to, any animal known to have been infected with rabies.
(10) 
FOWL
Domestic breeds of chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and guinea fowl.
(11) 
FRONT YARD
The area across a lot bounded by the front lot line and each side lot line. The depth of such yard is the shortest horizontal distance between the front lot line and the nearest portion of the residential structure thereon. It is the required open space, unoccupied by buildings between the road or street right-of-way line and the principal building. If the lot or parcel does not contain a dwelling, a fifty foot (50') minimum setback shall be required from the front lot line.
(12) 
KENNEL
An establishment for the breeding, buying, selling, or boarding of dogs or cats.
(13) 
LARGE ANIMAL
Any animal, excluding domestic dogs, weighing over one hundred (100) pounds. Examples include equine species such as horses, mules, or donkeys, wolves, or domestic dog-wolf breeds, bovine species such as cows, oxen, or bison, in addition to llamas, sheep, rams, ewes, goats, deer, and large birds such as emu, ostrich, rhea or similar animals.
(14) 
OWNER
Any person, group of persons, or corporation owning, keeping, or harboring animals.
(15) 
REAR YARD
The area across a lot bounded by the rear lot line and each side lot line. The depth of such yard is the shortest horizontal distance between the rear lot line and the nearest portion of the principal residential structure thereon. It is the required open space, except for accessory buildings as permitted, between the rear property line and the principal building. If the lot or parcel does not contain a dwelling, a fifty foot (50') minimum setback shall be required from the rear lot line
(16) 
SMALL ANIMAL
Any animal weighing less than one hundred (100) pounds, not including domestic cats and dogs.
(17) 
SPAYED FEMALE
Any female dog or cat which has been operated upon to prevent conception.
(18) 
VICIOUS
Any animal that attacks a person by biting or in any manner causing injury or the reasonable likelihood of injury; or, one who repeatedly attacks livestock or other domestic animals. However, this definition shall not apply to any animal that bites, attacks, or attempts to attack any person or animal unlawfully upon the animal owner's premises.