§ 6.05.020. Definitions.  


Latest version.
  • As used in this title, the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section. All words and phrases defined in this section shall also include their usual and natural meanings, as well as those herein specifically given.

    "Animal" means any animal of any species that is susceptible to rabies, except human beings.

    "At large" means any animal not confined within a building, shelter, walled or fenced area or under the control of a person, either by leash, cord, chain or other physical restraint, whether on or off the premises of the owner or person acting for the owner; in a manner such as to keep the dog exclusively on the premises where secured.

    "Attack" means a violent or aggressive physical contact or violent or aggressive behavior that confines the movement of a person or domestic animal. An attack by an animal may include biting or an attempt to bite.

    "Collar" means a band, chain, harness or suitable device worn around the neck of a dog to which a license may be affixed.

    "Department" means the Arizona Department of Health Services.

    "Dog" means a member of the Canis familaris family.

    "Enforcement agent" means that person or persons designated by the city that is/are responsible for the enforcement of this chapter and any regulations promulgated hereunder.

    "Impound" means the act of taking or receiving into custody, by the enforcement agent, any dog or animal for the purpose of confinement in an authorized pound in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

    "Kennel" means an enclosed, controlled area, inaccessible to other animals, in which a person keeps, harbors, or maintains from five to a maximum of ten dogs over the age of three months under controlled conditions.

    "License" means a tag to be attached to a collar or harness which shall be worn by a dog over the age of three months at all times.

    "Livestock" means neat animals, horses, sheep, goats, swine, mules, and donkeys.

    "Neat" means any domesticated livestock of the "Bovine Genus" family.

    "Owner" means any person or legal entity having a possessory property right in an animal or who harbors, cares for, exercises control over, or knowingly permits any animal to remain on premises occupied by said person or legal entity.

    "Pound" means any establishment authorized for the confinement, maintenance, safekeeping, and control of dogs and other animals that come into custody of the enforcement agent in the performance of official duties.

    "Rabies quarantine area" means any area in which a state of emergency has been declared to exist due to the occurrence of rabies in animals in or adjacent to this area.

    "Rabies vaccination certificate" means a method of recording and duplicating rabies information that is in compliance with the city enforcement agent's licensing system and/or city enforcement agent's prescribed forms.

    "Stray dog" means any dog three months of age or older running at large that is not wearing a valid license tag.

    "Vaccination" means the administration of an anti-rabies vaccine to animals by a veterinarian or in authorized pounds by employees properly trained by a veterinarian.

    "Veterinarian", unless otherwise indicated, means any veterinarian licensed to practice in this state or any veterinarian employed in this state by a governmental agency.

    "Veterinary hospital" means any establishment operated by a veterinarian licensed to practice in this state that provides clinical facilities and houses animals or birds for dental, medical, or surgical treatment. A "veterinary hospital" may have adjacent to it or in conjunction with it or as an integral part of it pens, stalls, cages, or kennels for quarantine, observation, or boarding.

    "Vicious animal" any animal of the order carnivora, that has a propensity to attack, to cause injury to or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings without provocation, or that has been so declared after a hearing before a justice of the peace/city magistrate.

(Ord. NS301, § 2(6-5-2), 2010)

State law reference

Definitions, A.R.S. 11-1001; dogs; liability, A.R.S. 11-1020.