As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
AT LARGE
An animal shall be deemed at large under one or more of the
following circumstances:
A.
Whenever the animal is not on the owner's premises
or property unaccompanied by the owner or other responsible person
capable of physically restraining the animal and/or controlling its
behavior.
B.
Whenever the animal is not under direct control
by the owner or other responsible person by means of a leash or personal
presence sufficient to control the animal's conduct.
FARM ANIMAL
For the purpose of this chapter, shall include, but not be
limited to: cows, horses, mules, donkeys, goats, sheep, hogs, llamas,
chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and pigeons, or similar fowl or hooved
animals.
KEEPING or HARBORING
The act of feeding or sheltering an animal on the physical
premises by the owner or occupant of those premises.
OWNER
Any person having a right of property in an animal, and any
person who keeps or harbors an animal, has it in his care, acts as
a custodian, or otherwise permits that animal to remain on or about
any premises owned, occupied or controlled by him.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
Any animal found repeatedly to be disturbing the public peace,
damaging property, molesting, or showing intent to molest passersby,
chasing vehicles, or acting in any manner which is deemed to be doing
damage to public or private property or to the public health and safety,
or which is known to have bitten two or more persons, which shall
have been determined by any authorized health official to be a detriment
to public health or safety, or depositing excretory matter on property
other than that of the owner. The owner of any such animal may be
charged with maintaining a public nuisance.
VICIOUS ANIMAL
Any animal that constitutes a physical threat to human beings
or other animals by virtue of its conduct, behavior, or specialized
training, except animals belonging to a government agency and acting
in the official performance of authorized duty or duties.
It shall be unlawful to keep and maintain within the corporate limits of the Town any animals generally considered to be farm animals, except as provided in §
245-119.3 of the Federalsburg Zoning Ordinance.
All owners of any animal or animals shall exercise sufficient care and control of such animals to prevent those animals from being a public nuisance as defined in §
17-1.
It shall be unlawful for any owner or keeper of an animal to permit that animal to run at large as defined in §
17-1 within the corporate limits of the Town of Federalsburg.
Any vicious animal, or an animal which has demonstrated
behavior which may be deemed vicious, must be confined to the physical
premises or property of its owner or custodian, at all times, in a
manner sufficient to prevent that animal from reaching persons who
may have reason to lawfully enter upon those premises at any reasonable
time. Such animal shall not be taken from that confinement on the
premises unless muzzled or under sufficient control to prevent threats
to public safety.
The Mayor and Council of Federalsburg through
their agents, employees, and designees are hereby authorized and directed
to administer and enforce this chapter within the municipal boundaries
of the Town of Federalsburg.
If, at any time, it is deemed by a law enforcement
officer or any other person authorized to enforce the provisions contained
herein that one or more provisions of this chapter are in conflict
with the animal control laws and regulations of Caroline County, Maryland,
the more restrictive provisions shall apply.