Amador County Municipal Code Ch. 8.04 Definitions

As used in this title, the words defined in this chapter shall have the meanings prescribed in this chapter.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Animal"

means any member of the kingdom Animalia exclusive of homo sapiens.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Animal control" or "animal control department"

means that department of the county government which is specifically charged with the regulation of, and the enforcement of laws dealing with animals, existing within the unincorporated territory of the county and the incorporated areas thereof which may, from time to time, contract with the county for such services upon terms which include, without limitation, adoption of the provisions of this title within such incorporated area(s).

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Animal control director" or "director"

means the person designated by the county as the person in charge of animal control in the county.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Animal control officer"

means an employee of the animal control department (including animal control director, animal control supervisor, and animal control officers) that is trained and employed to carry out the duties of and enforce the provisions of this title.

(Ord. 1494 § 1(part), 2000; Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Animal shelter"

means the facilities provided by the county for the impounding, relinquishment, quarantine, and adoption of animals.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

An animal (except a domestic cat) shall be considered "at large" if it is off the premises of its owner and not under restraint by leash, or not under the control and in the immediate presence of its owner.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Domestic animal"

means dogs and cats as well as horses, donkeys, mules, burros, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, llamas, camels, pot belly pigs, ostriches, emus, rheas, cassowaries, and fowl kept or raised in Amador County as farm animals or beasts of burden. The term "livestock," as used in this title, includes all domestic animals except dogs or cats.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Feral cat"

means a cat without owner identification of any kind whose usual and consistent temperament is extreme fear and resistance to contact with people, and who is totally unsocialized to people.

(Ord. 1494 § 1(part), 2000; Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Health department"

means the health department of the county of Amador.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Health officer"

means the public health officer or other person duly authorized by the public health officer or designated by the board of supervisors to act as the public health officer.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Impoundment"

means the taking up and confining of an animal by the animal control officer in accordance with the provisions of this title or other applicable law or regulation.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Commercial kennel"

means any facility or parcel within or upon which five or more dogs are boarded, trained, bred, treated or otherwise kept for remuneration or within or upon which ten or more dogs are kept, regardless whether for remuneration or not. For the purpose of applying this section, the number of dogs shall not include puppies less than six months old.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Noncommercial kennel"

means any facility or parcel upon which not less than five and not more than nine dogs are kept, other than for remuneration. For the purpose of applying this section, the number of dogs shall not include puppies less than six months old, nor shall this section or the regulatory provisions of this code dealing with noncommercial kennels apply to parcels zoned AG – exclusive agriculture district.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Owner"

means a person who possesses, has title to or an interest in, harbors, or has custody, control, or possession of an animal, and the verb form of "to own" as used in this title includes all these shades of meaning.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Person"

includes one or more individuals, as well as corporations, partnerships, associations, estates, and trusts, and in general every type of natural person or entity capable of owning or possessing property, real or personal.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Quarantine"

means the confinement of an animal upon the premises of the owner or elsewhere as approved by the health officer.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Vaccination"

means the inoculation of a dog or cat with a vaccine approved by, and in the manner approved or prescribed by, the State Department of Public Health.

(Ord. 1494 § 1(part), 2000; Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Veterinarian"

means a person licensed by the state to practice veterinary medicine.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)

"Wild animal"

means and includes any of the following:

A.

The following members of the Class Mammalia:

Order Carnivora, expressly excepting the domestic dog (canis familiaris) and the domestic cat (felis catus), but including, but not limited to, the family Felidae (such as ocelots, margays, tigers, jaguars, leopards, and cougars), and the family Canidae (such as wolves, dingos, coyotes, and jackals);

Order Marsupialia (such as, but not limited to, kangaroos and opossums);

Order Chiroptera (bats);

Order Edentata (such as, but not limited to, sloths, anteaters, and armadillos);

Order Proboscidea (elephants);

Order Primata (including, but limited to, monkeys, chimpanzees, and gorillas); and

Order Ungulata (expressly excluding any animal which would be included within the definition of "domestic animal," in Section 8.04.080), including, but not limited to, antelope, deer, and bison.

B.

The following members of the Class Reptilia:

Order Ophidia (such as, but not limited to, racers, boas, water snakes, and pythons) over eight feet in length;

Order Loricata (such as, but not limited to, alligators, caymans, and crocodiles) over three feet in length; and

Order Sauria (excepting iguanas) over three feet in length.

C.

The following members of the Class Aves: Order Falconiformes (such as, but not limited to, hawks, eagles, and vultures which are not kept pursuant to federal or state permit); and

D.

Any nondomestic species when kept, maintained, or harbored in such numbers or in such a manner as to constitute the likelihood of danger to the animals themselves, to human beings, or to the property of human beings.

E.

Any species of animal which is venomous to human beings whether its venom is transmitted by bite, sting, touch, or other means, except honey-producing bees.

F.

Any hybrid animal which is part wild animal and is capable of transmitting rabies, except livestock hybrids, and for which no rabies prophylaxis is recognized or authorized by the state.

(Ord. 1436 § 1(part), 1997)