§ 11-1. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Animal means any living thing other than a plant or a human being.

Animal control officer means any employee of the county duly designated as an animal control officer by the board of commissioners to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

Confined means restricted by a fence or leash to the premises of the owner or custodian at all times or merely on the property under the control of the owner or custodian whereby the animal shall not be permitted to leave those premises unless leashed and accompanied by the owner or custodian. Exempted are hunting dogs while being trained and during the act of hunting.

Fowl means a bird of any kind.

Guard dog means any dog which has been trained to attack persons and/or animals independently or upon command, and any dog which, while not so trained, has a known propensity to attack persons or animals and is used for the purpose of providing security to any person or premises.

Health department means the county health department.

Livestock means all animals of the equine, bovine, or swine class, including goats, sheep, mules, and other grazing animals.

Nuisance animal means any animal which:

(1)

Molests passersby or passing vehicles;

(2)

Attacks other animals;

(3)

Trespasses on school grounds, recreational areas or parks;

(4)

Is repeatedly at large;

(5)

Damages private or public property;

(6)

Barks, whines or howls in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion; or

(7)

Constitutes a nuisance as the term is defined by the law of the state.

Owner means any person having a right of property in any animal; who keeps or harbors any animal or has its care; who permits any animal to remain on or about the premises owned, possessed or occupied by him; who voluntarily abandons an animal; or who runs an animal away after possessing or owning it.

Rabies certificate means a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian bearing a license number, ownership, name, address, breed, color and sex of animal, which shall be issued for each animal vaccinated. The date of the last vaccination of such animal shall be clearly stated on such certificate, and a copy of such certificate shall be sent by such veterinarian to the health department.

Running at large means the conduct of any animal, other than a hunting dog while hunting, not confined by its owner or keeper within walls or a fence of proper design, controlled by a leash, or kept in some manner as to keep it from coming in contact with members of the public.

Vaccinate and inoculate mean the injection of a specified dose of antirabies vaccine by a veterinarian into the proper site of an animal, such vaccine having the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Biological Control Section license number and approval stamped on the label of the container and having been approved by the state department of human resources.

Vaccine means an injectable material containing killed or live attenuated rabies virus, licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Biological Control Section, and approved by the state department of human resources. The vaccine used for the purpose of this chapter shall be stored at the temperature prescribed on the package label. An outdated vaccine shall not be used.

Veterinarian means any person who holds a valid license to practice the profession of veterinary medicine in any state of the United States or any province of Canada.

Vicious animal means an animal which has, without provocation, attacked and bitten a person or other animal.

(Ord. of 2-22-2005(1), §§ 1, 2)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.