A. “Abandon” means to voluntarily release possession of an animal with the intent or apparent intent, of never again claiming an ownership or possessory interest in the animal.

B. “Abatement” means the termination of any violation by reasonable and lawful means determined by the dog control officer in order that a person or persons presumed to be the owner shall comply with this Chapter.

C. “Animal” means any nonhuman vertebrate.

D. “Animal control officer” means any person designated by the Chief of Police to carry out the provisions of this title.

E. “Animal shelter” means any premises designated by the City for the purpose of impounding and caring for animals held under authority of this Chapter.

F. “At large” means any animal off the premises of the keeper and not under control.

G. “Chief of Police” means the appointed Chief of the Kettle Falls Police Department or the person designated by the Chief of Police to act for the Chief during a period of the Chief’s absence from the City.

H. “Dangerous dog” means any dog that according to the records of the appropriate authority: (a) has inflicted severe injury on a human being without provocation on public or private property; (b) has killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner’s property; or (c) has been previously found to be potentially dangerous, the owner having received notice of such and the dog again aggresively bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of humans or domestic animals.

I. “Dog” means any member, male or female, of the genus canis familiaris.

J. “Domestic animal” means any tame animal raised or kept as a pet.

K. “Euthanasia” means the humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method that involves instantaneous unconsciousness and immediate death or by method that causes painless loss of consciousness and death during such loss of consciousness.

L. “Harboring” means maintaining any premises on which an animal remains or which it customarily returns daily for food. Care of an animal for a period of ten days or longer is presumed to be harboring or keeping the animal within the meaning of this Title.

M. “Keeper” means the owner of an animal or person or entity having the immediate care, custody, or control of an animal and any person apparently acting on behalf of a keeper with the express or implied permission of the keeper.

N. “Leash” means a rope, strap, or chain not more than ten (10) feet in length by which an animal is controlled, which is of sufficient strength to control an animal without breaking.

O. “Owner” means any person having an interest in or right of possession to a dog or any person having control, custody, or possession of a dog, or by reason of the dog being seen residing consistently at a location, shall be presumed to be the owner; provided that a veterinarian or kennel operator insofar as they keep dogs in the course of their business shall not be owners.

P. “Premises” means real property and its appurtenances.

Q. “Under control” means the restraint of an animal by means of a leash or other device that physically restrains the animal to the keeper’s immediate proximity, preventing the animal from trespassing upon the property of others or chasing other persons, animals, or motorized or non-motorized vehicles of any sort. An animal which is otherwise securely confined while in or upon any motor vehicle shall be deemed to be under control.

R. “Veterinary hospital” means any establishment maintained and operated by a licensed veterinarian for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of diseased or injured animals.

S. “Vicious” means the propensity to do any act that might endanger the safety of any person, animal or property of another, including, but not limited to, a disposition to mischief or fierceness as might occasionally lead to attack on human beings without provocation, whether in play or outbreak as an untrained nature.