Sec. 4-1.  Definitions. 

 

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall prevail:

 

Animal control authority:  The term "animal control authority," wherever used in this chapter, shall mean the entity authorized to enforce the animal control laws of the city.

 

Animal control officer:  The term "animal control officer," wherever used in this chapter, shall mean the individual designated by the chief of police to have responsibility and authority for enforcing all provisions of this chapter.

 

Anti-escape:  The term "anti-escape," wherever used in this chapter, shall mean any housing, fencing, or a device which a dog cannot go over, under, through, or around.

 

Domestic animal:  The term "domestic animal," wherever used in this chapter, shall mean a cat, a dog, or livestock.  Livestock includes buffalo, deer, antelope, fowl, and any other animal in any zoo, wildlife park, refuge, wildlife area, or nature center intended to be on exhibit.

 

Dangerous dog:  The term "dangerous dog," wherever used is this chapter, shall mean (a) a dog that, according to the records of an animal control authority: (1) has killed a human being; (2) has inflicted injury on a human being that requires medical treatment; (3) has killed a domestic animal without provocation; or (4) has been previously determined to be a potentially dangerous dog by an animal control authority, the owner has received notice of such determination, and the dog inflicts an injury on a human being that does not require medical treatment, injures a domestic animal, or threatens the safety of humans or domestic animals.

(b)(1) A dog shall not be defined as a dangerous dog under subdivision (a)(2) of this section if the individual was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog at the time of the injury or has, in the past, been observed or reported to have tormented, abused, or assaulted the dog.  A dog shall not be defined as a dangerous dog under subdivision (a)(4) of this section if the injury, damage, or threat was sustained by an individual who, at the time, was committing a willful trespass, was committing any other tort upon the property of the owner of the dog, was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog, or has, in the past, been observed or reported to have tormented, abused, or assaulted the dog, or was committing or attempting to commit a crime.

 

Guard dog:  The term "guard dog," wherever used in this chap­ter, shall mean any dog that is utilized to protect commercial or industrial property or place of business.

 

Medical treatment:  The term "medical treatment," wherever used in this chapter, shall mean treatment administered by a physician or other licensed health care professional.

 

Own:  The term "own," as used in this chapter, unless other­wise indicated in the text, shall be deemed to mean and include own, keep, harbor, or have charge, custody, or control of a dog, cat or other animal.

 

Owner:  The term "owner," as used in this chapter, shall mean any person or persons, firm, association, or corporation owning, keeping, or harboring a dog, cat or other animal.

 

Person:  The term "person" shall mean and include any indi­vidual, firm, corporation, association, or partnership.

 

Potentially dangerous dog:  The term "potentially dangerous dog," wherever used in this chapter, shall mean (a) any dog that when unprovoked (1) inflicts an injury on a human being that does not require medical treatment, (2) injures a domestic animal, or (3) chases or approaches a person upon streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack or (b) any specific dog with a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack when unprovoked, to cause injury, or to threaten the safety of humans or domestic animals. 

 

Source: Ord. No. 3523, § 2, 2-1-88; Ord. No. 5023, § 1, 8-18-08