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Current through October 23, 2012
For the purposes of this subchapter:
(1)(A) The term "animal at large" means any animal found off the premises of its owner and neither leashed nor otherwise under the immediate control of a person capable of physically restraining it.
(B) The term "at large" does not include a dog in a dog park that is under the verbal command of a responsible adult.
(2) The term "animal shelter" means a District of Columbia government facility used by the Animal Care and Control Agency for the care and detention of animals.
(3) The term "dangerous animal" means an animal that because of specific training or demonstrated behavior threatens the health or safety of the public. The term "dangerous animal" does not include a dangerous dog as defined in § 8-1901(1).
(3A) The term "District-owned parkland" means outdoor property within the possession and control of the government of the District of Columbia.
(3B) The term "dog park" means an officially established off-leash dog exercise area on District-owned or federal parkland.
(4) The term "Mayor" means the Mayor of the District of Columbia or his designee.
(5) The term "owner" means a person in the District of Columbia who purchases or keeps an animal in temporary or permanent custody except as provided in § 8-1804.
(6) The term "vaccinated" means protected by a documented inoculation that the Mayor, consistent with the practices of veterinary medicine, determines is currently effective.
(Oct. 18, 1979, D.C. Law 3-30, § 2, 26 DCR 765; Oct. 18, 1988, D.C. Law 7-176, § 9(a), 35 DCR 4787; Dec. 10, 2005, D.C. Law 16-40, § 2(a), 52 DCR 9087; Dec. 5, 2008, D.C. Law 17-281, § 104(a), 55 DCR 9186.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 6-1001.
1973 Ed., § 6-2401.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 16-40, designated existing text of par. (1) as subpar. (1)(A); added subpar. (1)(B); and added pars. (3A) and (3B).
D.C. Law 17-281, in par. (2), substituted "Animal Care and Control Agency" for "Animal Control Agency".
Legislative History of Laws
Law 3-30, the "Animal Control Act of 1979," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 3-75, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on June 19, 1979 and July 3, 1979, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on August 7, 1979, it was assigned Act No. 3-80 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review.
For legislative history of D.C. Law 7-176, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 8-1901.
Law 16-40, the "Dog Park Establishment Amendment Act of 2005", was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 16-28 and was retained by Council. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on July 6, 2005, and September 20, 2005, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on October 4, 2005, it was assigned Act No. 16-182 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 16-40 became effective on December 10, 2005.
Law 17-281, the "Animal Protection Amendment Act of 2008", was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 17-89 which was referred to the Committees on Health and Public Safety and Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on July 1, 2008, and July 15, 2008, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on August 4, 2008, it was assigned Act No. 17-493 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 17-281 became effective on December 5, 2008.
Delegation of Authority
Delegation of authority under D.C. Law 3-30, the "Animal Control Act of 1979", see Mayor's Order 2000-97, June 14, 2000 (47 DCR 5275).
Delegation of Authority pursuant to D.C. Law 3-30, the Animal Control Act of 1979, see Mayor's Order 2009-38, March 23, 2009 (56 DCR 6774).
Miscellaneous Notes
Mayor authorized to issue rules: Section 2(f) of D.C. Law 9-236 provided that the Mayor may issue rules to implement the provisions of the act pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2.
