§ 600. Definitions.

A.

Animal Welfare shall mean a local government authority acting alone or in concert with other local governmental units for enforcement of the animal welfare laws of the city, county and state and the shelter and welfare of animals.

B.

Animal Welfare Officer shall mean any individual employed, contracted with or appointed by animal welfare for the purpose of aiding the enforcement of any law or ordinance relating to the licensure of animals, control of animals, or seizure and impoundment of animals, and includes any state or local law enforcement officer or other employee whose duties in whole or in part include assignments that involve the seizure and impoundment of any animal.

C.

Dangerous Dog shall mean any dog that:

1.

Has inflicted severe injury on a human being without provocation on public or private property; or

2.

Has been previously found to be potentially dangerous, the owner having received notice of such by the animal control authority in writing and the dog thereafter aggressively bites, attacks or endangers the safety of humans.

D.

Owner shall mean any person, firm, corporation, organization or department possessing, harboring, keeping, having an interest in or having control or custody of an animal.

E.

Potentially Dangerous Dog shall mean any dog that when unprovoked inflicts bites on a human either on public or private property.

F.

Proper Enclosure of a Dangerous Dog means, while on the owner's property, a dangerous dog shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure with at least One Hundred Fifty (150) square feet of space for each dog kept therein which is over six (6) months of age, and which is suitable to prevent the entry of children and designed to prevent the animal from escaping. Such pen or structure shall have secure sides and a secure top, and shall also provide protection from the elements for the dog.

G.

Severe Injury shall mean any physical injury that results in broken bones or lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery.

(Ord. Nos. 19038, 19143; Ord. No. 21979, § 1, 12-18-2008)