Chapter 7.01
DEFINITIONS
Sections:
7.01.010 Definitions.
In this title, unless the context requires otherwise, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set out in this section:
A. “Abandon” means to leave an animal for a period in excess of 24 continuous hours without adequate provision for its physical needs.
B. “Acceptable collar” means any commercial or homemade collar or harness capable of allowing a tag and/or leash to be affixed which does not cause injury to the animal.
C. “Altered animal” means an animal that has been sterilized.
D. “Animal” means all nonhuman members of the kingdom Animalia.
E. “Animal enforcement agent” means any peace officer, other law enforcement personnel, or an animal control officer, or other person specifically authorized by the borough manager to enforce the provisions of this title.
F. “Animal exposed to rabies” means an animal that has been bitten by an animal that either has rabies or has been in proximity or contact with an animal that has rabies or has been exposed to an animal that has rabies.
G. “Animal shelter” means any premises designated by the manager or the manager’s designee for the purpose of impounding and caring for animals pursuant to this title.
H. “At large” means any animal that is not under restraint, under voice control, or on private property with owner consent.
I. “Boarding” means keeping an animal overnight in a commercial animal establishment used for such a purpose.
J. “Commercial animal establishment” means:
1. Any property wherein or whereon any person engages in the business of regularly selling, training, boarding, or breeding animals for compensation;
2. Any property used to house or board any horse, mule, donkey, or other livestock for compensation;
3. For animals other than livestock, fish or fowl, any property used to house more than 20 adult animals for commercial purposes; or
4. Any property used to house more than 10 adult fowl for commercial purposes.
5. Any person who possesses animals for personal, noncommercial purposes as defined in subsection (T) of this section would be considered to have a “hobby animal establishment” not a “commercial animal establishment.”
K. “Competent voice control” means when all the following are met:
1. The person exhibiting the voice control is present with the animal and monitors all of its activities;
2. The person exhibiting the voice control is capable of directing all of the animal’s movements and activities by voice commands; and
3. The animal under voice control follows all of the vocal commands quickly and accurately.
L. “Confined” means shut within an enclosure. This includes, but is not limited to, a fenced-in area of the real property of the owner, an animal shelter (i.e., pen, doghouse, leash, or kennel), and any building on the owner’s property, including house or garage.
M. “Dangerous dog” means a dog as defined in WMC 7.08.110.
N. “Dog” means a member of the genus and species Canis familiaris, commonly known as a domestic dog, but does not include other members of the family Canidae such as a fox, coyote, wolf or other game species the taking of which is regulated by the state of Alaska. For the purposes of this title, “dog” includes canid hybrids unless otherwise specified.
O. “Domestic animal” means any animal kept for pleasure or for utility that has been adapted to life in association with and to the use by human beings, and shall not include animals which normally can be found in the wild.
P. “Enclosure” means a structure suitable to confine an animal. The structure shall be securely constructed and shall have secure sides, and shall be kept secured at all times. The design and construction shall be adequate to prevent the animal from escaping.
Q. “Euthanasia” means the act of inducing the humane death of an animal.
R. “Facility” means a building or property other than a private residence in which an animal is maintained.
S. “Humane manner” means care of an animal to include, but not be limited to, adequate heat, ventilation, and sanitary shelter, wholesome food and water, consistent with the normal requirements and feeding habits of the animal’s size, species, and breed.
T. “Hobby animal establishment” means any property on which a person possesses, houses, or boards any horse, mule, donkey, or other livestock; or more than 20 adult animals other than livestock, fish, or fowl; or more than 10 adult fowl; when such animals are used for personal, noncommercial purposes.
U. “Improperly confined” means the confinement of an animal under conditions that endanger the animal’s health or safety or the safety of the public.
V. “Keeper” means any person, group of persons, partnership, firm, trust or corporation, owning, having an interest in, or having control, custody, or possession of any animal and includes any adult member of a family or group of persons sharing a residential unit where another member of the family or group has an interest in, or has control, custody or possession of an animal which is kept in or on the premises of the shared residential unit. “Keeper” does not include a person who voluntarily undertakes the temporary care of an animal that is otherwise abandoned or a person who voluntarily undertakes the temporary care of an animal that is at large in violation of WMC 7.08.030.
W. “Leash” means a chain, leash or rope, held in such manner as to maintain control and to prevent the attached animal from attacking any person, animal, or entering a designated no-pet area.
X. “Neglected” means an animal that has not received that degree of care that a reasonable person would give under the same circumstances. The care must include sufficient food and clean water, adequate shelter and protection from the weather, health care, and clean living conditions.
Y. “Nuisance animal” means any animal which is doing any of the acts set forth in WMC 7.08.030.
Z. “Objectionable animal” means any animal which is doing any of the acts set forth in WMC 7.08.035.
AA. “Pet shop” means a commercial establishment that offers to sell live animals with the intent that they be kept as pets.
BB. “Physical injury” means physical pain or an impairment of physical condition.
CC. “Potentially dangerous dog” means a dog as defined in WMC 7.08.110. [Ord. 887 § 2, 2014.]