§ 118-2. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings given herein:

ANIMAL

Any vertebrate member of the animal kingdom excluding human beings.

ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER

A facility designated by the City of Las Vegas for the humane treatment of animals pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

ANTIESCAPE

Any housing, fencing or device which the guard dog cannot go over, under, through or around.

BITE

Any actual puncture or tear of the skin inflicted by the teeth of an animal.

CITY

The City of Las Vegas, a municipal corporation.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

A. 

A portion of land and/or buildings zoned for or utilized for commercial or business uses in the City of Las Vegas, including temporary sites.

B. 

Any vehicle utilized for commercial or business purposes in the City of Las Vegas.

DANGEROUS ANIMAL

Any of the following:

A. 

An animal which, when unprovoked, engages in behavior that requires a defensive action by a person to prevent bodily injury to a person or animal when the person and the animal are off the property of the owner of the animal; or

B. 

An animal which, when unprovoked, injures a person and the injury results in muscle tears or disfiguring lacerations, or requires multiple sutures, or corrective or cosmetic surgery; or

C. 

An animal which, because of its poisonous bite or sting, would constitute a significant hazard to the public.

DESIGNATED AREA

An area of private land which is determined by a property owner to house animals under the provisions of this chapter.

ENCLOSED LOT

Parcel of land or portion thereof in private ownership around the perimeter of which a wall or fence has been erected.

ESTABLISHMENT

A place of business together with its grounds and equipment.

ESTRAY

Any animal found running at large beyond the boundaries of the premises of the owner.

GROOMING PARLOR

Any establishment, or part thereof, or premises maintained for the purpose of offering animals cosmetological services for profit.

GUARD DOG

Any dog that is utilized to protect commercial property, as defined herein.

HANDLER

A person who is responsible for and capable of controlling the operations of a guard dog.

HOBBY BREEDER

A person involved in showing or controlled breeding of dogs and cats which are registered with a nationally or internationally recognized animal registry organization.

HOUSING

Any location where the guard dog is kept when not utilized for protection purposes.

IMPOUND

To take up an animal.

KENNEL

Any commercial establishment or premises where 10 or more dogs or cats over three months of age are boarded, kept or maintained for any purpose whatsoever, with the exception of state inspected veterinary hospitals and shelters.

LICENSED VETERINARIAN

A person with a doctor of veterinary medicine degree licensed to practice in the state.

NUISANCE

Means, but is not limited to, defecation, urination, disturbing the peace, emitting noxious or offensive odors or otherwise endangering or offending the well-being of the inhabitants of the City of Las Vegas.

OWNER

The owner of an animal is a person who owns, harbors or keeps, or knowingly permits an animal to be harbored or kept, or has an animal in his care, or who permits an animal to remain on or about his premises.

PERSON

Any individual, household, firm, partnership, corporation, company, society, association, and every officer, agent or employee thereof.

PET SHOP

Any commercial establishment or premises or part thereof maintained for the purchase, sale, exchange or hire of animals of any type; except that the term shall not include livestock auctions.

PREMISES

A parcel of land and the structures thereon.

QUARANTINE

To detain or isolate an animal suspected of having a contagious disease.

REFUGE

An establishment owned or operated by a nonprofit organization whose sole function is to aide and comfort more than four but not more than 12 animals.

RUN or RUNNING AT LARGE

To be free of physical restraint beyond the boundaries of the premises of the owner.

SHELTER

Any establishment owned and operated by a nonprofit humane organization licensed to do business in the state.

VACCINATION

Protection provided against rabies by inoculation with antirabies vaccine recognized and approved by the state.

VICIOUS ANIMAL

Any animal which shall bite or in any other manner attack or attempt to attack any person, except that any animal that bites, attacks, or attempts to attack any person unlawfully upon its owner's or keeper's premises, or which is provoked to attack, shall not be deemed a vicious animal.

WILD OR EXOTIC ANIMAL

Any animal not normally considered domesticated and shall include, but not be limited to:

A. 

Class Reptilia; Order Phidia (such as racers, boas, water snakes, and pythons) and Order Loricata (such as alligators, caymans and crocodiles);

B. 

Following members of the Class Aves: Order Falconiforms (such as hawks, eagles and vultures) and Subdivision Ratitae (such as ostriches, rheas, cassowaries and cmus);

C. 

Class Mammalia: Order Carnifora, Family Felidae, (such as ocelots, margays, tigers, jaguars, leopards and cougars) except commonly accepted domesticated cats, the Family Canidae, (such as wolves, dingos, coyotes and jackels, except domesticated dogs) Emily Mustelidac, (such as kangaroos and common opossums), Order Edentata (such as sloths, anteaters and armadillos), Order Proboscidea (elephants), Order Primata (such as monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas), Order Rodenta (such as porcupines) and Order Ungulata (such as antelope, deer, bison, and camels).

Amended 6-16-1994 by Ord. No. 82-3