For the purposes of this chapter, the following
words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
ANIMAL
Any living, nonhuman vertebrate creature.
ANIMAL SHELTER or ANIMAL POUND
Any premises so designated by the Department of Inspections,
Licenses and Permits for the purposes of impounding and caring for
animals found running at large or in violation of this chapter.
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits.
DOG AT LARGE
Any dog will be deemed to be "at large" when it is upon the
property of a person other than the owner or within the traveled portion
of any public road and not leashed or under the control of the owner
and obedient to the owners command.
OWNER
Any person owning, keeping, harboring or acting as custodian
of an animal. Any animal owned by a minor shall be deemed to be owned,
for the purposes of this section, by the parents or guardians with
whom the minor resides.
PET SHOP
A business establishment that sells and/or offers to sell
animals, whether as an owner or an agent of the owner, to the general
public. Horse farms licensed by the state shall not be considered
"pet shops."
SHERIFF
The Sheriff of Harford County, his deputies or designee.
SUSPECTED RABID ANIMAL
An animal shall be considered "rabid" if it has been bitten
by or exposed to any animal infected with the rabies virus.
VICIOUS OR DANGEROUS ANIMAL
Any animal that may pose a physical threat to human beings,
animals or livestock by virtue of specific training or demonstrated
propensities or behavior; any animal which, without provocation, has
bitten or attacked a human being or other animal or livestock shall
be presumed to be "vicious."
The Department shall issue licenses for the
following types of dogs without the payment of any fee:
A. A dog professionally trained to aid the blind, visually
handicapped, deaf, hearing impaired or mobility impaired;
B. A dog used by a law enforcement agency, fire, EMS,
or rescue services; or
[Amended by Bill No. 15-011]
C. A dog used by an officer of the Humane Society of
Harford County, Inc.