§ 24-4. Definitions and word usage.

All words, terms or phrases used herein shall have the meanings indicated below or as defined in the Agriculture and Markets Law. If no specific definition is set forth, all words shall have their usual and customary meaning in the English language. Words used in the present tense include the future, and the plural includes the singular. The word "shall" is intended to be mandatory.

ADEQUATE SHELTER

A weatherproof, four-sided, roofed structure of sufficient size to allow the dog for which it is provided to lie down, stand up, and turn around inside it, but sufficiently small to allow the dog to conserve body heat during cold weather. It shall be constructed so that any metal parts, except nail and/or screw heads and similar small parts, shall not come into contact with the dog while it is inside the structure. Each dog shall have its own individual shelter. A vehicle shall not be considered adequate shelter, except when the dog is actually being transported in such vehicle (pursuant to the provisions of Article 26 § 353-b).

AT LARGE

Any dog that is unleashed and on property open to the public or is on private property not owned or leased by the owner of the dog unless permission for such presence has been obtained. No dog shall be deemed to be "at large" if it is accompanied by and under the immediate supervision and control of the owner or other responsible person; a police work dog in use for police work; or accompanied by its owner or other responsible person and is actively engaged in hunting or training for hunting on unposted land or on posted land with the permission of the owner of the land.

CLERK

The Town Clerk, or Deputy Town Clerk, of the Town of Oneonta or his or her agent.

DOG

Any member of the species canis familiaris.

DOG CONTROL OFFICER

Any individual appointed by the Town Board to enforce this article.

HABITUAL

An activity which occurs in repeated intervals of at least five minutes with less than two minutes of interruption.

HARBOR

To provide food or shelter to any dog.

IDENTIFICATION TAG

A tag issued by the Clerk that sets forth an identification number, as required by the provisions of this article.

IDENTIFIED

A dog carrying an identification tag as provided in this article.

OWNER

Any person who harbors or keeps any dog. In the event any dog found in violation of this article shall be owned by a person under 18 years of age, the "owner" shall be deemed to be the parent or guardian of such person or the head of the household in which said person resides.

SENIOR RESIDENT

Any resident of the Town age 65 or older.

TOWN

The Town of Oneonta.