South Lake Tahoe Municipal Code Art. I In General

This chapter shall be known and may be referred to in all proceedings as the city of South Lake Tahoe animal control ordinance.

(Ord. 433 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-1)

The words and terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings indicated as follows unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Animal"

means any domesticated animal and all livestock.

"Animal control officer"

means a duly appointed officer of the city or its contractual agent, whose appointment and qualifications conform to the terms of this chapter.

"City"

means the incorporated city of South Lake Tahoe.

"County"

means the county of El Dorado.

"Dangerous animal"

means any animal that has displayed overly territorial, aggressive, protective characteristics along with the ability to cause dangerous attacks or to inflict injuries on humans or other animals and is known by the owner or custodian to possess these characteristics or has been notified in writing by the director of animal control or his designee of the animal's propensities.

"Director of health services"

means the county of El Dorado director of health services or any person duly authorized to act on the behalf of such director.

"Dog"

means all canines.

"Kennel"

means a place where more than four dogs or cats are kept, not including dogs or cats under 120 days old.

"Owner"

means any person who owns an animal, or who harbors or keeps an animal for five or more consecutive days.

"Person"

means any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, business trust, corporation or company.

"Pound"

means all places where impounded animals are to be confined, whether by public agency or by a private person or persons under contract or agreement with a public agency.

"Stray animal"

means any animal, not on private property of the animals owner, or not under restraint by a leash, chain, rope or cord not more than 10 feet in length attached firmly to a collar upon such animal and actually held by some person or made fast to a stationary object.

"Stray dog"

means any dog, not on the private property of the owner of the animal, or not under restraint by a leash, chain, rope, or cord not more that 10 feet in length attached firmly to a collar upon such animal and actually held by some person or made fast to a stationary object.

"Veterinarian"

means a duly licensed doctor of veterinary medicine.

"Vicious animal"

means any animal which shows a propensity to attack, bite, scratch or harass people or other animals without provocation. Any animal which has bitten or otherwise injured two or more times shall be presumed to be vicious, which presumption is rebuttable.

"Wild animal"

means any animal which is normally found in its wild or natural habitat.

"Working dog"

means a dog, while under the control of a human, which is used in the movement of livestock, or in the lawful hunting of taking of game, or in field trials, exhibits or competitions.

(Ord. 433 § 1; Ord. 461 § 1; Ord. 467 § 1; Ord. 515 § 1; Ord. 548 § 1; Ord. 641 § 1; Ord. 789 § 1; Code 1997 § 6-2)