§ 6-1. 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:]

Abandoned animal shall mean the voluntary relinquishment of possession by the owner with the intention of terminating his ownership, but without vesting possession in any other person.

Animal shelter, whenever used in this chapter, shall mean any animal shelter established by any lawful authority in any city or town within the county, or by the action of the board of commissioners or county council in the county, to keep, care for or legally dispose of dogs, cats, and other animals impounded as provided for herein.

At large, whenever used in this chapter, shall mean off the premises of the owner while not under control of the owner or other person by leash, cord, chain or other device of actual physical restraint or under the control of and accompanying the owner or other person who has the ability to control the animal by voice command. However, a dog engaged in lawful hunting or a dog, which has been trained to work, working shall not be considered to be at large by the terms of this paragraph.

Domestic animals are animals considered household pets being those animals commonly bred and used as domesticated purpose are allowed in the city limits. Household pets would include dogs, cats, and caged rodents such as white mice, gerbils, ferrets, rabbits, and non-hunting birds such as pigeons, parakeets, parrots and small aquarium fish.

Exotic animals means animals sometimes kept in captivity for exhibit, controlled hunting purposes, or agricultural production, such as buffalo, deer, elk, llamas, ostriches, emus are not allowed.

Farm animals are animals usually held for agricultural or commercial production, including, but not limited to, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, mink, ermine are not allowed.

Owner, wherever used in this chapter, shall mean any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping, or harboring domestic, farm, wild, predator or exotic animal.

Peace officer, whenever used in this chapter, shall include, but is not limited to city police, city officials, animal warden or game wardens.

Predator animals means animals considered a predator in the wild, even if bred and captivity, including, but not limited to bears, wolves, coyotes, lions, tigers, cougars, panthers, and other members of the large hunting cat family, eagles, hawks, falcons, peacocks, any other members of the fowl family and other large hunting bird species, alligators, crocodiles, iguanas, and any poisonous or constrictor snakes are not allowed.

Vicious animal, whenever used in this chapter, shall be any dog, cat or other animal which is known to have an inclination to attack human beings, or other dogs, cats or other animals, except dogs so trained by duly constituted police or law enforcement authority.

Wild animals may include, but are not limited to, raccoons, squirrels, beavers, badgers, or muskrats are not allowed.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, § 1, 7-6-2010)