Oklahoma § 4-44 - Definitions

§ 4-44. Definitions

As used in Section 44 et seq. of this title:

1. "Potentially dangerous dog" means any dog that:

a.

when unprovoked inflicts bites on a human either on

public or private property, or

b.

when unprovoked attacks a dog which results in the

death of said dog either on public or private

property;

2. "Dangerous dog" means any dog that:

a.

has inflicted severe injury on a human being without

provocation on public or private property,

b.

has been previously found to be potentially dangerous,

the owner having received notice of such by the animal

control authority in writing and the dog thereafter

aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers the safety

of humans, or

c.

has been previously found to be potentially dangerous,

the owner having received notice of such by the animal

control authority in writing and the dog thereafter

attacks a dog which results in the death of said dog

either on public of private property;

3. "Severe injury" means any physical injury that results in

broken bones or lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic

surgery;

4. "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 with at least

one hundred fifty (150) square feet of space for each dog kept

therein which is over six (6) months of age, and which is suitable

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 4. Animals

to prevent the entry of 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;

5. "Animal control authority" means an entity acting alone or

in concert with other local governmental units for enforcement of

the animal control laws of the city, county and state and the

shelter and welfare of animals;

6. "Animal control officer" means any individual employed,

contracted with, or appointed by the animal control authority for

the purpose of aiding the enforcement of this act 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 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; and

7. "Owner" means any person, firm, corporation, organization,

or department possessing, harboring, keeping, having an interest in,

or having control or custody of an animal.

Added by Laws 1991, c. 199, § 1, eff. Feb. 1, 1992. Amended by Laws

2001, c. 159, § 1, emerg. eff. May 1, 2001; Laws 2006, c. 262, § 3,

emerg. eff. June 7, 2006.