Animal Ordinances

  1. Definitions
  2. Dogs
  3. Animals
  4. Impoundment
  5. Rabies
  6. Dang. Dogs
  7. Violations

DEFINITIONS

§ 6-101

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ANIMAL CONTROL AUTHORITY.  The Chadron Police Department.

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER.  Any individual employed, appointed, or authorized by an Animal Control Authority for the purpose of aiding in the enforcement of this chapter or any other law or ordinance relating to the licensure of animals, control of animals, or seizure and impoundment of animals and shall include any state or local law enforcement officer or other employee whose duties in whole or in part include  assignment that involves the seizure and impoundment of any animal.

ANIMAL SHELTER.  Any premises designated by the City of Chadron for the purpose of impounding and caring for all dogs and animals found running at large.

AT LARGE.  Any dog not confined by an adequate fence or on a leash either tied to a stationary object or held by a competent person on public or private property.

BITE or BITES.  To cut, tear, puncture, or lacerate skin with the teeth of an animal.

CHIEF OF POLICE.  An individual who is hired on an interim or full time basis to serve the duties as prescribed by the Chadron job description for the Chief of Police, and as authorized by law.  For the purpose of enforcement of this chapter, the Chief of Police may authorize a designee to serve in his or her place at times of his or her absence.

DANGEROUS DOG.  Any dog that, according to the record of an Animal Control Authority:  has killed or inflicted injury that requires medical treatment on a human being; has killed a domestic animal without provocation; or has been previously determined to be a potentially dangerous dog by an Animal Control Authority and the owner has received notice of the determination and the dog again inflicts an injury on a human being that does not require medical treatment, injures a domesticated animal, or endangers the safety of humans, or domestic animals.   A dog shall not be defined as a DANGEROUS DOG if the injury, damage or threat was sustained by a person who, at the time, was committing a willful trespass as defined in Neb. RS 20-203, 28-520, or 28-521, or any other tort upon the property of the owner of the dog, or who was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog, who has, in the past, been observed or reported to have tormented, abused, or assaulted the dog, or who has committing or attempting to commit a crime.

DOG.  Any canine over the age of six months.

DOMESTIC ANIMAL.  Any cat, or dog, or livestock.  Livestock includes buffalo, deer, antelope, fowl or any other animal in any zoo, wildlife park, refuge or any nature center intended to be an exhibit.

DOMESTICATED ANIMAL.  A tame animal that is subject to the dominion and control of an owner and accustomed to living in or near human habitation without requiring extraordinary restraint or unreasonably disturbing the human habitation.

EXPOSED TO RABIES.  A dog or any other animal has been EXPOSED TO RABIES if it has been bitten by, or exposed to, any animal known to have been infected with rabies.

HABITUALLY RUNNING AT LARGE.  Any dog or other animal that has been impounded in the City Animal Shelter or a warning or citation issued to the owner more than two times in any 12-month period and is again found running at large shall be considered to be habitually running at large within the City.  All dogs or other animals owned by the same owner shall be considered collectively for designation as HABITUALLY RUNNING AT LARGE, and where any and all dogs or other animals owned by the same owner have been impounded in the City Animal Shelter or have caused a warning or citation to be issued more than two times in any 12-month period, all other dogs or other animals of the same owner that are found running at large shall be considered to be HABITUALLY RUNNING AT LARGE within the City.

KENNEL.  Any person, firm, or corporation harboring, keeping, or owning more than three dogs at any one time.

LICENSED VETERINARIAN.  Any person practicing veterinary medicine and licensed under the Nebraska Veterinary Practice Act.

MEDICAL TREATMENT. Treatment administered by a physician or licensed health care professional.

MUTILATION. Intentionally causing permanent injury, disfigurement, degradation of function, incapacitation, or imperfection to an animal. MUTILATION does not include conduct performed by a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine and surgery in the state or conduct that conforms to acceptable veterinary practices.

OFFICER.  Any police officer, special services officer, or person employed by the City to enforce this chapter.

OWNER.  Any person, firm, corporation, organization, political subdivision, or department possessing, harboring, keeping, or having control or custody of a domestic or domesticated animal.

POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG.  Any dog that:

(a)    When  unprovoked, inflicts an injury that does not require medical treatment on a human or injures a domestic animal either on public or private property, or chases or approaches a person upon streets, sidewalks, or any  public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack; or

(b)   Is known to have a propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack, when unprovoked, to cause injury, or to threaten the safety of humans or domestic animals.

RESIDENTIAL UNIT or DWELLING UNIT. 

(a)    Any apartment, duplex, house, or other structure that serves as a place of permanent or temporary residence.  RESIDENTIAL UNIT and DWELLING shall be treated as one in the same and are interchangeable for purposes of this chapter. 

(b)   A single unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.

RESTRAINT.  A dog or any other animal is under restraint within the meaning of this chapter if it is controlled by a leash or chain held by a competent person, on or within a vehicle being driven or parked on public property, or within an adequate fence on the property limits of its owner or keeper.

REPEATED BEATING. Intentional successive strikes to an animal by a person resulting in serious bodily injury or death to an animal.

TORTURE. Intentionally subjecting an animal to extreme pain, suffering, or agony. TORTURE does not include conduct performed by a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine and surgery in this state or conduct that conforms to accepted veterinary practices.