8.18.020 Definitions.

In addition to the definitions set forth in Section 8.01.020, as used in this title:

(1)    “Dangerous dog” means any dog that, when unprovoked:

(a)    Inflicts severe injury on a human being without provocation on public or private property; or

(b)    Kills a domestic animal or livestock, except nondomestic poultry or rabbit, without provocation while off the owner’s property; or

(c)    Has been previously found to be potentially dangerous and the owner having received notice of such and the dog again aggressively bites, attacks or endangers the safety of humans or domestic animals or livestock.

(2)    “Potentially dangerous dog” means any dog that, when unprovoked:

(a)    Inflicts bites on a human, domestic animal or livestock either on public or private property; or

(b)    Chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, or any dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, or to cause injury or otherwise to threaten the safety of humans or domestic animals.

(3)    “Proper enclosure of a dangerous dog” means, while on the owner’s property, a dangerous dog shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure, suitable to prevent the entry of young children and designed to prevent the animal from escaping. Such pen or structure shall have secure sides and a secure top, and shall also provide protection from the elements for the dog.

(4)    “Provocation” includes, but is not limited to situations where threat, injury, or damage is sustained by a person who, at the time, was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises occupied by the owner of the dog, or was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog or has, in the past, been observed or reported to have tormented, abused, or assaulted the dog or was committing or attempting to commit a crime.

(5)    “Severe injury” means any physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery. (Sec. 13 of Ord. 1987-11-37; amended by Sec. 20 of Ord. 1993-08-13A; amended by Sec. 30 of Ord. 2016-11-13)