8.04.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter unless the context requires otherwise:
A. “Altered” means the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered.
B. “Animal” means any mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian.
C. “Animal control authority” means an entity acting alone or in concert with other local governmental units for the enforcement of the animal control laws of the city, county, and state and the shelter and welfare of animals.
D. “Animal control officer” means any individual employed, contracted with, or appointed by the animal control authority for the purpose of aiding in the enforcement of this chapter or any other law or ordinance relating to the licensure of animals, control of animals, or seizure and impoundment of animals, and includes any state, county or local law enforcement officer or other employee whose duties in whole or in part include assignments that involve the seizure and impoundment of any animal.
E. “Bail” means money or its equivalent deposited by the defendant to secure his appearance in court for an animal control ordinance offense.
F. “Cat” means any mammal of the feline family.
G. “Certificate of registration for dangerous dogs” means any document issued by the city pursuant to Chapter 16.08 RCW and this chapter.
H. “Dangerous dog” means (1) any dog that has inflicted severe injury or death on a human without provocation, (2) one that has killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner’s property, (3) aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of humans, or (4) when previously declared a potentially dangerous dog, chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, or bites a domestic animal. Dogs shall not 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 of the dog, or was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog or has, in the past, been observed or reported to have tormented, abused, or assaulted the dog or was committing or attempting to commit a crime.
In the event of a declaration of dangerous dog as a result of subsection (H)(4) of this section, an owner may have the dangerous dog declaration removed if the owner of the dog can show that since the incident or action giving rise to the declaration, the owner has enrolled in and successfully completed the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program, or a comparable course or program addressing dog ownership responsibilities offered by a similarly recognized entity, which alternate course or program and/or entity shall be approved by the city. In order to be eligible for such reversal of declaration, the owner must show proof of registration for the program or approved comparable course no more than thirty days after the declaration. The training must be successfully completed within six months. Pending successful completion of the course or program, all legal requirements for dangerous dogs, specifically including without limitation the requirements set forth in this chapter and in RCW 16.08.080 through 16.08.100, shall continue to apply. This provision for reversal of declaration shall not apply in instances where a dangerous dog declaration has been previously reversed because such training was given to the same owner for this or any other dog, or to any other person involving the same dog.
I. “Dog” means any mammal of the canine family.
J. “Dog running at large” means any dog off or outside the premises of the owner not restrained by a rope, line, leash, chain or other similar means or not under the immediate control, restraint or command of an owner thereof, except as permitted under MMC 9.28.065. If a dog is not restrained by a tether of some kind, is not at heel, or is not a working dog in the field, that dog shall be deemed “at large,” unless the dog is at an off-leash area for dogs.
K. “Domestic fowl” means female birds of the species Gallus gallus domesticus commonly known as chickens.
L. “Exotic animal” means any animal which, when in its wild state, or due to its size, habits, natural propensities, training or instinct, presents a danger or potential danger to human beings and is capable of inflicting serious physical harm upon human beings, and includes inherently dangerous mammals and reptiles as follows:
1. “Inherently dangerous mammal” means any live member of the Canidae, Felidae, or Ursidae families, including hybrids thereof, which, due to their inherent nature, may be considered dangerous to humans, and which includes:
a. Canidae, including any member of the dog (canid) family not customarily domesticated by man, or any hybrids thereof, including wolf hybrids which are a cross between a wolf and domestic dog, but not including domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Common names include wolf, coyote, jackal, hyena, fox, and all their hybrids;
b. Felidae, including any member of the cat family weighing over fifteen pounds not customarily domesticated by man, or any hybrids thereof, but not including domestic cats (Felis catus);
c. Ursidae, including any member of the bear family, or any hybrids thereof.
2. “Inherently dangerous reptile” means any live member of the class reptilia which:
a. Is venomous, including but not necessarily limited to all members of the following families: Helodermidae (beaded lizards including Gila monster, Mexican beaded lizard); Viperidae (vipers and adders); Crotalidae (pit vipers); Atraciaspididae (mole vipers); Hydrophilidae (sea snakes); and Elapidae (cobras); or
b. Is a “rear fanged” snake of the family Colubridae (rear fanged snakes) that are known to be dangerous to humans, including, but not necessarily limited to, all members of the following families: Dispholidus typus (boom-slang snake); Thebtornis kirtlandii (twig snake); and Rhabdophis ssp. (speckled belly keelback and red necked keelback); or
c. Is a member of the order Crocodilia (crocodiles, alligators, and caiman) over two feet in length.
M. “Farm animals” means cows, horses, sheep, and other similar animals. Swine and goats are not included.
N. “Grooming parlor” means any establishment, public or private, where animals are bathed, clipped, or combed for compensation.
O. “Habitual” means the repeated behavior of a dog to have been documented on more than three occasions within a six-month period.
P. “Kennel, commercial” means a place, other than the residence of the owner of the animals, where five or more dogs or cats, with permanent canine teeth or which are six months old or older, or any combination of dogs and cats, are cared for and boarded overnight, whether for compensation or not.
Q. “Kennel, personal” means a residence where five or more dogs or cats, with permanent canine teeth or which are six months old or older, or any combination of dogs and cats, are cared for and boarded overnight for more than thirty days in any consecutive twelve-month period.
R. “License” means a license required to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
S. “Licensing authority” means the city of Monroe planning and permitting department.
T. “Miniature goats” mean the types of goats commonly known as pygmy, dwarf, and miniature goats.
U. “Miniature potbelly pigs” shall mean that type of swine commonly known as the Vietnamese, Chinese, or Asian potbelly pig (Sus scrofa bittatus).
V. “Owner” means any person, firm, corporation, organization, or department possessing, harboring, keeping, having an interest in, or having control or custody of an animal.
W. “Pet shop” means any person or establishment that acquires, holds, or offers animals not bred and whelped from the facility for the purpose of sale or resale to the public.
X. “Potentially dangerous dog” means any dog which inflicts minor bites on a human or bites a domestic animal, or chases or approaches a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack.
Y. “Proper enclosure of a dangerous dog” means, while on the owner’s property, a dangerous dog shall be securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure, suitable to prevent the entry of young children and designed to prevent the animal from escaping. Such pen or structure shall have secure sides and a secure top, and shall also provide protection from the elements for the dog.
Z. “Severe injury” means any physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery.
AA. “Small animals” means dogs, cats, rabbits, and other similar animals which are customarily kept outdoors all or part of the time. The following animals are not subject to these regulations as small animals or domestic fowl:
1. Hamsters, gerbils, mice, and other similar animals which are customarily kept within a dwelling unit, unless such animals are kept outdoors.
2. Reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and turtles, which are customarily kept within a dwelling unit, unless such animals are kept outdoors.
3. Birds, such as parakeets and parrots, which are kept within a dwelling unit.
4. Fish.
5. Miniature potbelly pigs; provided, that no swine that is greater than twenty-two inches in height at the shoulder or more than one hundred fifty pounds in weight may be kept in the city.
6. Miniature goats, provided they are dehorned and the males are neutered.
7. Small animals less than six months old.
BB. “Veterinarian” means a practicing veterinarian licensed pursuant to the laws of the state to perform any of the acts set forth in RCW 18.92.010.
CC. “Veterinary hospital” means any business established, maintained and operated by a veterinarian which is operated for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or injuries of animals. (Ord. 022/2023 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 020/2014 § 1; Ord. 010/2013 § 1; Ord. 012/2011 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 002/2011 § 1; Ord. 005/2009 § 1; Ord. 025/2007 § 3; Ord. 1274, 2002; Ord. 981, 1991)