§ 4-1. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Animal shelter means any facility operated by a humane society, municipal agency, or its authorized agents for the purpose of impounding or caring for animals held under the authority of ordinance or state law.

Eartipping means straight-line cutting off the tip of the left ear of a feral cat while the cat is anesthetized.

Enforcement officer means the person designated to enforce this chapter.

Feral cat means a cat that exists in a wild or untamed state, either due to birth or reversion to a wild state from domestication. The usual and consistent temperament ranges from extreme fear to resistance to physical contact with humans.

Feral cat caretaker means any person who provides food, water or shelter to or otherwise cares for a colony of cats in a managed colony.

Feral cat colony means a group of cats that congregates, more or less, together as a unit. Although not every cat in a colony may be feral, any non-feral cats that congregate with a colony are considered part of it.

Feral cat colony sponsor means any organization who assumes responsibility for administering the managed care of feral cats and who is approved by the Carthage Police Chief.

Kennel means any premises wherein any person engages in the business of boarding, breeding, buying, letting for hire, training for a fee, or selling dogs or cats, or any operation in which more than five (5) dogs or more than five (5) cats over the age of four (4) months are harbored at any residential unit.

Owner means any person owning, keeping or harboring one (1) or more animals. An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for three (3) consecutive days or more.

Public nuisance means any animal which:

(1)

Molests passersby or passing vehicles;

(2)

Attacks other animals;

(3)

Trespasses on school grounds;

(4)

Is repeatedly at large; or

(5)

Damages private or public property.

Restraint means to be secured by a lead or leash or to be within the real property limits of the animal's owner.

Veterinary hospital means any establishment maintained and operated by a licensed veterinarian for surgery, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of animals.

(Code 1978, § 235.010; Ord. No. 10-30, § I, 8-10-2010)