Glasgow Definitions ordinance (§ 205.010)

As used in this Article, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this Section, unless the context otherwise indicates:

AT LARGE: Shall be construed to mean off the premises of the owner and not on a leash controlled by some person physically able to prevent the dog from escaping or from going off the premises of the owner. For purposes of this definition, a dog shall be considered at large even if on a leash not controlled by some person physically holding it, if the leash allows the dog to enter an alley, or street, or come within two (2) feet of a sidewalk, or otherwise enter an area used by the general public. DANGEROUS DOG

1. Any dog with the following characteristics shall be classified as "dangerous."

a. Any dog that has inflicted a severe or fatal injury on a human being on public or private property. "Severe injury" means any physical injury, resulting directly from a dog's bite, which results in broken bones or lacerations requiring stitches or patient hospitalization. The victim receiving severe injuries, as defined above, must provide the Chief of Police a signed physician's statement documenting injury and treatment qualifying such as a severe injury or sign an authorization for release of such statement.

b. Any dog that has killed a domestic animal, livestock, or poultry without provocation, while off the owner's property.

c. Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or any dog trained for dog fighting.

d. Any dog that has bitten a human being, without provocation, on public or private property other than the property of the owner.

e. Any dog which, while on the owner's property, has bitten, without provocation, a human being other than the owner or a member of the owner's family who normally resides at the place where the dog is kept.

f. Any dog which, when unprovoked, chases or approaches a person upon the street, sidewalks, or any public grounds, or private property other than property of the owner, in a menacing fashion or apparent attitudes of attack, regardless of whether or not a person is injured by said dog.

g. Any dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise threaten the safety of human beings or domestic animals.

2. Exemptions to "dangerous dog" classification:

a. With the exception of Subsection (1)(a) of this definition, no dog may be declared dangerous if the threat, injury or damage was sustained by a person who, at the time, was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises occupied by the owner or keeper of the dog, or was teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog or has, in the past, been observed or reported to have teased, tormented, abused or assaulted the dog or was committing or attempting to commit an offense.

b. With the exception of Subsection (1)(a) of this definition, a Police Officer may, because of extenuating circumstances, determine from the investigation of an incident, that an animal is not dangerous. However, the owner, being responsible for said dog, may be warned of the animal's tendencies and to take appropriate action to prevent subsequent incidences. This, however, does not exempt the owner from being cited for other animal control ordinance violations.

c. Dogs owned by governmental or law enforcement agencies when being used in the services of those agencies are exempt.

DOG: Shall be construed to mean all animals of the canine species.

NUISANCE DOG: The description "nuisance dog" shall apply if the dog annoys a resident of the City:

1. By repeated barking, howling or yelping; or

2. By repeated fighting; or

3. By one (1) or more occasions of chasing in a threatening manner any person; or

4. By digging or destroying shrubbery, vegetation, or other property on property other than that of the owner; or

5. By tearing into solid waste trash bags on property other than that of the owner; or

6. By repeated snarling and showing its teeth or lunging (even if otherwise restrained) in a threatening manner at persons who pass by on a public place (such as alleyways or sidewalks) or private property other than property of the owner even if the dog is on the owner's premises.

OWNER: Shall be construed to mean any person owning, keeping or harboring a dog without regard to whether another person has a better ownership claim to the dog and without regard to the time period during which a dog is kept or harbored. For purposes of enforcement of this Article, the keeper of a dog shall include any adult member of a household on the premises on which the dog is kept even if actual ownership is by a minor.