§ 10-2. 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:

Abandon means to cease to provide control over and cease to provide shelter, food, and water for an animal without transferring such care, custody, and physical control of such animal to another person with that person's knowledge and consent.

Animal means any living creature, both domestic and wild, except humans. "Animal" includes fowl, fish and reptiles.

Animal control officer means the person or agent of the city responsible for the care, seizure, custody, impoundment, disposal of animals, and the control of animals running at large, and who has the responsibility and authority for enforcing all provisions of this chapter. Other city employees may be designated by the city manager to assist the animal control division.

Animal shelter means the public animal shelter established and maintained by the city for the purpose of impounding and caring for animals either seized, lost, abandoned or given by owners and held under the authority of this chapter and/or state law.

Cat means a domestic feline of either sex, including one neutered or sterilized.

Dangerous dog means a dog that makes an unprovoked attack on a person that caused bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own; or commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog is being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person (V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code § 822.041).

Dog means a domestic canine of either sex, including one neutered or sterilized.

Domestic animal means and shall include all species of animals commonly and universally accepted as being domesticated.

Fowl means and includes chickens, roosters, hens, turkeys, guineas, geese, ducks and pigeons, any bird, poultry, or fowl, domestic or wild, regardless of age or sex.

Harboring means the act of keeping and caring for an animal or of providing a premises to which the animal returns for food, shelter, or care for a period of two days.

Impound means to take into custody or to place in the animal control shelter of the city or other authorized confinement area.

Kennel means any lot, building, structure, enclosure, or premises wherein six or more dogs and/or cats (at least six months of age), in any combination, are kept, harbored, or maintained, whether for profit or pleasure.

Livestock means and includes rabbits, hares, guinea pigs, horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep and swine, regardless of age or sex.

Owner means any person, firm or corporation who owns or has right of property in an animal, or harbors or provides care, custody or management of one or more animals to remain about their premises for a period of two days.

Pet animal means any dog, cat, rabbit, rodent, bird, nonpoisonous reptile, and any other species of animal which is sold or retained as a household pet, but shall not include: skunks, nonhuman primates, constricting snakes, and any other species of wild or exotic or carnivorous animal that may be further prohibited or restricted in this ordinance.

Rabies vaccination means the application of an anti-rabies vaccine into a dog, cat, or other domestic animal, which vaccine is approved by the state department of health and administered by a veterinarian by the state.

Running at large means any animal not confined by [to] premises of owner by a substantial fence or wall of sufficient strength and height to prevent the animal from escaping therefrom. Running at large also includes an animal not physically controlled by the owner or authorized representative. An animal within an automobile or other vehicle of its owner or authorized caretaker shall not be deemed running at large.

Sanitary means any condition of good order and cleanliness which precludes the probability of disease transmission.

Stray animal means any animal for which there is not an identifiable owner or harborer.

Wild animal means and shall include all species of animals which exist in a natural unconfined state and are usually not domesticated.

(Ord. No. 06-07, § 1, 8-15-06)