§ 6-1. Definitions.

For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases, words, abbreviations and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein. Words not defined shall be given their meaning as provided in section 6-1, Animals, of this Code.

Animal means any living dumb creature.

Animal rescue organization means a humane society or other duly incorporated or organized nonprofit organization operated as a bona fide charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which organization is devoted to the rescue, care and/or adoption of stray, abandoned or surrendered animals and which does not breed animals.

Animal shelter means a county, municipal or public animal shelter or that of a duly incorporated or organized nonprofit organization operated as a bona fide charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code devoted to the rescue, care and/or adoption of stray, abandoned or surrendered animals, and which does not breed animals.

Cat means an animal of any age of the species of domestic cat, Felis catus.

Certificate of source means a document certifying the source of the dog or cat.

Dog means an animal of any age of the species of domestic dog, Canis familiaris.

Domesticated means those species of animals that generally live in or about the habitation of humans, including, but not limited to dogs, cats, cows, horses, fowl, sheep, goats and pigs.

Impounded means any animal which is received into custody by any employee of the county.

Offer for sale means to sell, offer for sale or adoption, advertise for the sale of, barter, auction, give away or otherwise dispose of a dog or cat.

Owner means any person having a license for, or legal title to an animal or feeding, having charge of, harboring, keeping, possessing, sheltering or taking care of any animal for seven (7) or more consecutive days unless the animal is being boarded for a fee. If a commercial kennel is involved for breeding, then ownership shall be indicated by the kennel operator by showing the registration of the animal in the name of the actual owner of the animal.

Pet means any animal that is kept or maintained for pleasure rather than utility.

Pet store means any retail establishment open to the public that sells, or offers for sale pets, regardless of the age.

Pet store operator means a person or business entity that owns or operates a pet store, or both.

Retail sale includes display, offer for sale, offer for adoption (except as provided in section 6-36(d) herein), barter, auction, or give away of any dog or cat.

Vicious animal means any animal that attacks a person by biting or in any manner causing injury or the reasonable likelihood of injury or one (1) who habitually or repeatedly attacks other animals. However, this provision shall not apply to any animal that bites, attacks or attempts to attack any person or animal trespassing upon its owner's or keeper's premises or which is provoked to attack.

Wild animal means any animal which can normally be found in a wild state including those feral, exotic, dangerous or nondomestic animals which generally do not live in or about the habitation of humans such as monkeys, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, deer, tigers, lions and the like.

(Code 1953, § 6-1; Ord. No. C-81-84, § 2, 9-29-81; Ord. No. C-17-12 , § 2, 6-20-17)