§ 4-15. Definitions as used in this article.

(a)

A dog or cat at large shall mean any dog or cat which is both:

(1)

Off the premises of the owner; and

(2)

Not under the direct physical custody, restraint and control by means of leash, chain or cord of the owner or other person.

(b)

Owner means any person, firm, corporation, or organization possessing, harboring, keeping, or having control or custody of an animal or, if the animal is owned by a person under the age of eighteen (18), that person's parent or guardian.

(c)

Dangerous dog shall mean any dog that according to the records of the animal control authority:

(1)

Has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property;

(2)

Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner's property;

(3)

Has been used primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or is a dog trained for dog fighting; or

(4)

Has, when unprovoked, chased or approached a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by one or more persons and dutifully investigated by the animal control authority.

(5)

Exclusions: The following shall not be considered to be a dangerous dog:

a.

If the threat, injury, or damage was sustained by a person who, at the time, was unlawfully on the property or, while lawfully on the property, was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog or its owner or a family member, which is documented as such in a police report; or

b.

If the dog was protecting or defending a human being, within the immediate vicinity of the dog from an unjustified attack or assault which is deemed a criminal activity, for which a police report documents; or

b.

A dog used by law enforcement officials for law enforcement work such as a canine unit; or

c.

Any dog that has killed or seriously injured another domestic animal while such dog is completely on the property of its owner; or

d.

A dog protecting its puppies less than eight (8) weeks of age; or

e.

Dogs under eight (8) weeks of age.

(d)

Terms contained in (c) above, and not otherwise provided within this section, shall be further defined as provided in Florida Statutes, Section 767.11, as may be amended from time to time.

(e)

The term bitten or bite, as used within this article, shall mean a bite inflicted by a dog, which at a minimum, punctures or breaks the tissue forming the external covering of the body or the skin segment of the integumentary system (which is composed of a layer of tissues that protect underlying muscles and organs).

(f)

"Animal control authority," pursuant to Florida Statutes, is hereby designated as the Lauderhill Police Department, and the Lauderhill Code Enforcement Department. A police officer and code enforcement officer are deemed an "Animal Control Officer" of the City of Lauderhill, pursuant to Florida Statutes.

(Ord. No. 06O-10-174, § 1, 11-13-06)