§ 4-1. Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words or terms shall have the meaning indicated in this section:

Animals shall include dogs, cats, monkeys, raccoons, opossums, descented skunks, rabbits, chinchillas, hamsters, and similar animals of all descriptions regardless of sex, other than livestock.

Animal control officer shall mean the person designated by the city administrator to represent and act for the City of Henrietta, Texas in the impoundment of animals, controlling of animals running at large and as otherwise provided and required in this chapter.

Fowl shall include chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, guineas, geese, ducks, and/or other feathered animals regardless of age, sex or breed.

Livestock shall include horses, shetland ponies, mules, and donkeys, sheep, goats, cows, and similar animals regardless of age, sex and breed.

Owner shall mean any person or persons owning, possessing, harboring, keeping or sheltering any animal.

Unprovoked attack means an attack on a person by an animal or dog that was not hit, kicked, struck, pinched, squeezed, bitten, or pulled by the person.

Vicious animal shall mean:

(1)

Any animal which has bitten or has previously attacked and/or bitten any one (1) person or more than one (1) person.

(2)

Any animal which has behaved in such a manner that the person who owns, possesses or harbors it, knows or should reasonably know, that the animal is possessed of tendencies to attack or bite persons.

(3)

Any animal that has the propensity to bite human beings without provocation.

(4)

An animal certified by a doctor of veterinary medicine, after observation thereof, as posing a danger to human life, animal life, or property upon the basis of a reasonable medical probability.

(5)

Animal that commits an unprovoked attack on a person on public or private property.

(6)

Any animal that attacks or threatens to attack a person.

(7)

Any animal that has been so declared after a hearing before any judge of any court of competent jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 7721-1, § 13, 9-1-77; Ord. No. 8308, § 5, 8-8-83; Ord. No. 9201, 2-10-92)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-3.