Chapter 6.04
TITLE, DEFINITIONS
AND ENFORCEMENT
Sections:
6.04.010 Title.
This title shall be known and may be cited as the Rock Island “animal control code.” (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.04.020 Purpose – Authority.
This title is adopted pursuant to the general powers of the city of Rock Island to protect and promote health, safety and welfare within the city of Rock Island. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.04.030 Definitions.
As used in this title, except where a different meaning is plainly apparent from the context or different statutory definitions have been adopted, the following definitions apply:
A. “Administrative fees” means the fees and charges established by the animal control authority for apprehension, care and/or detention of an animal.
B. “Alter” means to permanently render an animal incapable of reproduction.
C. “Animal” means any nonhuman mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian.
D. “Animal control authority” means the city or other governmental body to which the responsibility of administering the provisions of this chapter is contractually delegated and which are thereby charged with the duty of enforcing the animal control laws of the city and with the shelter and welfare of animals.
E. “Animal control facility” means a facility used for lodging and disposing of animals detained pursuant to this chapter.
F. “Animal control officer” means any individual employed, contracted, or appointed by the animal control authority for the purpose of aiding in the enforcement of this title or any other law or ordinance relating to the licensing of animals, control of animals, or seizure and impoundment of animals; and includes any state or municipal peace officer, sheriff, or other employee whose duties in whole or in part include assignments which involve the seizure and taking into custody of any animal.
G. “City” means the city of Rock Island.
H. “County” means Douglas County.
I. “Dangerous animal” means any animal that (1) has inflicted severe injury to a human being without provocation on public or private property; (2) has killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner’s property; (3) aggressively bites, attacks or threatens the life or safety of humans or domestic animals after having been previously found to be a potentially dangerous animal and the owner having received notice of such; or (4) regardless of past behavior, is a lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, cougar, lynx, bobcat, and any hybrid thereof or any similar feline animal, bear, hyena, wolf, coyote, wolf-dog or coyote-dog hybrid, any member of the crocodilian family, poisonous reptile, or any life-threatening reptile, or any other animal which is of feral nature.
J. “Department” means the Chelan-Douglas health district.
K. “Detain” or “detention” means to apprehend and/or keep an animal in the custody of the animal control authority.
L. “Dog kennel” means a noncommercial kennel at or adjoining a private residence for three or more dogs over four months of age which are kept by the owner for hunting, training, exhibition, field work, working and/or obedience trials or for enjoyment of the species or breed.
M. “Domestic animal” means an animal which has been domesticated by man so as to live and breed in a tame condition.
N. “Electronic identification” means an encrypted microchip electronic implant approved by the animal control authority and which may be electronically scanned.
O. “Guard dog” or “attack dog” means any dog, other than a police dog as defined in RCW 4.24.410, as now exists or as may be hereafter amended, which has been trained and is used for the purpose of protecting persons or property by exhibiting hostile and aggressive behavior or which will attack on signal or command.
P. “Harbor” means to own, possess, control or shelter an animal for more than 24 hours.
Q. “Holding period” means 72 hours, commencing at 1:00 a.m. following the date of detention of an animal, excluding any day the animal control facility is not open to the public.
R. “Owner” means any person, firm, organization or department having title to or property rights in an animal, or who harbors, possesses, controls, or keeps an animal, or who knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about his or her property.
S. “Potentially dangerous dog” means any dog that (1) inflicts bites on a human or a domestic animal either on public or private property without provocation; or (2) chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack without provocation; or (3) has a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack without provocation, or to cause injury or otherwise threaten the life or safety of humans or domestic animals.
T. “Severe injury” means physical injury that results in broken bones, disfigurement or disfiguring lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery.
U. “Secure enclosure” means confinement indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure, including a dwelling or building, which prevents the entry of children and prevents the confined animal from escaping. Such pen or structure shall have secure sides and a secure top, and shall also provide protection from the elements.
V. “Trespass” means entry upon the property of a person not the owner of the animal without such person’s permission. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).
6.04.040 Enforcement.
The animal control authority shall have the exclusive authority to enforce the provisions of this title. (Ord. 99-029 § 2).