§ 6-4-1 — DEFINITIONS

6-4-1: - DEFINITIONS

As used in this Chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them. (1980) ANIMAL: Any animal of a species that is susceptible to rabies, except man. (1980) AT LARGE: On or off premises of owner and not under control of owner or other persons acting for the owner. Any dog in a suitable enclosure which actually confines the dog shall not be considered to be running at large. (1980) ATTACK: A violent or aggressive physical contact or violent or aggressive behavior that confines the movement of a person or domestic animal. An attack on a domestic animal must include biting or an attempt to bite. (2287) DEPARTMENT: The State Department of Health Services. (1980) ENFORCEMENT AGENT: That person or persons designated by the City who is responsible for the enforcement of this Chapter and any regulations promulgated thereunder. (1980) IMPOUND: The act of taking or receiving into custody by the enforcement agent any dog or other animal for the purpose of confinement in an authorized pound in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. (1980) KENNEL: An enclosed controlled area, inaccessible to other animals, in which a person keeps, harbors, or maintains five (5) or more dogs under controlled conditions. (1980) OWNER: Any person or legal entity having a possessory property right in an animal or who harbors, cares for, exercises control over, or knowingly permits any animal to remain on premises occupied by them. (2287) POUND: Any establishment authorized for the confinement, maintenance, safekeeping, and control of dogs and other animals that come into custody of the enforcement agent in the performance of official duties. (1980) RABIES QUARANTINE AREA: Any area in which a state of emergency has been declared to exist due to the occurrence of rabies in animals in or adjacent to this area. (1980) RABIES VACCINATION CERTIFICATE: A method of recording and duplicating rabies information that is in compliance with the County enforcement agent's licensing system and/or County enforcement agent's prescribed forms. (2259) STRAY DOG: Any dog four (4) months of age or older running at large that is not wearing a valid license tag. (1980) VACCINATION: The administration of an anti-rabies vaccine to animals by a veterinarian or in authorized pounds by employees properly trained by a veterinarian. (1980) VETERINARIAN: Unless otherwise indicated, veterinarian means licensed to practice in this State or any veterinarian employed in this State by a governmental agency. (1980) VETERINARY HOSPITAL: Any establishment operated by a veterinarian licensed to practice in this State that provides clinical facilities and houses animals or birds for dental, medical, or surgical treatment. A veterinary hospital may have adjacent to it or in conjunction with it or as an integral part of it pens, stalls, cages, or kennels for quarantine, observation, or boarding. (1980) VICIOUS ANIMAL: Any animal, excluding a dog, of the order Carnivore that has a propensity to bite human beings without provocation and has been so declared after a hearing before a Justice of the Peace or City Magistrate. (2287) VICIOUS DOG: Any dog, except one assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement duties, which: (A) When unprovoked, in a vicious or terrorizing manner approaches any person or domestic animal in an apparent attitude of attack upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public or private grounds or places; or (B) The owner thereof knows, or should reasonably know, possesses a propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury, or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals; or (C) Bites, inflicts injury, assaults, or otherwise attacks a human being or domestic animal without provocation on public or private property; or (D) Is owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting; or any dog trained for dog fighting. Notwithstanding the definition of a vicious dog above, no dog may be declared vicious if an injury or damage is sustained by a person who, at the time such injury or damage was sustained, had entered upon the premises of another without license, invitation, or other right. (2287)