8.05.010 Definitions.
In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Abandon” means to leave an animal for a period in excess of 24 continuous hours without adequate provision for its physical needs.
“Animal control officer” means the employee(s) of any entity to whom the function of animal control and protection has been assigned by the assembly and whose primary function is animal control and protection.
“Animal shelter” means any premises designated by action of the city and borough for the purpose of impounding and caring for animals pursuant to this chapter.
“At large” means that the animal is off the premises of the keeper or custodian and not under the immediate control of the keeper or custodian.
“Commercial kennel owner” means any person, group of persons, or corporation engaged in the commercial buying, selling, keeping or boarding of dogs or cats.
“Competent voice control” means when all the following are met: dog must be within owner’s sight and under verbal control at all times, regardless of distractions (such as wildlife, other dogs, food, or other park or trail users). If dog jumps on or acts aggressively toward people or other dogs, chases wildlife, or will not consistently come immediately upon command, dog must be leashed.
“Dangerous dog” means a dog as defined in SGC 8.05.081(B).
“Keeper” or “custodian” means any person, group of persons, partnership, firm, trust or corporation owning, having an interest in, or having control, custody or possession of any dog or cat. “Keeper” or “custodian” does not include a person who voluntarily undertakes the temporary care of an animal that is otherwise abandoned.
“Neglected” means an animal that has not received that degree of care which a person of ordinary prudence would give under the same circumstances. The care must include sufficient food, clean water, adequate shelter, protection from the weather, health care and clean living conditions in conformance with accepted veterinary practice.
“Objectionable dog” means a dog as defined in SGC 8.05.080.
“Physical injury” means significant physical pain or an impairment of physical condition.
“Potentially dangerous dog” means a dog as defined in SGC 8.05.081(A).
“Provocation” means the teasing, tormenting, abusing or assault of a dog to incite the dog to bite or attack.
“Restraint” means:
1. Actual physical control, such as on a leash held by a person capable of physically controlling the animal, on a chain, within fenced premises, in a building, or in a cage;
2. On the premises of the keeper or custodian or on other property with the prior permission of the owner of the property; or
3. Properly restrained in a vehicle. “Properly restrained” means either by a tie-down in a pickup truck which is sufficiently short to protect the animal from attempting to jump out and strangling, and to prevent the animal from lunging at passersby.
“Running at large” means an animal who is not under competent voice control or who is unrestrained in violation of SGC 8.05.031 and 8.05.032.
“Service dog” means:
1. A dog specifically trained and certified to assist in search and rescue operations and which is utilized in search and rescue operations;
2. A dog specifically trained and certified to assist persons with disabilities and which is utilized to assist a person with disabilities; or
3. A dog specifically trained and certified to assist in law enforcement activities and which is utilized to assist in law enforcement activities, also referred to in this title as a “police dog.”
“Sitka road system” means those roads within the city and borough which are maintained by the municipality and/or the state of Alaska for purposes of general public use.
“Spayed female” and “neutered male” mean any animal which has been surgically or pharmacologically sterilized.
“Stray” means any domestic animal which is at large and whose owner is unknown. (Ord. 13-19 § 4, 2013; Ord. 02-1656 § 4(A), 2002; Ord. 95-1302 § 4(B), 1995; Ord. 87-784 § 4, 1987; Ord. 86-729 § 4(A), 1986; B.C.S. § 9.05.010; S.G.C. § 8.04.010.)