§ 4-31. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Animal means any animal of a species that is susceptible to rabies, except man.

At large means on or off the premises of the owner and not under the control of the owner, or other persons acting for the owner. Any dog in a suitable enclosure which actually confines the dog shall not be considered to be running at large.

Collar means a band, chain, harness, or suitable device worn around the neck of a dog to which a license may be affixed.

Department means the state department of health services.

Dog means a member of the canis familiaris family.

Enforcement agent means that person in the county who is responsible for the enforcement of this article and the regulations promulgated hereunder.

Impound means the act of taking or receiving into custody by the enforcement agent any dog or other animal for the purpose of confinement in an authorized pound in accordance with the provisions of this article.

Kennel means an enclosed, controlled area, inaccessible to other animals, in which a person keeps, harbors or maintains five (5) or more dogs under controlled conditions.

Livestock means neat animals, horses, sheep, goats, swine, mules, and asses.

Owner means any person owning, keeping, possessing, harboring, or maintaining an animal other than livestock for more than six (6) consecutive days.

Pound means any establishment authorized by the enforcement agent for the confinement, maintenance, safekeeping, and control of dogs and other animals which come into custody of the enforcement agent in the performance of his official duties.

Rabies quarantine area means any area in which a state of emergency has been declared to exist due to the occurrence of rabies in animals in or adjacent to this area.

Rabies vaccination certificate means a method of recording and duplicating rabies information that is in compliance with the county enforcement agent's licensing system and/or county enforcement agent's prescribed forms.

Stray dog means any dog three (3) months of age or older running at large that is not wearing a valid license tag.

Vaccination means the administration of an anti-rabies vaccine to animals by a veterinarian, or in authorized pounds by employees trained by a veterinarian.

Veterinarian means any veterinarian licensed to practice in this state or any veterinarian employed in this state by a governmental agency.

Veterinary hospital means any establishment operated by a veterinarian licensed to practice in this state that provides clinical facilities and houses animals or birds for dental, medical, or surgical treatment. A veterinary hospital may have adjacent to it or in conjunction with it or as any integral part of it, pens, stalls, cages, or kennels for quarantine, observation, or boarding.

Vicious animal means any animal of the order carnivora that has a propensity to bite human beings without provocation, and has been so declared after a hearing before a justice of the peace or a city magistrate.

(Code 1972, § 4-101; Ord. No. 1826, § 1, 9-16-85; Ord. No. 1968, 7-20-87; Ord. No. 3535, § 1, 11-17-03)

State law reference

Similar provisions, A.R.S. § 11-1001.