Chapter 6.04
DEFINITIONS – ENFORCEMENT
Sections:
6.04.010 Definitions.
6.04.020 Records – Animal control officer duty.
6.04.030 Enforcement – Interference prohibited.
6.04.010 Definitions.
The following terms used in this title have the following meanings:
“Accidental bite or exposure” means a bite which is received under circumstances which can be deemed accidental or happening from chance rather than intent.
“Adoption” means the process by which a person over the age of majority selects and pays the fees necessary to bring into one’s own home an animal from the borough animal shelter.
“Animal” means all domestic or domesticated members of the kingdom animalia, classes mammalia, aves, reptilia and amphibia.
“Animal bite” is a bite from an animal that is known to be a possible vector of rabies. To be classed a bite, a bite must break the skin.
“Animal bite incident” means an animal bite or other incident as defined under this section.
“Animal control” means a division of the department of emergency operations.
“Animal control officer” means the superintendent of animal control and his/her subordinates in the collective capacity as administrators of this title.
“Animal shelter” means any premises designated by action of the animal control officer for the purpose of impounding and caring for all animals impounded pursuant to this title or state statute.
“At large” means any animal not under restraint.
“Cat” means any domestic or domesticated member of the family felidae.
“Dog” means any domestic or domesticated member of the family canidae.
“Neutered male” means any male animal that has been castrated.
“Notice of removal” means a document completed by an animal control officer who removes an animal from private property upon which there exists a residence. The notice shall provide the following information:
1. Date and time of removal;
2. Name of officer removing the animal;
3. Description of animal removed;
4. Reason for removal;
5. Contact name, phone number and location where the animal will be located for further disposition.
“Owner” means any person, partnership, or corporation owning, keeping, or harboring one or more animals. An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for three days or more.
“Planned breeding” means any purposeful breeding intended for the perpetuation of a specific type of animal.
“Protective custody” means impoundment of an animal for its own protection.
“Public nuisance” means any animal which molests passersby or passing vehicles, attacks other animals, trespasses on school grounds or other public or private property, is repeatedly at large, damages public or private property, or that barks, whines, howls or makes other loud noises excessively or continuously and is not exempted by AS 09.45.
“Recognized animal activity” means events, trials or training generally accepted by animal organizations.
“Restraint,” for the purposes of this title, means:
1. Physical confinement, as by leash, chain, cable, fence or building; or
2. Under competent voice control when an animal is engaged in a recognized animal activity or form of training requiring that it not be physically confined; or
3. Under competent voice control of a person who is physically present with an animal when that animal is on the property of the owner.
“Secure enclosure” means an escape-proof animal enclosure.
“Spayed female” means any female animal which has an ovariectomy or ovary hysterectomy performed.
“Stray” means an animal which is at large, or held by a citizen for pick-up or turned in to the animal control officer. (Ord. 2004-38 § 4, 2004; Ord. 2002-03 § 2, 2002; Ord. 2000-50 § 2, 2000; Ord. 95-003 § 2, 1995; Ord. 93-021 § 5, 1993; Ord. 89-058 § 2, 1989; Ord. 88-058 § 3, 1988; Ord. 82-104 § 2, 1983; Ord. 80-65 § 2, 1980; Ord. 78-15, 1978)
6.04.020 Records – Animal control officer duty.
A. The superintendent of animal control or such other person as the mayor shall designate shall perform the duties of the animal control officer to keep or cause to be kept accurate and detailed records of the impoundment and disposition of all animals coming into his custody.
B. It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to keep or cause to be kept accurate and detailed reports of all animal bites reported to him/her and his/her investigation of the same. It shall be the duty of the animal control officer and his/her designee to make an initial determination of animal bite cases.
C. It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to keep or cause to be kept accurate and detailed records of the monies received, which records shall be open to inspection at reasonable times by persons acting for the state or the borough and having responsibility for the inspection of such records.
D. The animal control officer will keep a record of all animals on which the tranquilizer gun is used. Any tranquilizer drug and dosage used shall be approved by the local veterinary medical association.
E. It shall be the duty of the animal control officer to keep or cause to be kept accurate and detailed records of all identification (i.e., tags, tattoos on legs or ears) and rabies certificates issued by animal control in accordance with this title.
F. The animal control officer and his/her designee shall have the authority to file complaints and serve summonses and complaints for violations of this title. (Ord. 88-058 § 4, 1988; Ord. 86-017 § 41, 1986; Ord. 78-15, 1978)
6.04.030 Enforcement – Interference prohibited.
No person shall intentionally, recklessly or with criminal negligence interfere with, molest or hinder any police officer or animal control officer in the performance of any duty under this title, or seek to release any animal in the custody of such officer or from the animal shelter. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. (Ord. 2000-50 § 3, 2000; Ord. 78-15, 1978)