Chapter 6.04
ANIMAL CONTROL

Sections:

6.04.010    Intent.

6.04.020    Cruelty to animals.

6.04.030    Protective custody.

6.04.040    Live traps.

6.04.050    Motor vehicle accidents involving animals.

6.04.060    Contagious diseases.

6.04.070    Equine infectious anemia.

6.04.080    Annoying animals.

6.04.090    Tethering.

6.04.100    Control of animals.

6.04.110    Animal waste.

6.04.120    Animal identification.

6.04.130    Tag and collar.

6.04.140    Rabies control.

6.04.150    Immunization for rabies.

6.04.160    Records to be kept.

6.04.170    False certificates.

6.04.180    Report of bite cases.

6.04.190    Responsibilities of veterinarians.

6.04.200    Animal control officer.

6.04.210    Powers and duties of animal control officers.

6.04.220    Records.

6.04.230    Impoundment and release.

6.04.240    Method of impoundment.

6.04.250    Disposal of diseased or unwanted dogs and other small animals.

6.04.260    Disposal of dead animals.

6.04.270    Penalties and remedies.

6.04.280    Destruction of vicious dogs or other animals – Restitution.

6.04.290    Definitions.

*    Statutory provisions allowing borough nonarea-wide power to regulate licensing, impounding and disposal of animals, see AS 29.35.210(a)(3).

6.04.010 Intent.

A. To provide for safe road conditions on the Chiniak Highway.

B. To increase the homogeneity of areas of increased population density.

C. To decrease the work load of the city of Kodiak animal control efforts which originate in areas outside its corporate limits. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.005].

6.04.020 Cruelty to animals.

A. No person may knowingly wound, injure, torment, abuse, mutilate, torture, or inhumanely kill any animal.

B. No person may intentionally poison any dog, cat, or other domestic animal, or distribute or place poison in a manner or location where the distributor knows or should reasonably know that the poison will be accessible to a domestic animal.

C. No person may abandon any animal by releasing the animal to forage for itself or by confining or restraining the animal for a period in excess of 18 consecutive hours in a place where there is not a custodian who has assumed the responsibility of providing sufficient food and water.

D. The owner or custodian of an animal shall provide food and water sufficient to maintain the animal in a healthy condition, and adequate and proper shelter for the animal, to protect the animal from weather. Shelters maintained for animals kept outside of a residential dwelling shall meet the following standards:

1. Animals shall not be overcrowded;

2. Animals shall be protected from excessive heat or cold or have access to habitat as protection from extreme weather conditions;

3. All structures, pens, coops, or yards where an animal is immediately confined shall have appropriate bedding or sufficient area to prevent the animal from being forced to lie in wet or unsanitary conditions, be devoid of rodents and varmints, and free of extreme objectionable odor. [Ord. 98-29 §4, 1999; Ord. 96-12 §2, 1996; Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.010].

6.04.030 Protective custody.

A. Any animal subjected to cruelty in KIBC 6.04.020 may, if the owner cannot be contacted, be removed and impounded into protective custody by an animal control officer or enforcement officer.

B. Any animal willfully subjected to cruelty as described in KIBC 6.04.020, or in the judgment of a licensed veterinarian that the animal’s life reasonably appears to be endangered, shall be removed and impounded into protective custody by an animal control officer or enforcement officer pending a court appearance.

C. Immediately upon impounding the animal, the animal control officer or enforcement officer shall notify the animal’s keeper. If the animal’s keeper fails to come forward within 120 hours, the animal shall be put up for adoption as in KIBC 6.04.230(D)(6). Custody of the animal may not be regained by the keeper while a prosecution for cruelty is pending. When, in the judgment of a licensed veterinarian, an animal impounded should be destroyed for humane or health reasons, the animal shall be immediately destroyed.

D. A person charged and convicted of cruelty to animals shall be liable for all fees, including veterinary fees, incurred to impound the animal. [Ord. 96-12 §2, 1996. Formerly §6.04.011].

6.04.040 Live traps.

A. Intentional capture of domestic dogs and cats by live traps is prohibited unless the person using the trap notifies the animal control officer.

B. All domestic dogs and cats that are live trapped must be turned over to the animal control officer or impounded. If a trapped animal has injured itself in a severe manner, or if the trapped animal poses an immediate threat to a person, then upon notification to the animal control officer, a person may humanely destroy the live-trapped animal. This subsection is waived in communities not serviced by an animal shelter. [Ord. 96-12 §2, 1996. Formerly §6.04.012].

6.04.050 Motor vehicle accidents involving animals.

Any person who strikes or injures any domestic animal while operating a motorized vehicle shall:

A. Stop the vehicle in a safe manner as close to the scene of the accident as possible and inform the owner or keeper of the animal of the injury; or

B. In the event that the owner or keeper of the injured animal cannot be readily located, shall immediately report the incident to the police authority. [Ord. 96-12 §2, 1996. Formerly §6.04.015].

6.04.060 Contagious diseases.

No person may harbor or keep an animal infected with a contagious or pestilential disease unless the animal is closely confined and under the care of a licensed veterinarian. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.020].

6.04.070 Equine infectious anemia.

No person, including any common carrier, may transport an equine into the boundaries of the borough unless the equine has tested negatively for equine infectious anemia within the previous six months. [Ord. 91-21 §2, 1991. Formerly §6.04.025].

6.04.080 Annoying animals.

No person may keep any canine or feline that makes noise with such frequency and/or volume as to cause actual interference with normal sleeping hours (10 p.m. until 6 a.m.) or reasonable right of peace to a person. [Ord. 96-12 §2, 1996; Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.030].

6.04.090 Tethering.

No person may tie, stake, or fasten any horse, cow, sheep, goat, or other animal within any street, alley, or public place within the borough limits or in a manner which permits the animal access to any portion of any street, alley, or public place. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.040].

6.04.100 Control of animals.

A. The owner or custodian of a fierce, dangerous, or vicious animal shall confine the animal within a building or secure enclosure and shall not take the animal out of such building or enclosure unless the animal is muzzled and otherwise secured to prevent attacks or feigned attacks.

B. A dog or other animal that is unrestrained and not under the immediate control of its owner shall be impounded by a peace officer or animal control officer when found at large on the streets, alleys, or public places within the borough, or on private property in the borough if the officer has the permission of the owner or occupant of the property.

C. The owner of a female dog in heat or during ovulation shall keep and maintain the animal confined in a building or secure enclosure, or in a veterinary hospital or boarding kennel, in such manner that the female dog cannot come in contact with a male dog except for planned breeding purposes.

D. The owner of animals including cattle, horses, sheep, goats, or other large farm animals shall be responsible for their animals. Owners shall pay the cost of removal of dead animals or animals doing property damage.

E. No person may keep or maintain a horse, cow, sheep, goat, pig, or other large farm animal within the borough unless the animal is maintained within a fenced area which is owned or leased by the owner or custodian of the animal and which is not occupied by residential buildings other than the one occupied by the owner or custodian of the animal. Holders of authorized state grazing leases are exempted from this subsection for parcels of land in excess of 20 acres. [Ord. 98-29 §2, 1999; Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.050].

6.04.110 Animal waste.

A person owning or having custody of any animal, shall remove and dispose in a sanitary manner, of any and all feces and other animal litter deposited by the animal on developed or regularly maintained public areas or on any property without the owner’s consent, other than the animal owner’s property. [Ord. 96-12 §2, 1996; Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.060].

6.04.120 Animal identification.

A. Every dog in the borough not otherwise licensed in the city of Kodiak shall be licensed and registered by its owner within the following time period:

1. Within 30 days after the dog attains the age of three months;

2. Within 30 days after acquisition of the dog, regardless of how acquired; or

3. Within 30 days after the owner commences to maintain, keep, or kennel the dog within the limits of the borough.

B. An application for a dog license shall be submitted to the animal control officer on printed forms made available for such purpose which shall be completed by the owner to specify the name and address of the owner, the name, breed, color, sex, and distinguishing marks, if any, of the dog to be licensed, and such other information as the animal control officer determines to be useful in the administration of this chapter. The application shall be accompanied by a license fee, established as provided in this chapter, and a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian showing current immunization for rabies accomplished by a U.S. licensed rabies vaccine.

C. Dog licenses shall be issued for a term of one or three years commencing with the first day of January of each year and terminating as of midnight on the last day of December of each year.

D. Annual license fees shall be established by resolution of the assembly.

E. All cattle over six months of age will be branded. The brand or mark will be registered with the animal control officer. To adopt a brand or mark, a person shall forward to the animal control officer a facsimile of the brand or mark, together with a written application. Upon receipt, the animal control officer shall record the brand or mark unless it is of record or conflicts or closely resembles that of some other person, in which case the animal control officer shall return the facsimile and fee to the applicant. No brand described as being on either side of the animal shall be accepted or recorded. No brand shall be registered if the conditions of KIBC 6.04.100(D) are not met. [Ord. 96-12 §2, 1996; Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.070].

6.04.130 Tag and collar.

A. Upon complying with the provisions of KIBC 6.04.120, the animal control officer shall issue to the owner a colored tag, made of metal or other similar durable material, stamped or embossed with an identification number and the year for which issued. The tag color shall be changed every year.

B. The owner of a dog shall fasten the tag securely to a choke chain, collar, or harness which shall be worn by the dog at all times except when kenneled or in competition.

C. If the license tag is lost or destroyed, the owner may obtain a duplicate tag upon the payment of a fee as established by resolution of the assembly.

D. A dog tag is not transferable from one dog to another, and no person may secure a tag to a chain, collar, or harness worn by a dog other than the one for which the tag was issued.

E. License fees are not refundable. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.080].

6.04.140 Rabies control.

A. Quarantine. Every dog or other animal which bites a person shall be promptly reported to the animal control office, and shall thereupon be securely quarantined at the direction of any animal control officer for a period of 10 days next following the bite. A quarantined animal shall not be released from the quarantine except by authorization of the animal control officer. At the discretion of the animal control officer, such quarantine may be at the shelter designated as the area animal shelter, or, at the owner’s option and expense, in a veterinary hospital or licensed boarding kennel of the owner’s choice. In the case of stray animals or of animals whose ownership is not known, such quarantine shall be at the shelter designated as the animal shelter.

B. Surrender of Animal. The owner or custodian, upon demand made by the animal control office or the borough, shall forthwith surrender any animal which has bitten a human, or which is suspected of having been exposed to rabies, for supervised quarantine. The expense shall be borne by the owner. The animal may be reclaimed by the owner if determined to be free of rabies and not adjudged vicious, upon payment of board fees set forth in KIBC 6.04.190 and any medical or other actual, necessary expenses incurred.

C. Rabid Animals. When any animal under quarantine has been diagnosed as being rabid, or suspected by a licensed veterinarian of being rabid, the owner and the veterinarian shall immediately notify the borough. The animal control officer shall take such action as he deems necessary to determine the presence or absence of rabies. Such action may include, but shall not be limited to, removal and examination of the head.

D. Area-Wide Quarantine. When one or both reports give a positive diagnosis of rabies, the borough may conduct an area-wide quarantine for a period of 30 days. Upon invocation of such quarantine, no animal shall be taken into the streets, or be permitted to be off the premises of its owner or in the streets during such period. During such quarantine no animal may be taken or shipped from the borough without written permission of the animal control officer.

E. Destruction of Bitten Animals. During each period of rabies quarantine as herein mentioned, every animal bitten by an animal adjudged to be rabid shall be destroyed forthwith.

F. Extension of Area-Wide Quarantine. In the event there are additional positive cases of rabies occurring during the period of quarantine, such period of quarantine may be extended for up to an additional six months.

G. Destruction of Rabid Animals. No person shall kill, or cause to be killed, any rabid animal or any animal biting a human, except in defense of life and limb or otherwise as herein provided, nor remove same from the area without permission from the borough.

H. Surrender of Carcass. The carcass of any dead animal exposed to rabies shall be surrendered to the borough.

I. Disposition of Infected Animals. The borough shall direct the disposition of any animal found to be infected with rabies.

J. Failure to Surrender Animal. No person shall fail or refuse to surrender any animal for quarantine or destruction as required herein when demand is made therefor by the animal control office or the borough. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.090].

6.04.150 Immunization for rabies.

No person shall own, keep or harbor a dog or cat over three months of age within the corporate boundaries of the borough unless such dog or cat shall have received an immunization for rabies adequate to meet the requirements of KIBC 6.04.120(B). [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.100].

6.04.160 Records to be kept.

A. All information shall conform with the Rabies Vaccination Certificate developed by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc.

B. Disposition of Records. Upon performing the immunization of an animal, the veterinarian shall complete the prescribed form and give the owner the original copy thereof. The second copy shall be forwarded to the Animal and Rabies Control Center and retained for not less than two years for reference in the event verification of immunization may be desired at a later date. The third copy is for the veterinarian’s records. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.110].

6.04.170 False certificates.

A. It is unlawful for any veterinarian or other person to give, issue or transmit any purported proof, certificate of, or receipt for rabies immunization not actually given to the animal for which proof, certificate of, or receipt for is given.

B. It is unlawful for any person owning or having custody of an animal knowingly to procure, receive, use or attempt to use any purported proof, certificate of, or receipt for rabies immunization not actually given to the animal described in the proof, certificate, or receipt. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.120].

6.04.180 Report of bite cases.

Every physician or other practitioner of medicine shall report to the animal control office the names and addresses of persons treated for bites inflicted by animals, together with such other information as will be helpful in rabies control. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.130].

6.04.190 Responsibilities of veterinarians.

It shall be the duty of every licensed veterinarian to report to the animal control office his diagnosis of any animal observed by him as rabies suspect. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.140].

6.04.200 Animal control officer.

A. Appointment. The manager shall appoint a chief animal control officer who has charge of all animal shelters and of the operation of the animal control office. In the event that the operation of the animal control office is accomplished by contract under subsection C of this section, the chief animal control officer shall be responsible for supervising the activities of the contractor, and he shall delegate to the contractor all authority reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of the contract.

B. Deputy Animal Control Officers. As may be necessary, one or more deputy animal control officers may be appointed to carry out the provisions of this title.

C. Contract for Services. The manager may contract on behalf of the borough for services to carry out the provisions of this title. [Ord. 98-12 §2, 1998; Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.150].

6.04.210 Powers and duties of animal control officers.

A. The chief animal control officer has the power and duty to supervise the carrying out of the provisions of this title, including the operation of one or more animal shelters.

B. Deputy Animal Control Officer. A deputy animal control officer has the power and duty to execute the terms of this title in the field, subject to the direction of the chief animal control officer, the power to issue citations, file complaints, and to serve citations, summons and complaints for violation of this title. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.160].

6.04.220 Records.

A. Responsibility. It shall be the duty of the chief animal control officer or his designated subordinate to keep or cause to be kept accurate and detailed records of the licensing, impoundment and disposition of all animals coming into his custody.

B. Bite Cases. It shall be the duty of the chief animal control officer, or his designated subordinate, to keep, or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed reports of all bite cases reported to him, or to any other animal control officer, and his investigation of the same.

C. Monies Received. It shall be the duty of the chief animal control officer, or his designated subordinate, 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. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.170].

6.04.230 Impoundment and release.

A. A dog or other animal that is unrestrained and not under the immediate control of its owner shall be impounded by a peace officer or animal control officer when found at large on the streets, alleys, or public places within the borough, or on private property in the borough if the officer has the permission of the owner or occupant of the property.

B. A dog or other animal which has bitten or attacked a person may be impounded for a reasonable period for observation or during the pendency of any proceedings brought to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

C. For the purpose of discharging the duties imposed by this chapter and to enforce its provisions, an animal control officer, or other enforcement agent, may enter upon any property, but not into any structure not open to the public, while in pursuit of an animal which, in the judgment of the officer, must be taken up or impounded.

D. Where enforcement of the provisions of this chapter reasonably requires a peace officer, animal control officer or other enforcement agent to inspect premises not open to the public, and where the Constitution of the United States or the state of Alaska requires, an administrative search warrant authorizing an inspection and, where appropriate, the seizure of any animal which may or must be taken up or impounded shall be obtained before the inspection is conducted. The officer or agent may apply to the trial courts of the state of Alaska to obtain an inspection warrant, stating in the application a description of the premises to be inspected, the nature, extent and purpose of the inspection and the fact and circumstances justifying the inspection.

1. If a dog or other animal is determined to be fierce, dangerous, or vicious and cannot be safely captured and impounded, the dog or other animal may be destroyed by a public safety officer.

2. Upon impounding a dog or other animal, the animal control officer or impounding officer shall make reasonable efforts to notify the owner or custodian of the animal, and if the owner or custodian is not known and cannot be reasonably ascertained, shall post a notice at the clerk’s office containing a description of the dog and the date and location of impoundment.

3. Fees for impoundment and daily fees for boarding impounded dogs or other animals shall be established by resolution of the assembly.

4. Upon payment of charges for impounding and boarding, and upon proof of licensing the animal in compliance with this chapter, an impounded animal shall be released to a person producing satisfactory evidence that the person is the owner or custodian of the animal. If an impounded animal is not currently licensed and if a certification of immunization for rabies as required for licensing is not available, the animal may be released if the owner or custodian pays the impound and boarding fees and, in addition, makes a cash deposit with the animal control officer in an amount to be established by the mayor equivalent to double the sum of the impound fee, the average cost for the rabies immunization, and the license fee. The deposit shall be returned to the owner or custodian upon receipt, within one week, of a certificate by a licensed veterinarian attesting to the immunization of the animal and upon acquisition of the necessary license.

5. The impound fee and the daily boarding fee shall be waived for an unspayed or nonneutered animal if the owner or custodian executes a sworn statement that the animal will be spayed upon its release and posts a cash deposit with the animal control officer in an amount equal to the current average charge for spaying the impounded animal. If the owner or custodian of the animal delivers to the animal control officer, within one month following release of the animal from impound, a certificate of a licensed veterinarian stating that the animal has been spayed and setting forth the date of spaying or neutering, the cash deposit shall be released to the owner or custodian.

6. An animal impounded under the provisions of this chapter shall be held in the pound or other suitable facilities for a period not to exceed 72 hours, which must include one full business day, and unless released prior to the expiration of that period as provided in this chapter, shall be destroyed. The animal control officer may, if it is determined that a dog or other animal is valuable, retain the dog or other animal for an additional 48-hour period and release it during that period to any person who will purchase the license for the animal and pay the prescribed impound and boarding fees. [Ord. 96-12 §2, 1996; Ord. 94-21 §2, 1994; Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.180].

6.04.240 Method of impoundment.

A. An animal control officer may capture an animal at large by calling the animal or by any other means necessary.

1. When deemed necessary, the animal control officer may capture a feral animal by use of a baited live capture trap. A property owner or occupant of property frequented by a stray or feral animal at large may also use this method of capture for removal by the animal control officer. [Ord. 94-21 §2, 1994; Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.185].

6.04.250 Disposal of diseased or unwanted dogs and other small animals.

The animal control officer shall dispose of or destroy, in a humane manner, diseased or unwanted dogs or other small animals upon the request of the owner or custodian of the animal at a fee set by resolution of the assembly. [Ord. 94-21 §2, 1994; Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.190].

6.04.260 Disposal of dead animals.

A. The animal control officer shall dispose of any dead animal found within the borough upon the request of a borough resident.

B. The person in possession or control of real property shall immediately dispose of any dead animal found upon the property in the manner provided in this section or by disposal at the borough dump or by other suitable means.

C. The owner or occupant of property may bury on that property any dead animal owned by him or her which died on the premises, if the property owner or occupant first obtains written approval from the sanitarian or animal control officer. The animal carcass shall not be buried within 100 feet of any residence, or water body or water well. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.200].

6.04.270 Penalties and remedies.

A. If a fine amount is set for an offense arising under this chapter, a person charged with that offense can dispose of the charge (by mail or in person) by paying the fine amount, in addition to the surcharge required to be imposed under AS 12.55.039, and checking the “no contest plea” box on the back of the citation. Alternatively, the person may choose to appear in court and contest the citation. If a person is cited for an offense for which a scheduled fine has been established under this chapter and fails to pay a fine or appear in court, the citation shall be considered a summons for a misdemeanor. If found guilty, the maximum sentence that may be imposed is the fine amount, in addition to the surcharge required to be imposed under AS 12.55.039. A person charged with an offense for a fine amount that has been set (whether it is an infraction or a misdemeanor) does not have a right to a jury or to a court-appointed lawyer. If no fine is set for an offense, the defendant must appear in court for arraignment.

B. Notwithstanding the availability of any other remedy, the borough or any aggrieved person may bring a civil action to enjoin any violation of this chapter. An action for injunction under this section may be brought notwithstanding the availability of any other remedy. Upon application for injunctive relief and the finding of an existing or threatened violation, the superior court shall enjoin the violation.

C. Each act or condition violating this chapter, and each day during which the act or condition exists when the owner or keeper is known to be aware of the condition, shall be a separate and distinct violation except in circumstances where the violation is acknowledged and actively being corrected.

D. The penalties provided for violation of this chapter are in addition to and not in lieu of any other penalty provided for in state law or any civil remedy available to the borough. [Ord. 98-26 §3, 1998; Ord. 96-12 §2, 1996; Ord. 96-11 §2, 1996; Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.210].

6.04.280 Destruction of vicious dogs or other animals – Restitution.

A. If, by a preponderance of the evidence, a court of competent jurisdiction finds that, while running at large or while inadequately restrained in violation of KIBC 6.04.100(A), a dog or other animal has, without provocation, bitten or attacked a person, the court may order the dog or other animal destroyed.

B. In addition to any fine which may have been imposed pursuant to KIBC 6.04.270(A), a court of competent jurisdiction may require the owner or custodian of any dog or other animal which, while running at large or while inadequately restrained in violation of KIBC 6.04.100(A), has damaged the person or property of another to make restitution, in whole or in part, for said damage.

C. Any actions taken or orders rendered under this section shall be regarded as measures necessary to the preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of the public and not as punishment. [Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.220].

6.04.290 Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

“Animal” means any of the kingdom Animalia which are domesticated or kept.

“Animal control office” means the department in charge of the enforcement of the animal control provisions of this code. In the event that such activities are accomplished by contract under KIBC 6.04.200, “animal control office” means the office maintained by the contractor for such purposes.

“At large” means off the premises of the owner or responsible person and not under the immediate control of the owner or responsible person.

“Custodian” means the person who has accepted or assumed all or a portion of the responsibility for an animal’s care, control, and feeding, at the request of the owner, or with the owner’s implied authorization.

“Domesticated” means to adapt an animal to life in intimate association with and to the advantage of humans.

“Feral” means an animal that is wild, untamed, abandoned, or homeless.

“Fierce, dangerous, or vicious dog or other animal” means a dog or other animal which, when unprovoked, has ever bitten or attacked a person or that bites or attacks other animals, or in a vicious and terrorizing manner attacks or approaches in an apparent attitude of attack a person or other animal.

“Herd” means to graze or move a group of animals while keeping close watch and exercising control.

“Immediate control” means an animal located on the owner’s property or other private property with the property owner’s permission; or voice control of an otherwise unrestrained animal.

“Keep,” or “kept” means to allow to graze, rove, or roam on property as well as housed or kept in a shelter.

“Licensed veterinarian” means a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the United States, its territories and possessions, and state of Alaska certified public health aides.

“Owner” means a person who has purchased the animal, accepted it as a gift, or who asserts a right to the possession and control of the animal. [Ord. 98-29 §3, 1999; Ord. 96-12 §2, 1996; Ord. 94-21 §2, 1994; Ord. 86-16-O §2, 1986. Formerly §6.04.230].