Anderson Municipal Code Ch. 6.04 General Provisions and Definitions

Footnotes:

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* Prior history: Prior code §§ 4.1, 4.2 and 4.35 as amended by Ord. 541.

This title shall be known as and may be cited as "The Animal Title."

(Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

(Ord. No. 817, § 1, 8-21-2018)

For the purposes of this title, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

"Animal" means any domesticated creature, i.e., dog, cat, horse, cow, fowl, pig, goat, sheep, mule, burro, or rabbit, etc.

"Cat" means any cat over four months of age.

"Designee" means any person or any duly authorized agent of the Police Chief.

"Dog" means any dog over four months of age.

"Enclosure" means a fence or structure suitable to prevent the entry of young children, and which is suitable to confine a potentially dangerous or vicious dog in conjunction with other measures, which may be taken by the owner or keeper of the dog. The enclosure shall be designed in order to prevent the animal from escaping.

"Impounded" means having been received into the custody of any animal shelter authorized under the provisions of this title.

"Pigeon" means a member of the family Columbidea, and shall include "racing pigeons," "fancy pigeons" and "sporting pigeons" as defined in this section.

A. "Racing pigeon" means a pigeon which, through selective past breeding, has developed the distinctive physical and mental characteristics as to enable it to return to its home after having been released a considerable distance therefrom, and which is accepted as such by the American Racing Pigeon Union, Inc., or the International Federation of Racing Pigeon Fanciers. Also, commonly known as racing homer, homing pigeon, or carrier pigeon.

B. "Fancy pigeon" means a pigeon which, through past breeding, has developed certain distinctive physical and performing characteristics as to be clearly identified and accepted as such by the National Pigeon Association, the American Pigeon Club, or the Rare Breeds Pigeon Club. Examples: fantails, pouters, and trumpeters, etc.

C. "Sporting pigeon" means a pigeon which, through selective past breeding, has developed the ability to fly in a distinctive manner, such as aerial acrobatics or endurance flying. Examples: rollers, tipplers, tumblers, etc.

D. "Loft" means the structure(s) for the keeping or housing of pigeons permitted by this chapter.

E. "Mature pigeon" means a pigeon aged six months or older.

"Owner" means the owner of animals subject to this chapter.

"Police chief" means the sworn police officer in charge of the police department of the city or any public agency, body or individual, or any private agency, body or individual with whom the city has entered into a contract or hereafter enters into a contract for doing all things necessary and proper under this title.

"Puppy" means any dog under the age of four months of age.

"Run at large" means to be off the animal owner's property without a leash or other physical restraint attached to the animal and either affixed to a stationary object or being held by a competent person.

"Severe injury" means any physical injury to a domestic animal or a human being that results in muscle tears or disfiguring lacerations or requires multiple sutures or corrective or cosmetic surgery.

For the purposes of this title, a person is peacefully and lawfully upon the private property of the owner or possessor of the animal when he is performing any duty imposed upon him by the laws of the state, city or county, or by the postal regulations of the United States, or when he is on such property upon the invitation, expressed or implied.

No dog may be considered potentially dangerous or vicious if the threat, injury, or damage was sustained by a person who, at the time, was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises occupied by the owner or keeper of the dog; or was teasing, tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog; or has in the past been observed or reported to have teased, tormented, abused, or assaulted the dog; or was committing or attempting to commit a crime.

"Unlicensed dog" means any dog for which the license for the current year has not been paid, or to which the tag for the current year provided for in this title is not attached.

"Working hours" means hours during which the office or place of business of any animal shelter is open for the receiving of, impounding of, or caring for animals and does not include any time during which such office or place of business is closed.

(Ord. 730 (part), 2005; Ord. 703 (part), 2001)

(Ord. 755, § A.I., 2008; Ord. No. 817, § 1, 8-21-2018)