8.02.011 Definitions.
The following terms shall have the following definitions:
“Animal Control Officer” means a person designated by the Town to enforce this chapter.
“Animal shelter” means a facility operated by the Town or its authorized agents to care for dogs impounded or held by authority of this chapter or state law.
“Commercial kennel” means a property maintained primarily to keep, board, train, treat, or breed three or more dogs, but not more than six adult dogs, wherein the dogs are confined or otherwise kept in such a manner so as to prevent them leaving the property unrestrained.
“Dangerous dog” means any dog that according to records of the Animal Control Officer or Town Police: (a) has inflicted severe injury on a human being without provocation on public or private property, (b) has killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner’s property, or (c) has been previously found to be potentially dangerous, the owner having received notice of such and the dog again aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of humans or domestic animals.
“Household” means a home, house, apartment or other property where one or more dogs are kept by one or more owners or keepers of a dog or dogs.
Impounded. A dog or cat shall be considered as being impounded upon seizure by an Animal Control Officer.
“Potentially dangerous dog” means any dog that when unprovoked:
(a) Inflicts bites on a human or a domestic animal either on public or private property; and/or
(b) Chases or approaches a person in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public or private grounds within the Town other than the grounds of the dog’s owner or keeper; and/or
(c) Any dog with a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked or to cause injury or otherwise to threaten the safety of humans or domestic animals.
“Public nuisance” means:
(a) A dog that chases vehicles upon streets or other public grounds;
(b) A dog or cat that is running at large or otherwise not restrained as required under the provisions of this chapter;
(c) A dog or cat that damages public or private property other than that of its owner or keeper;
(d) A dog that continuously barks, whines or howls in such a manner as to disturb or annoy neighbors or the public;
(e) A dog or cat that defecates on public or private property other than that of its owner or keeper;
(f) Any person who feeds a dog or cat not owned by such person; provided, this does not apply to any employees or agents of the Town feeding a dog or cat which has been impounded pursuant to this chapter; or
(g) The owning or keeping of more than six cats within the Town.
“Restraint” or “restrained” means any dog: (a) secured by a leash or lead under the immediate control of a person of sufficient age and competence to control the dog; or (b) any dog which is secured by a leash or confined within a kennel, residence, cage, or other building or structure located on its owner’s or keeper’s private property, and which is constructed in such a manner so as to keep the dog confined at all times within the building or structure; or (c) any dog present on the property of its owner or keeper which is not physically confined or secured by a leash or lead, but is confined to the property by training, habit, or voice command.
“Town Police” means any person or persons designated by the Town to act as the Town law enforcement officer or officers. (Ord. 479-N, §1, 2021; Ord. 306-N, §1, 2004; Ord. 246-N, §1, 1996)