<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 6-1. - Definitions.</div>
<div class="chunk-content">
            <p class="p0">
               The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the
               meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates
               a different meaning:
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Abandon</span> means to leave an animal intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently at
               a location for more than 48 consecutive hours without providing for the animal's continued
               care.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Abuse/cruelty</span> means those acts and omissions set forth in<a href="" data-chunk-id="PTIICOOR_CH6AN_ARTIINGE_S6-4ANABCR" class="section-link" data-product-id="14529"> section 6-4</a> of this chapter.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Adequate feed</span> means access to and the provision of food which is sufficient quantity and nutritive
               value to maintain each animal in good health; is accessible to each animal; is prepared
               so as to permit ease of consumption for the age, species, condition, size and type
               of each animal; is provided in a clean and sanitary manner; is placed so as to minimize
               contamination by excrement and pests; and is provided at suitable intervals for the
               species, age and condition of the animal, but at least once daily, except as prescribed
               by a veterinarian or as dictated by naturally occurring states of hibernation or fasting
               normal for the species.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Adequate shelter</span> means provision of and access to shelter that is suitable for the species, age, condition,
               size, and type of each animal; provides adequate space for each animal; is safe and
               protects each animal from injury, rain, sleet, snow, hail, direct sunlight, the adverse
               effects of heat or cold, physical suffering, and impairment of health; have enough
               shade to protect itself from any direct sunlight that is likely to cause overheating
               or discomfort; is properly lighted; is properly cleaned; enables each animal to be
               clean and dry, except when detrimental to the species; and, for dogs and cats, provides
               a solid surface, resting platform, pad, floor mat, or similar device that is large
               enough for the animal to lie on in a normal manner and can be maintained in a sanitary
               manner. Under this chapter, shelters whose wire, grid, or slat floors (i) permit the
               animals' feet to pass through the openings, (ii) sag under the animals' weight, or
               (iii) otherwise do not protect the animals' feet or toes from injury are not adequate
               shelter.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               For the purpose of this definition, the following do not constitute adequate shelter:
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (1)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Underneath stoops, decks, and outside steps.
                  
               </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (2)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Inside or underneath vehicles.
                  
               </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (3)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Metal barrels.
                  
               </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (4)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Cardboard boxes.
                  
               </p>
               		
               
            
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Adequate space</span> means sufficient space to allow each animal to (i) easily stand, sit, lie, turnabout,
               and make all other normal body movements in a comfortable, normal position for the
               animal and (ii) interact safely with other animals in the enclosure. When an animal
               is tethered, adequate space means a tether that permits the above actions and is appropriate
               to the age and size of the animal; is attached to the animal by a properly applied
               collar, halter, or harness configured so as to protect the animal from injury and
               prevent the animal or tether from becoming entangled with other objects or animals,
               or from extending over an object or edge that could result in the strangulation or
               injury of the animal; and is at least three times the length of the animal, as measured
               from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail, except when the animal is being
               walked on a leash or is attached by a tether to a lead line. When freedom of movement
               would endanger the animal, temporarily and appropriately restricting movement of the
               animal according to professionally accepted standards for the species is considered
               provision of adequate space.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Adequate water</span> means provisions of and access to clean, fresh, potable water of a drinkable temperature
               which is provided in a suitable manner, in sufficient volume, and at suitable intervals
               appropriate for the weather and temperature, to maintain normal hydration for the
               age, species, condition, size and type of each animal, except as prescribed by a veterinarian
               or as dictated by naturally occurring states of hibernation or fasting normal for
               the species; and is provided in clean, durable receptacles which are accessible to
               each animal and are placed so as to minimize contamination of the water by excrement
               and pests or an alternative source of hydration consistent with generally accepted
               husbandry practices.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Animal</span> means any live, vertebrate creature specifically including, but not limited to, dogs,
               cats, horses, farm animals, birds, fish, livestock, and reptiles.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Animal services department</span> means the division of Burke County that has the responsibility to enforce all state
               laws and ordinances of the county pertaining to animals. The animal services department
               shall have all the power, authority, and immunity granted under this chapter and by
               the general laws of the state to enforce the provisions of this chapter, and the laws
               of the state as they relate to the care, treatment, control or impounding of animals.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Animal services director</span> means that person designated by the Burke County Board of Commissioners and the Burke
               County Manager and where appropriate, his or her designee, charged with the responsibility,
               discretion and authority to interpret, implement and enforce the animal services programs
               in Burke County. The animal services director is the person charged with the supervision,
               administration, and operation of the Burke County Animal Services Center; and who
               has final determination on the care, treatment, control, impounding, and disposition
               of animals.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Animal services enforcement officer</span> means an individual employed with the county who is appropriately trained and authorized
               to investigate, on public or private property, civil infractions relating to animal
               enforcement or cruelty and to issue citations as outlined in this chapter.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Animal shelter,</span> operated on a managed intake basis and hereinafter called the <span class="ital">animal services center,</span> means the facility which is used to house or contain seized, stray, homeless, quarantined,
               abandoned or unwanted animals which is owned and operated by the county for the purpose
               of caring for them, placing through adoption or euthanizing if necessary.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Approved breeder</span> means any individual who has applied for and secured a breeder's permit from the
               Burke County Animal Services Department.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Approved rescue group</span> means a nonprofit organization that cares for animals and which has been favorably
               assessed by the animal services director through the application of written standards.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">At large</span> means:
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (1)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  An animal found off the property of its owner and not under restraint; or
                  
               </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (2)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Any animal that has been the subject of a previous at-large complaint when found unrestrained
                  whether on or off the property of its owner; or
                  
               </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (3)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Any animal previously determined to be dangerous that is not confined to a secure
                  enclosure while on the property of its owner.
                  
               </p>
               		
               
            
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Attack</span> means an approach to a person by an unrestrained animal in a vicious, terrorizing,
               or threatening manner, without the animal having been teased, molested, provoked,
               beaten, tortured, or otherwise harmed.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Attack training facility</span> means any person, group of persons, partnership or corporation engaged in boarding,
               breeding, selling, or training dogs or other animals in the mode of attack.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Backyard breeder</span> means an individual whose indiscriminate breeding practices are considered substandard,
               with little or misguided efforts toward ethical, selective breeding. This includes:
               (1) Individuals who allow for the home breeding of more than one female dog at a time;
               (2) Individuals with less than nine unaltered female dogs that are at least 12 months
               of age, that do not adhere to good breeding and sale practices or do not provide dogs
               and/or puppies adequate care as defined in this chapter; (3) Individuals who sell
               un-weaned (under eight weeks old) and/or diseased puppies. This definition does not
               apply to humane societies, rescue groups, foster homes, or shelters. Backyard breeders
               are not permitted in Burke County.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Bite</span> means the act of an animal seizing flesh with its teeth or jaws so as to tear, pierce
               or injure the flesh as to where blood can be seen.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Boarding kennel</span> means: any facility or establishment which regularly offers to the public the service
               of boarding animals for a fee. Such a facility or establishment may, in addition to
               providing shelter, food and water, offer grooming or other services for animals.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Cat</span> means any domesticated mammal of the family Felidae.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Cat colony</span> means two or more of free-roaming (homeless, stray, feral, wild or untamed) cats,
               feeding and living in close proximity not under the direct control of a property owner,
               and is maintained by a colony caregiver.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Certified rabies vaccinator (CRV)</span> means an individual appointed by the Burke County Health Director that has received
               at least four hours of training from the state public health veterinarian and received
               a written certification from the state public health veterinarian indicating they
               are able to administer vaccines.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Community cat</span> means any free roaming cat that may be cared for by one or more residents of the
               immediate area who is/are known or unknown; a community cat may or may not be feral.
               Community cats may be distinguished from other cats by being sterilized, ear tipped
               and vaccinated for rabies. A community cat may also be defined as a cat "found" outside
               that is brought to the animal services center and not yet sterilized, ear tipped or
               vaccinated for rabies.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Community cat program (TNR)</span> means a program designed to eliminate the impoundment of a community cat who is found
               ear tipped, in a cat colony registered with the animal services department. Caregivers
               of these cats provide proof of a valid rabies vaccination and sterilization so the
               cat can be released at the location where it was found or other live outcome placement.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Competent person</span> means a person of suitable age and discretion to keep an animal under sufficient
               restraint and control in order to prevent harm to the animal, to persons, to other
               animals, including, but not limited to, domesticated livestock, or to property.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Confinement</span> means impoundment within the county's animal services center or other appropriate
               facility.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Constricting reptile</span> means any reptile that kills its prey by coiling tightly around it, causing suffocation.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Consultation</span> means to discuss with and reach a decision.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">County</span> means Burke County.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Dangerous dog.</span> See<a href="" data-chunk-id="PTIICOOR_CH6AN_ARTIINGE_S6-7DADOPODADO" class="section-link" data-product-id="14529"> section 6-7</a>.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Dealer</span> or <span class="ital">broker</span> means any person who sells/resells, exchanges, or donates, or offers to sell, exchange,
               or donate animals to another dealer, pet shop, or research facility. However, that
               an individual who breeds and raises on his own premises no more than the offspring
               of five canine or feline females per year, unless bred and raised specifically for
               research purposes shall not be considered to be a dealer for the purposes of this
               article. An individual with a valid license through the USDA is exempt from this definition.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Dog</span> means any domesticated mammal of the family Canid.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Domestic animal</span> means any of various animals such as dogs, cats, equines, sheep, cattle, goats, hogs,
               poultry, etc., domesticated by man to live and breed in a tame condition.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Domesticated livestock</span> means livestock raised to produce meat, milk, eggs, fiber, or used for draft or equestrian
               purposes, including, but not limited to, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, equines, rabbits,
               and poultry.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Equine</span> means any horse, pony, mule, donkey, or hinny.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Exposed to rabies</span> means any person or animal that has bitten, been bitten by, or otherwise has come
               into contact with the bodily fluids of any animal known or suspected to have been
               infected with rabies.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Exotic animal</span> means any animal, other than a domestic animal, domesticated livestock and wild animals,
               not native to North Carolina.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Feral cat</span> means a cat (i) that is born in the wild or is the offspring of an owned or feral
               cat and is not socialized, (ii) is a formerly owned cat that has been abandoned and
               is no longer socialized.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Ferret</span> means any domesticated mammal belonging to the family Mustelidae.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Flood prone area</span> means an area in which two or more inches of standing water are likely to accumulate
               during a period of normal rainfall.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Foster</span> means an individual or family that voluntarily takes an animal from the animal services
               center, or a 501(c)(3) rescue, and provides temporary shelter and care for the animal
               in a home environment until the animal can be adopted by a new individual or family.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Habitual violator</span> means an animal, owner or any other person that has been cited for violating this
               chapter on three or more occasions in the past three years and the most recent violation
               was within the past 12 months.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Harbor.</span> An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered by the same person
               or household for 24 consecutive hours or more.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Health department</span> means the Burke County Health Department.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Health director</span> means the director of the Burke County Health Department.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Hobby breeder</span> is any person with knowledge of their specific breed(s) (i.e. health risks, canine
               obstetrics, genetics and will make informed decisions before considering a mating).
               A hobby breeder is one who breeds not more than once within a 12-month period while
               permitting consumers access to directly see the condition in which the dogs or cats
               are bred and raised, or can discuss with the breeder the conditions of the dogs or
               cats. A hobby breeder must obtain a breeder's permit from the Burke County Animal
               Services Department.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Hunting dog</span> means a canine used for the purpose of assisting hunters in tracking and retrieving
               game.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Imminent hazard</span> means a situation causing immediate threat of death to humans or animals, an immediate
               threat of serious bodily or injury or an immediate threat of serious adverse health
               effects to humans or animals if no immediate action is taken.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Impoundment</span> means possession or seizure of an animal by a county animal services enforcement
               officer for placement in the county's animal service center or other appropriate facility.
               The animal is considered impounded once it is on an animal enforcement vehicle.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">In estrus</span> means the stage of the reproductive cycle in which a female animal can become pregnant.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Inherently dangerous exotic</span> means any mammal or reptile defined as such in<a href="" data-chunk-id="PTIICOOR_CH6AN_ARTIINGE_S6-6EXMARE" class="section-link" data-product-id="14529"> section 6-6</a> of this chapter, which due to their inherent nature, may be considered dangerous
               to humans.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Keeper</span> means any person or groups of individuals having custody of an animal, or who keeps
               or harbors an animal, feeds, or shelters, or who permits an animal to remain on or
               about any premises occupied or controlled by such a person. A keeper shall be legally
               responsible for ensuring compliance with all sections of this article for any such
               animal(s) kept on or about their premises.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Kennel</span> means an establishment or premises wherein any person engages in a business or keeps
               or maintains ten or more domesticated animals over four months of age at any one time;
               or an establishment wherein any person engages in the business or practice of keeping
               or selling more than one litter of domesticated animals at any one time. Domesticated
               animals, for the purpose of this chapter, shall be defined as dogs, cats, and other
               generally accepted household pets. Litter, for the purpose of this chapter, shall
               be defined as the offspring resulting from the breeding of two domesticated animals.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Neglect</span> means (a) deprived of adequate food, water, shelter, ventilation, light, space, exercise,
               care or veterinary treatment, (b) kept in conditions that are unsanitary, (c) not
               protected from excessive heat or cold, (d) allowing an animal that is injured, sick,
               in pain or suffering without providing veterinary care, (e) allowing parasite infestation,
               (f) allowing a collar to grow into the skin of the animal.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Neutered</span> means any male animal that has been operated upon to prevent reproduction.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Nighttime</span> means the time from sunset until sunrise.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Nuisance</span> means any act of an animal causing a substantial and unreasonable interference with
               another's land or his use or enjoyment of that land as outlined in section 6-14.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Other local government body (bodies)</span> means the City of Morganton, Town of Valdese, Town of Drexel, Town of Glen Alpine,
               Town of Hildebran, Town of Long View, Town of Rhodhiss, Town of Connelly Springs,
               Town of Rutherford College, and City of Hickory.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Owner</span> means any person, group of persons, firm, partnership, or corporation owning, keeping,
               having custody or control over, sheltering, feeding, harboring and allowing a domesticated
               animal to remain on or about their property for more than 72 consecutive hours. In
               the event the owner of an animal is a minor, for the purposes of this chapter, the
               parent or guardian of such minor shall be considered the owner of that animal.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Owner's property</span> means that area described in a deed of conveyance or the area described in a lease.
               In a situation involving townhouses or condominiums, animal services enforcement will
               treat the common areas as being owned by the homeowner's association. In a situation
               involving leased apartments, animal control will treat common areas as being owned
               by the lessor or property owner. A motor vehicle is not a part of the owner's property
               unless it is physically located on the area described in a deed of conveyance or the
               area described in a lease. A motor vehicle that is physically located in or on the
               common areas of townhouses, condominiums, or leased apartments, or other public areas
               shall be treated as being off the owner's property.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Pet</span> means a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Pet shop</span> means any commercial or residential premises, to include any structure incidental
               thereto and regardless of location, in which animals are kept and offered for retail
               sale as pets including, but not limited to, pet shops, pet stores and pet departments
               incidental to department stores, but excludes the occasional selling of animals, and
               those individuals that have current, valid breeder permits.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Physical harm</span> means any injury which is serious enough to require immediate medical attention.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Potentially dangerous dog.</span> See<a href="" data-chunk-id="PTIICOOR_CH6AN_ARTIINGE_S6-7DADOPODADO" class="section-link" data-product-id="14529"> section 6-7</a>(b)(2).
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Poultry</span> means and includes all types and breeds of chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants,
               guineas, and all other kinds of domestic fowl, and includes both sexes and all ages
               of the same.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Prior complaint</span> means any prior oral or written complaint to animal services enforcement about a
               specific animal, or any oral or written complaint about any animals or a specific
               owner being in violation of any section of this chapter.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Provocation</span> means any act that would reasonably be expected to cause an animal to defend itself,
               its young, its owner or keeper, or the property of said owner or keeper.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Puppy mill</span> means any sized commercial animal establishment that breeds multiple female dogs,
               of various breeds, often every heat cycle, producing puppies simultaneously and does
               not adhere to good breeding, care, and sales practices. Puppy mills are commercial
               operations that: (1) Sell puppies without screening of the purchaser; (2) Sell un-weaned
               (under eight weeks of age) or diseased puppies; (3) Isolate breeding dogs from human
               interaction in unhealthy, conditions; (4) House breeding dogs in crates, kennels,
               trailers, garages, barns, etc., without access to light or exercise or; (5) Do not
               provide adequate shelter, food, water, space, or veterinary care as defined in this
               chapter. Puppy mills are not permitted in Burke County.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Restraint.</span> An animal is under restraint within the meaning of this chapter if it is:
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (1)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Controlled by means of a chain, leash, or other like device;
                  
               </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (2)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  On or within a vehicle being driven or parked;
                  
               </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (3)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Within a secure enclosure; or
                  
               </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (4)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Within the dwelling house of the owner.
                  
               </p>
               		
               
            
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Sanitized</span> means physically clean and, to a practical minimum, removed of all agents injurious
               to health.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Secure enclosure</span> means:
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (1)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  A fully fenced pen, kennel or structure with a double security gate that shall remain
                  locked with a padlock or combination lock. Such a pen, kennel or structure must have
                  secure sides, minimum of five feet high, and the director may require a secure top
                  and bottom attached to the sides, or the sides must be embedded in the ground no less
                  than one foot. The structure must be in compliance with the county's zoning ordinance/building
                  code,
                  
               </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (2)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  A house or garage which shall have a latched door kept in good repair to prevent accidental
                  escape of the dog.
                  
               </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (3)
                  
               </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  A secure enclosure for a dangerous dog: a fully fenced pen, kennel, or structure at
                  least six feet in height, installed beneath the ground level or in concrete or pavement,
                  or a fabricated structure to prevent digging under it. Either enclosure shall be designed
                  to prevent the entry of children or unauthorized persons and to prevent those persons
                  from extending appendages inside the enclosure and be equipped with a self-closing
                  and self-latching gate. This structure shall remain locked with a padlock or combination
                  lock. A "dangerous dog" sign mandated by the animal services director must be posted
                  at the entry to the owner's or keeper's property and attached to the exterior of the
                  secure enclosure.
                  
               </p>
               		
               
            
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Severe injury</span> means any physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations
               or requires cosmetic surgery or hospitalization.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Spayed</span> means any female animal that has been operated upon to prevent reproduction.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Stray</span> means any domestic animal found within the county wandering at large that does not
               bear evidence of identification of any owner, not displaying a valid rabies tag, or
               having a tattoo, current microchip or any other identification.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Tethering</span> means to restrain a dog outdoors by means of a rope, chain, wire or product manufactured
               for the purpose of tethering a dog, one end of which is fastened to the dog and the
               opposite end of which is connected to a stationary object or to a cable or trolley
               system. This does not include walking an animal with a handheld leash.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Trap, neuter, and return (TNR) program</span> shall mean a nonlethal, humane alternative to deal with the stray cats which are
               captured, altered and returned back to their location in order to encourage the stabilization
               of the free-roaming cat population.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Vaccination</span> means the administration of rabies vaccine by a licensed veterinarian or by a certified
               rabies vaccinator.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Venomous reptile</span> means any animal that crawls or moves on its belly as a snake or on small, short
               legs as a lizard and has the capability of injecting humans or animals with venom
               which may cause death or physical injury.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Veterinary hospital</span> means any place or establishment which is maintained and operated under the supervision
               of a licensed veterinarian as a hospital where animals are harbored, boarded and cared
               for incidental to the treatment, prevention or alleviation of disease processes during
               the routine practice of the profession of veterinary medicine for surgery, diagnosis
               and treatment of diseases and injuries of animals.
               
            </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Wild animal</span> means any animal that is not normally domesticated or a domesticated animal that
               has returned to its natural wild state. A hybrid of any animal, regardless of genetic
               percentages, shall be deemed a wild animal. Feral/community cats are not considered
               wild animals.
               
            </p>
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. No.
               <a class="ordinance-link" href="" data-product-id="14529" data-ordinance-id="1036807">
                  2020-04
                  </a>
               , 8-18-2020; Ord. No.
               <a class="ordinance-link" href="" data-product-id="14529" data-ordinance-id="1110285">
                  2021-19
                  </a>
               , 10-5-2021)
               
            </p></div>