La Habra Municipal Code Ch. 6.04 Definitions

For the purpose of this title, the following words and phrases are defined and shall be construed as set out in this chapter unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended. The present tense includes the past and future tense; each gender includes the other. The singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Animal" means any animal, mammal, bird, reptile, fish, or any other dumb creature or any live vertebrate creature other than a human being.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Animal shelter" means the facility designated by the council to receive care and cause a proper disposition of those animals that come under the care of the city by virtue of the duties imposed upon the animal control officer(s) by this title.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Animal control officer" means those persons employed by the city and empowered by the chief of police whose duties relate to the enforcement of laws and ordinances concerning animals.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Bird" means any bird of any age of either sex, including any fowl, exotic or domestic bird.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Cat" means any cat of any age of either sex.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Dog" means any dog of any age of either sex.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Exotic animal" means any non-native animal not normally considered being a domestic animal, fowl or livestock. Such animals might include but are not limited to an alligator, crocodile, caiman or other large reptile including snakes, a chimpanzee, monkey or other primate, a lion, tiger cheetah, ocelot or other large cat, an ostrich, pea fowl or other large bird.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Fowl" means a bird usually raised for consumption. In this environment a fowl could include but is not limited to chicken, duck, goose, turkey, pigeon, quail, or pheasant.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Grooming shop or parlor" means any person, firm, or corporation operating a business or establishment where customers take their animals to be washed, clipped, or groomed.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Impounded" means having been taken or received into the custody of the animal control officer or any authorized agent or representative thereof, or any police officer of the city (31607 F&A).

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Kennel" means any lot, building, structure, enclosure or premises whereon four or more dogs, or cats are being kept, boarded or maintained.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Livestock" means any cattle, goat, sheep, swine, or other animals raised primarily for consumption and any horse, mule donkey, burro or other equine. It does not include those species that are usually kept as pets, such as dogs, cats, and pet birds. (18663 — Food & Agriculture Code).

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Owner or responsible person" means any person having custody, care and control of any dog or cat or other common household pet for ten consecutive days shall be deemed the owner or responsible person of such animal, except any veterinarian, or kennel operator having in his possession or control any animal for the purpose of treatment or other care.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Potentially dangerous dog" means any dog which: (a) when unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior thirty-six month period engaged in any behavior that required a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the dog were off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog, (b) when unprovoked has bitten a person causing a minor injury, or (c) when unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior thirty-six month period, has killed, seriously bitten, inflicted injury or otherwise caused injury to another domestic animal while off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog (31602 F&A).

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Quarantine" means isolation of a dog or other animal in an enclosure or other environment so that the dog or animal cannot be subject to other animals or unauthorized persons.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Pet shop" means any person, firm, or corporation operating an establishment where live animals, including fish, are kept for sale, for hire, or sold.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Unlicensed dog" means any dog over the age of four months upon which the current plate or tag provided for in this title is not attached.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Vicious dog" means: (a) Any dog seized under section 599aa of the Penal Code (Dog Fighting) and upon conviction of the dog's owner or keeper for violations of section 597.5(a) of the Penal Code, (b) Any dog which, when unprovoked, in an aggressive manner inflicts a severe injury (31604 F&A) on or kills a human being, or (c) Any dog previously determined to be and currently listed as a "potentially dangerous dog" (6.04.140) which, after its owner or keeper has been notified of this determination, continues or repeats the behavior described in Section 6.04.140, or is kept or maintained in accordance with the provisions established through the declaration hearing as described in Section 6.20.200.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)

"Wild animal" means any amphibian, bird, fish, mammal, reptile or other animal which is not normally domesticated in this state; or any non-domestic, or untrained animal which because of its size, natural disposition, or other characteristic constitutes a hazard or menace to persons or other animals, or is likely to damage property. Such animals might include but are not limited to a bear, cougar, wolf or coyote, ferret, opossum, raccoon, skunk, squirrel or weasel, or an eagle, hawk, falcon or other bird of prey.

(Ord. 1627 § 1, 2003)