Title 20: Internal Security and Public Safety
Chapter 193: Domestic Pet or Wolf-Hybrid Control
§ 3541. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
"Commissioner" where no other department is referenced, means the commissioner of the department of agriculture, food and markets, and includes his or her designee.
"Domestic animal" means those animals defined by 6 V.S.A. § 1151(2).
"Domestic pet" or "pet" means any domestic dogs, domestic cats and ferrets. The term shall also include such other domestic animals as the commissioner shall establish by rule, provided that the commissioner finds that the animal has the potential to become an imminent danger to public health or welfare if not subjected to the provisions of this chapter.
"Ferret" means only the European ferret (Mustela putorious furo).
"Legislative body" means the legislative body of a town, city or incorporated village.
"Owner" means any person who owns a domestic pet or wolf-hybrid and includes any person who has actual or constructive possession of the pet or wolf-hybrid. The term also includes those persons who provide feed or shelter to a domestic pet or wolf-hybrid. However, it is not the intent of the general assembly to require a person to be responsible under this chapter for feral animals that take up residence in a building other than the person's home, even if the person occasionally provides feed to the animal.
"Respondent" means a person alleged to have violated any provision of this chapter.
"Wolf-hybrid" means an animal which is the progeny or descendant of a domestic dog (Canis familiaris) and a wolf (Canis lupus or Canis rufus). "Wolf-hybrid" also means an animal which is advertised, registered, licensed or otherwise described or represented as a wolf-hybrid by its owner or an animal which exhibits primary physical and behavioral wolf characteristics. The commissioner of the department of fish and wildlife shall adopt a rule describing primary physical and behavioral wolf characteristics. (Added 1993, No. 213 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 15, 1994.)
